Perfect for quick lunches, satisfying snacks, or even a customizable dinner option, Pizza Bagels in Air Fryer are so fun! Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and topped with all of your favorite pizza fixings.
Pizza Bagels in Air Fryer
These pizza bagels in air fryer are a quick and effortless way to satisfy your pizza cravings without making dough from scratch!
Using your air fryer speeds up the cooking process and ensures a perfect golden finish without turning on the oven. It also ensures that each bagel has a crispy edge and a warm, soft center — plus plenty of melty cheese, robust marinara sauce, and all your favorite pizza toppings, from pepperoni to bell peppers and onions.
This ingenious recipe combines the crispiness of toasted bagels with the savory goodness of pizza toppings, all perfectly cooked in the air fryer’s circulating heat.
Whether you’re whipping up a quick lunch, looking for a snack to share during game night, or wanting to involve the kids in a fun cooking activity, air fryer pizza bagels are the way to go.
So, grab your bagels, sauce, cheese, and toppings, and let’s get creative in the kitchen!
Need more Air Fryer Bagel Recipes? Check out my AIR FRYER PUMPKIN BAGELS, AIR FRYER BAGEL BREAKFAST SLIDERS, AIR FRYER BAGEL DOGS, LENDER’S BAGEL IN AIR FRYER, AIR FRYER 2 INGREDIENT BAGELS BITES, and AIR FRYER DUNKIN DONUTS CINNAMON RAISIN BAGEL!
Why You’ll Love My Pizza Bagels Air Fryer Recipe
- Quick and easy prep
- Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside
- Totally customizable — use whatever toppings you’d like!
- Minimal cleanup
- No excess oil
- Easy enough to make with your kids
- Serve for lunch, dinner, or a snack
Ingredients Needed for Air Fryer Pizza Bagels
This simple pizza bagels air fryer recipe transforms everyday ingredients into a mouth-watering treat that’s perfect for any time of day!
For complete ingredients and quantities, as well as the nutritional information, keep on scrolling until you get to the bottom with a printable recipe card.
- Bagels: The base of your pizza bagels air fryer recipe! Plain or whole wheat are the go-to in my house, but you could use any flavor you’d like (including gluten-free options). Choose fresh bagels for the best results — they’ll cook up crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
- Pizza Sauce: Your sauce is like the foundation that holds everything together. Again, use your preference! It could be homemade or store-bought, and you don’t even need to use a tomato sauce if you don’t like it. Pesto would also be great here!
- Cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts beautifully, creating a gooey and stretchy topping that’s essential for any air fryer pizza bagel. Its mild flavor complements the sauce and bagel without overpowering other toppings.
- More Toppings: Remember this is the fun part! I love pepperoni for a spicy and slightly smoky flavor, but veggies are always welcome too. Bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, or olives are some popular choices if you need some ideas.
- Italian Seasoning: A sprinkle of Italian seasoning on top adds an aromatic herb flavor that ties all the other ingredients together.
- Olive Oil (Optional): A light drizzle of olive oil before placing the pizza bagels in air fryer can help to crisp the edges and add a subtle richness to the crust.
How to Air Fry Pizza Bagels
Making pizza bagels in the air fryer is such a quick, easy, and delicious way to enjoy your favorite pizza flavors with a fun twist. Below you’ll find step-by-step directions that you can follow along as you go!
Step 1: Prep the bagels
Slice the bagels in half — if they aren’t already pre-sliced — so you have 8 pieces to work with.
Step 2: Add the sauce & toppings
Spread a generous amount of pizza sauce on each bagel half. Be sure to cover the surface but don’t add too much.
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce on each bagel half. The cheese acts as a delicious glue for other toppings, so be generous! Add the rest of your preferred toppings to the cheese.
Lightly sprinkle Italian seasoning over the toppings for an extra flavor boost.
Step 3: Air Fry
Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F for 2-3 minutes.
Place uncooked pizza bagels in air fryer basket and brush with oil if using. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
Air fry for 5-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the bagels are crispy.
Step 4: Serve
Carefully remove the pizza bagels from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute or two before serving. Enjoy your air fryer pizza bagels hot with a side of extra pizza sauce for dipping!
