Name: Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 mini bagels, halved; 1/4 cup pizza sauce; 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, freshly grated; Mini pepperoni, quantity as desired

There’s something undeniably satisfying about warm, melty mini bagel treats, and that’s exactly what this Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe delivers. It’s a quick, fuss-free way to enjoy a bite-sized pizza fix with a perfectly crispy edge and gooey cheese every single time. You don’t even need to fire up the oven!

Several small round pizzas are shown on crumpled brown parchment paper, each with a visible base layer of red tomato sauce topped with a thick layer of melted golden yellow cheese, some parts slightly browned and bubbly. One pizza has small, evenly spread slices of reddish-brown sausage on top of the cheese. The pizzas have light tan crusts that are thin and slightly crispy around the edges. The image is taken from above, showing the pizzas closely arranged with no plate visible, on a subtle crumpled paper surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I adore how quickly you can whip up these Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe snacks whenever hunger strikes. They’re just the right size for snacking or sharing, and the air fryer makes them perfectly crispy without any greasiness or extra fuss.

Super Quick: From fridge to table in under 5 minutes, it’s the ultimate speedy snack.
Crispy & Gooey: The air fryer crisps the bagel edges while melting the cheese wonderfully.
Endlessly Customizable: Swap sauces and toppings to match your mood or dietary needs.
Perfect Portion Sizes: Mini bagels make it easy to control servings and share without any leftovers.

Six small pizzas are placed in two vertical columns on a black wire cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each pizza has two to three layers: a thin round base in light beige, a spread of bright red tomato sauce just inside the edges, and a top layer of melted cheese in golden yellow with some browned spots. Four of the pizzas have scattered small round brown sausage slices on the cheese, while two pizzas are just cheese without toppings. The cheese looks bubbly and slightly browned, giving a warm and fresh baked appearance. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The ingredients for this Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe bring together familiar flavors in a way that’s comfortingly simple but still delicious. You’ll want good-quality mini bagels as your base for that satisfying chew, and fresh mozzarella to get a beautifully melty topping.

Flat lay of four mini bagel halves topped with bright red pizza sauce, piles of freshly grated mozzarella cheese, and small, round mini pepperoni slices, arranged neatly and invitingly with a few scattered mozzarella shreds around, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Mini bagels: The perfect size for bite-sized treats; go for fresh ones rather than stale for best texture.
Pizza sauce: Brings that classic tangy, herby flavor; homemade or store-bought both work just fine here.
Mozzarella cheese: Freshly grated melts evenly and gives that quintessential gooey pull we all love.
Mini pepperoni (optional): Adds a spicy, savory kick—feel free to leave out or swap for veggie toppings if you prefer.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with flavors here. Sometimes, swapping the pizza sauce out for a pesto or BBQ sauce completely changes the vibe and keeps this recipe exciting to make over and over. You’ll find your favorite combos in no time.

Variation: My go-to twist is using a mix of four cheeses—mozzarella, parmesan, goat cheese, and cheddar—for a richer, cheesier bite. It’s heavenly.
Sweet Style: For dessert, try topping with cream cheese, a smear of Nutella, chopped bananas, or strawberry jam. These sweet bagel bites are a total game-changer.
Diet-Friendly: Use gluten-free mini bagels and dairy-free cheese alternatives to keep it allergy-friendly without sacrificing flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Mini Bagel Halves

Slice your mini bagels in half if they aren’t pre-cut already. Lay them out flat and spread about a tablespoon of pizza sauce evenly on each half. I like using the back of my spoon to get a nice even layer without soaking the bread too much.

Step 2: Sprinkle on the Cheese and Toppings

Grate fresh mozzarella right onto each bagel half—don’t skimp here, the cheese is the star! Add mini pepperoni or your preferred toppings. Keep them small so each bite is well balanced and cooks evenly.

Step 3: Air Fry to Melty Perfection

Place the prepared bagels in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Set temperature to 180°C (350°F) and cook for about 4 minutes. Keep an eye on them—once the cheese is melted and slightly bubbly, they’re ready. Repeat with any remaining bagel halves if you have more.

Top Tip

From countless batches of these bagel bites, a few simple tips made all the difference between a so-so snack and perfection. Trust me, these will save you time and keep your bagels crispy every time.

Avoid sogginess: Don’t overload on sauce; a thin layer keeps the base firm and crispy.
Arrange bagels single layer: Overlapping in the air fryer basket can lead to uneven cooking.
Use fresh cheese: It melts better and browns more nicely than pre-shredded packages.
Watch your timer: 4 minutes is usually perfect—any longer and you risk drying them out.

How to Serve Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe

air fryer bagel bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like finishing mine with a sprinkle of fresh basil or a pinch of chili flakes for a little kick. A drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil right after cooking also adds a lovely aromatic touch that takes these bagel bites up a notch.

Side Dishes

Pair your bagel bites with a simple green salad to balance the richness or some crunchy carrot sticks and ranch dip for a fun party platter. They also make a perfect side to a warm bowl of tomato soup if you want a cozy combo.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to serve these on a wooden board, sprinkled with herbs and surrounded by small bowls of assorted dips. Another fun trick is to thread several bagel bites onto skewers for easy grab-and-go finger food.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover bagel bites keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. I recommend reheating in the air fryer to keep them crispy instead of the microwave, which can make them soggy.

Freezing

I love making a big batch and freezing extras. Just flash freeze them on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. They freeze beautifully for up to three months and are perfect for a quick snack anytime.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop frozen or refrigerated bagel bites back into the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 3–4 minutes. This crisps them up just like freshly made, keeping the cheese melty and delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular-sized bagels instead of mini ones?

Absolutely! Regular bagels work fine, just slice them into smaller bite-sized pieces or halves to keep cooking times consistent and the bites manageable.

What’s the best kind of cheese to use?

Fresh mozzarella is my favorite because it melts beautifully and has a wonderful mild flavor, but a blend with parmesan or cheddar adds depth. Avoid overly processed shredded cheeses for best results.

Can I make these vegetarian or vegan?

Yes! For vegetarians, simply omit the pepperoni or swap for veggie pepperoni. For vegans, choose dairy-free cheese alternatives and use veggie-based sauces. The air fryer method works perfectly for these swaps.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

No worries! You can bake these bagel bites in a conventional oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese melts and edges crisp, though the air fryer gives quicker, crispier results.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe has been a lifesaver for me on busy days when I want something warm and satisfying but don’t want to fuss or lose time. They’re flexible, fast, and just downright delicious — the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again. Give them a try, and I bet they’ll become a new favorite snack in your kitchen too.