Introduction
Remember coming home from school, absolutely starving, and needing a snack that was fast? Or maybe you just need a super speedy dinner idea that everyone in the family will actually eat? Well, get ready for a major nostalgia trip, because we’re making Pizza Bagels! But forget firing up the big oven or waiting around – we’re doing it the absolute quickest, easiest way: in the air fryer. Seriously, these little gems are ready in under 10 minutes, total time. They’re warm, cheesy, pepperoni-packed bites of pure comfort, and they couldn’t be simpler to whip up.
I rediscovered Air Fryer Pizza Bagels recently when I needed something right now and realized I had all the ingredients. The air fryer makes the bagels perfectly toasted and the cheese wonderfully bubbly and golden. It’s a game changer for a classic favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, talking minutes here!
- Easy: Minimal ingredients, minimal steps, minimal cleanup.
- Giftable: Okay, maybe not giftable unless you’re making a batch for a friend, but they’re definitely shareable!
- Crowd-pleasing: Kids love them, adults love them, everyone loves pizza!
- Perfectly Toasted: The air fryer gives the bagel a fantastic texture.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is half the battle, and for these Pizza Bagels, it’s ridiculously easy. You probably have most of this on hand!
- 2 bagels: Any kind you like! Plain, everything, sesame – they all work. Just grab your favorite.
- 4 tablespoons pizza sauce: Use your go-to jarred sauce, or even some leftover marinara. About 2 tablespoons per bagel half does the trick.
- 16 pepperoni slices: The classic choice! Feel free to adjust this amount based on how much pepperoni love you need in your life.
- 3-4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded: The melty, gooey star! Freshly shredded melts beautifully, but pre-shredded works just fine too.
- Other toppings of your choice: Get creative! Think chopped veggies, other meats, a sprinkle of Italian seasoning… whatever makes your pizza happy.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s turn these simple ingredients into cheesy, bubbly perfection. It’s so easy, you almost don’t need instructions, but I’ll walk you through it!
- First things first, slice your bagels in half horizontally. This gives you the perfect base for your mini pizzas.
- Next, spread about 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce evenly over the cut side of each bagel half. Don’t go too heavy, or things can get a little soggy.
- Now for the fun part: layering! Place your pepperoni slices (or other toppings) over the sauce.
- Pile that delicious shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the toppings. Don’t be shy!
- Carefully place the prepared bagel halves into your air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer so the air can circulate properly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook them in batches. I can usually fit two halves comfortably in mine.
- Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 5-8 minutes. Cooking times can vary depending on your air fryer model and how crispy you like your bagels. You’ll know they’re ready when the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden around the edges, and the bagel edges look nicely toasted.
- Carefully remove the hot pizza bagels from the air fryer. I usually use tongs or a small spatula.
- Let them cool for just a minute or two (that cheese is hot!) before diving in.
Substitutions & Additions
This basic recipe is amazing, but it’s also a fantastic jumping-off point for creativity! Feel free to mix things up:
- Different Bagels: Try mini bagels for smaller snacks, or different flavors like onion or garlic bagels for extra punch. Gluten-free bagels work too!
- Sauce Swaps: No pizza sauce? Try pesto for Pesto Pizza Bagels! A little BBQ sauce could even be fun.
- Veggie Power: Add finely diced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, black olives, or even some spinach (press out excess water first).
- Meat Lovers: Cooked sausage crumble, bacon bits, or diced ham are great additions.
- Cheese Please: Mix in some shredded cheddar, provolone, or a sprinkle of parmesan for extra flavor.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes on top before cooking adds a nice kick.
- Herb Heaven: Sprinkle with dried oregano, basil, or Italian seasoning.
Tips for Success
Making Air Fryer Pizza Bagels is pretty foolproof, but here are a couple of tips to make sure yours are absolutely perfect every time:
- Don’t Overcrowd: This is key for air frying! Give the bagels space so the hot air can circulate and make them crispy, not soggy. Cook in batches if needed.
- Watch Them Closely: Air fryers vary! The first time you make these, check on them after 4-5 minutes. They can go from perfectly golden to burnt edges pretty quickly.
- Consider a Liner: Some people like using perforated parchment liners made for air fryers for easier cleanup. Just make sure it’s weighted down by the food so it doesn’t fly up and hit the heating element.
- Prep Ahead: You can slice the bagels and measure out the sauce and cheese ahead of time if you’re making a big batch for a party or meal prep. Just assemble right before air frying.
How to Store It
Okay, leftovers aren’t usually a problem with these because they disappear so fast! But if you do have some:
Let them cool completely. Store leftover pizza bagels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
To reheat, the air fryer is your best friend again! Pop them back into the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melty again. This keeps the bagel from getting soggy like a microwave can.
FAQs
Got questions? I’ve got answers!
Can I use frozen bagels?
Yes, just make sure they are fully thawed before slicing and adding toppings.
What’s the best temperature and time for air frying?
I recommend starting with 375°F (190°C) for 5-8 minutes. Always watch during the last few minutes as air fryers can cook differently. Adjust based on how crispy you like the bagel and how bubbly you like the cheese.
Can kids make these?
Absolutely! With adult supervision, especially for slicing the bagels and using the hot air fryer, this is a great recipe for kids to help with. They love customizing their own toppings!
Can I make a big batch for a party?
Yes! You’ll just need to cook them in batches in your air fryer. You can assemble them all ahead of time and then just pop them into the air fryer as needed.
Easy Air Fryer Pizza Bagels
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- tongs or spatula for removing hot bagels
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 bagels Any kind you like (plain, everything, sesame, etc.). Gluten-free bagels also work.
- 4 tablespoons pizza sauce About 2 tablespoons per bagel half.
- 16 pepperoni slices Adjust quantity as desired.
- 3 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese Use 3-4 ounces. Freshly shredded melts beautifully, but pre-shredded works just fine too.
- other toppings of your choice Optional: chopped veggies (bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, spinach), other meats (sausage, bacon bits, ham), different cheeses (cheddar, provolone, parmesan), spices (red pepper flakes, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning).
Instructions
- First things first, slice your bagels in half horizontally. This gives you the perfect base for your mini pizzas.
- Next, spread about 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce evenly over the cut side of each bagel half. Don’t go too heavy, or things can get a little soggy.
- Now for the fun part: layering! Place your pepperoni slices (or other toppings) over the sauce.
- Pile that delicious shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the toppings. Don’t be shy!
- Carefully place the prepared bagel halves into your air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer so the air can circulate properly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook them in batches.
- Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 5-8 minutes. Cooking times can vary depending on your air fryer model and how crispy you like your bagels. You’ll know they’re ready when the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden around the edges, and the bagel edges look nicely toasted.
- Carefully remove the hot pizza bagels from the air fryer. I usually use tongs or a small spatula.
- Let them cool for just a minute or two (that cheese is hot!) before diving in.