Pizza Bagels in the Air Fryer Pro Tips
- If you can, choose denser bagels. They provide a sturdy base that holds up well under the weight of the toppings and sauce, preventing sogginess.
- Go Easy With the Sauce: Apply your sauce of choice sparingly to avoid making the bagel base soggy. A thin, even layer is all you need!
- Pre-Cook Some Toppings: Pre-cook toppings like raw meats or thicker vegetables before adding them to ensure they’re fully cooked.
- Make sure to add the pizza bagels to air fryer in a single layer with some space around each for optimal air circulation. If you overcrowd them, they won’t cook evenly.
- Use Perforated Parchment Paper: If you’re worried about toppings falling through, place air fryer parchment paper (the kind with holes) in the basket before you add the bagels.
- Mix Up the Cheeses: Don’t shy away from experimenting with different types of cheese beyond mozzarella! Spicy Pepper Jack is an option, or you could use an Italian blend. Get creative!
- Garnish with Fresh Herbs: After cooking, add fresh herbs like basil or oregano on top. The residual heat will bring out their flavors without them wilting or burning.
- This is a great recipe for using up leftovers. Look through your fridge for anything that would make for a good topping. It’s a great way to prevent food waste!
- Keep an Eye on Cooking Time: All air fryer models vary, so check your pizza bagels around the 5-minute mark to prevent them from burning.
Pizza Bagels in Air Fryer Pro Tips
Yes! Remember that you can use any type of bagel, from plain to whole wheat to everything. Just remember that denser bagels tend to hold up better under the toppings. You can even use frozen bagels. For best results, thaw them first or extend the cooking time slightly to ensure they heat through evenly.
Use sauce sparingly and ensure any wet toppings (like vegetables) are pre-cooked or drained of excess moisture. Also, a light brushing of olive oil on the cut side of the bagel can help prevent sogginess.
Typically, pizza bagels need about 5-6 minutes in the air fryer at 375 degrees F. However, this can vary based on your air fryer model and the number of toppings used. Keep an eye on them and adjust as needed.
Yes, you can place pizza bagels directly in the air fryer basket. If you’re concerned about cheese or toppings falling through, you can use a perforated parchment paper liner designed for air fryers.
You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 2-3 minutes to restore their crispiness.
More Air Fryer Bagel Recipes
- AIR FRYER GLUTEN-FREE EVERYTHING BAGELS
- AIR FRYER KETO JALAPENO CHEDDAR BAGELS
- AIR FRYER HAWAIIAN BARBECUE BAGEL BITES
- AIR FRYER COPYCAT BANTAM BAGELS
- AIR FRYER APPLE CINNAMON BAGELS
- AIR FRYER FROZEN BAGELS
Don’t Forget To Pin!
Share Your Creations! Are you active on Facebook? Join our Air Fryer Recipes Group, where hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer enthusiasts gather and share your photos! I’m always thrilled to see what you’ve made. For those on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @forktospoon – I can’t wait to admire your culinary adventures!
Pizza Bagels in Air Fryer
Description
Ingredients
- 4 bagels, halved
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni slices, optional
- 1/4 cup Your choice of vegetables, e.g., sliced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, to taste
Instructions
- Start by slicing the bagels in half if they aren’t already pre-sliced. This will give you 8 pieces to work with.
- Spread a generous amount of pizza sauce on each bagel half. Be sure to cover the surface but avoid making it too soggy.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce on each bagel half. The cheese acts as a delicious glue for other toppings, so be generous.
- Place your chosen toppings, such as pepperoni and vegetables, on top of the cheese. Customize each piece to suit individual tastes.
- Lightly sprinkle Italian seasoning over the toppings for an extra flavor boost. This step is optional but recommended for that authentic pizza taste.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This ensures a crispy base and evenly melted cheese.
- Place the prepared bagel halves in the air fryer basket. If needed, brush a light coating of olive oil on the bagel edges to enhance crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Cook for about 5-6 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges of the bagels are crispy.
- Carefully remove the pizza bagels from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute or two before serving. This short wait makes them easier to handle and allows flavors to meld.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
Share this recipe
We can’t wait to see what you’ve made! Mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!
