Since homemade hot pockets are a favorite at my house, I decided to tackle another freezer section snack my kids love: Bagel Bites. How long it takes: 15 minutes Equipment you’ll need: air fryer Servings: 8 bagel bites Like seriously, why have I been buying frozen bagel bites all these years when I could have just been making them at home?! They’re basically English muffin pizzas, but with bagels! This is not one of those recipes where the DIY version is labor-intensive. These air fryer bagel bites are incredibly easy and taste way better than the ones you buy at the store. Win-win!
Reasons to Love Air Fryer Bagel Bites
Air fried to crispy perfection. You don’t need that special microwave cooking tray that never seems to really work anyway. Using the air fryer to make these bagel bites makes the bagels crisp and delicious. Kid-approved (but adults also love them). My kids love anything with pizza flavors—pizza burgers, pizza chicken, pizza sliders. But you know what? I love pizza too! So does my husband! So does everyone, right? You simply can’t go wrong with these air fryer bagel bites, whether you serve them up for an after school snack or a game day get-together. So easy to make. If your kids are old enough to pop frozen store-bought bagel bites in the microwave, they’ll be able to put these air fryer bagel bites together too. Another option is to make a big batch and freeze them for later. (Pizza quesadillas are another kid-friendly option.) Endlessly customizable. When you make your own bagel bites you can top them with whatever you like. (If you’re on Team Pineapple on Pizza, you’re in luck!)
Ingredient List
Mini Bagels: You can usually find mini bagels sold in bags near the shelf-stable bagels (i.e., the ones sold in the bread aisle, not the bakery). Be aware that mini bagels are typically a bit larger than the frozen pre-made bagel bites, depending on what brand is available to you, as you can see in our photos. Pizza Sauce: Choose your favorite whether it’s homemade pizza sauce, store-bought sauce, marinara or another pasta sauce. You can even omit the sauce if you prefer. Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: A shredded Italian cheese blend will also work if your kids are fancy like that. Chopped Pepperoni: You’ll need to chop it to a size that fits onto the mini bagels. Mini pepperonis will also work.
How to make Air Fryer Bagel Bites
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and slice the bagels in half if they aren’t sliced already. Arrange the bagel halves in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spread the pizza sauce on each bagel half, then top with the mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Air fry for about 5 minutes, or until the bagel bites are toasted and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove the bagel bites from the air fryer and let them cool a bit before serving. Bagel bites make a great snack but they also go well with a bowl of soup or a salad for a complete meal. Try serving air fryer bagel bites with homemade vegetable soup or Instant Pot minestrone soup.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Microwave: We don’t recommend cooking these in the microwave. You’ll be able to melt the cheese and warm the bagels but the bagel bites won’t be crispy. The bagels will get quite tough. Oven: You can bake your bagel bites in a preheated 350ºF oven for about 10 minutes, or until they’re crispy and the cheese has melted. This will also work in a toaster oven. Toaster Oven: Just like the oven, bake your bagel bites in a preheated 350ºF toaster oven for 10 minutes, or until they’re crispy and the cheese has melted.
Made-To-Order Bagel Bites
You can use any topping (or combination of toppings) for these air fryer bagel bites. Try not to overload them. A half cup total for all the bagel bites is about right. Here are some ideas:
Green or black olives Cooked ham, diced finely Cooked bacon (make air fryer bacon before you make the bagel bites) Cooked sausage Finely diced bell peppers Thinly sliced red onion Pineapple tidbits, drained well
Make Ahead Ideas
To freeze: Top the bagel halves with the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni. Set them on a large plate or small sheet pan and freeze them until they’re solid. Transfer the frozen bagel bites to an airtight container or freezer bag and store them for up to 3 months. To cook frozen bagel bites: Air fry them in a single layer at 360ºF for 6 to 7 minutes. There’s no need to thaw them first.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Refrigerate: If you have bagel bites left over, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep for up to 3 days. Reheat: Heat the bagel bites in the air fryer to re-crisp them, or warm them up in the microwave (they won’t be as crispy).
