This bagel bites air fryer recipe is the best way to make homemade pizza bagel bites. Buttery toasted mini bagels are a crispy base for these saucy, cheesy bagel bites cooked to perfection in the air fryer.
For more bite-sized recipes, check out Air Fryer Steak Bites, Cajun Garlic Butter Salmon Bites, and Mini Sausage McGriddle.
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This bagel bites air fryer recipe takes just 20 minutes to make. It is a quick, easy, and kid-friendly snack that is so good, the adults will love it too! Enjoy it as a midday snack, light lunch, or party appetizer.
When I say bagel bites, I am not talking about the frozen bagel bites from the frozen foods section of the grocery store. Although I love frozen bagel pizza bites as a nostalgic treat, they don't taste nearly as good as these! Homemade bagel bites are a delicious upgrade, made with all your favorite pizza toppings.
Ingredients You Need:
To make homemade bagel bites you need mini bagels, unsalted butter, garlic powder, dried parsley flakes, and pizza sauce. For toppings gather mozzarella cheese, cooked and crumbled Italian sausage, and pepperoni.
How to Cook Bagel Bites in Air Fryer:
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and line the tray with parchment paper or foil. Melt butter with garlic powder and parsley flakes in the microwave.
Then place mini bagel halves on the tray, avoiding overcrowding. Brush bagels with garlic butter and air fry for 2 minutes to toast.
Then spread pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, Italian sausage, and pepperoni on lightly toasted bagels.
Return them and cook for 5-7 minutes until the cheese melts.
Serve with marinara sauce and ranch dressing. Enjoy your air fryer bagel bites!
How to Make Bagel Bites in the Oven:
If you can't air fryer bagel bites, prepare pizza bagels in the oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange mini bagel halves on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Top each half with pizza sauce, cheese, and your favorite toppings, then bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
How Long to Cook Bagel Bites Air Fryer
It takes less than 10 minutes to cook bagel bites in the air fryer. We toast the bagels by themselves for 2 minutes, then assemble them and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes. The precise cook time may vary depending on your air fryer.
Alternatives and Variations:
- Toppings: Swap any of the toppings for mushrooms, peppers, or bacon.
- Shredded Cheese: Instead of shredded mozzarella cheese, try parmesan, gouda, or even cream cheese.
Pro-Tips:
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your air fryer. Keep an eye on pizza bites in the air fryer for more than 5 minutes.
- Toast the mini bagels before assembling homemade pizza bites. This gives the bites a sturdier base for all your toppings.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket or tray. Make sure they do not overlap and are in a single layer. This allows the bagel bites to properly crisp up so they are not soggy.
Storing and Reheating:
Store leftover air fryer bagel bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, pop them in the air fryer for about 2-3 minutes at 375°F.
FAQ:
Why are my bagel bites soggy?
Avoid soggy bagel bites by pre-toasting the bagels, and not overcrowding the air fryer, or using too much pizza sauce.
How do you make homemade bagel bites?
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and prepare a tray with parchment paper or foil. Melt butter with garlic powder and parsley, then brush onto halved mini bagels. Toast bagels in the preheated air fryer for 2 minutes, then add your toppings. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.
What can I serve with bagel bites?
Serve bagel bites with sauces like marinara sauce and ranch dressing. For kids, serve them with fries and fruit for a balanced meal. You can also add them to a fun charcuterie board or eat them with a salad.
More Pizza Recipes to Try
- Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Pizza
- Pepperoni Pizza Dip
- Mini Pizza Cups Recipe
- Better Than Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
- Cheesy Breakfast Pizza with Sausage Ham and Eggs
- Pepperoni Pizza Potato Skins
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 mini Bagels
- 3 tablespoons Butter unsalted
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried parsley flakes
- 2 cups Pizza sauce
Toppings:
- 4 cups Mozzarella shredded
- 1 cup Italian sausage cooked & crumbled
- ½ cup Pepperoni
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Line the air fryer tray with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Add your butter into a small microwave safe bowl and sprinkle in the garlic powder and parsley flakes. Microwave for 30 seconds, or until the butter is melted.
- Open the mini bagels and place each half onto the lined air fryer tray. Careful not to overcrowd the tray (may have to cook in batches).
- Use a basting brush or a spoon to brush the garlic butter over each bagel. Place them in the air fryer for 2 minutes so that they can toast up a bit.
- Remove the bagels from the air fryer and start assembling the pizza bites. Spoon some of the
- pizza sauce over each bagel and spread it out evenly.
- Now sprinkle some mozzarella cheese over each bagel half, followed by your Italian sausage and pepperoni (or any other toppings you’d like).
- Place the bagel bites back into the air fryer and allow them to cook for 5-7 minutes. Just enough for the cheese to get nice and melty.
- Remove them from the air fryer and serve with more marinara sauce and ranch dressing. And enjoy!
Yolanda says
Amazing