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 slices (quantity as desired)

There’s something so comforting about warm, melty little bites with a crispy edge, and this Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe hits that spot every time. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for when you want a snack that feels a little indulgent but comes together in minutes.

The image shows several small round pizzas on a crinkled brown paper background. Each pizza has three visible layers: a light beige thin crust base, a bright red tomato sauce spread evenly on top, and a golden-brown melted cheese layer that covers most of the surface with some bubbling and browning spots. Some pizzas have small round slices of pepperoni scattered across the cheese layer. One of the pizzas near the top left corner is shaped like a heart, with all its layers matching the others. The background texture is changed to white marble. 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 can’t tell you how many times this recipe has saved the day in my kitchen — whether it’s a last-minute snack for friends or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up for myself. It's a game changer because it’s so simple yet completely satisfying.

Speedy Snack: You can go from fridge to table in under 5 minutes, which is perfect when hunger strikes suddenly.
Customizable: Easy to switch up your toppings, sauces, and cheeses to keep things interesting.
Crispy & Melty: The air fryer crisps the bagel just right while getting the cheese beautifully gooey.
Kid-Friendly: These are a huge hit with the little ones and make a perfect after-school snack or lunchbox addition.

Six mini bagel pizzas are placed on a black wire rack over a white marbled surface. Each bagel is topped with a layer of bright red tomato sauce spread evenly over the top half of the bagel, followed by a thick, bubbly layer of melted golden-yellow cheese that has browned slightly from baking. Three of the bagel pizzas have small round slices of brown sausage scattered on top of the cheese. The bagels have a light, slightly toasted brown crust visible around the edges. The wire rack grid creates a neat pattern beneath the bagels, and the photo has a clean, bright look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe lies in its simplicity. Using minimal, fresh ingredients that come together beautifully means anyone can make these little treats without fuss.

Flat lay of four mini bagels halved, a small bowl of bright red pizza sauce, a generous pile of freshly grated mozzarella cheese, and neatly arranged mini pepperoni slices, all beautifully set with vibrant colors and textures contrasting, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Mini bagels: The perfect canvas — their size makes them snack-friendly and they crisp beautifully in the air fryer.
Pizza sauce: Offers that classic tang and depth of flavor that pairs perfectly with melty cheese.
Mozzarella cheese: Freshly grated for that melt and stretch factor that makes bagel bites irresistible.
Mini pepperoni (optional): Adds a savory, slightly spicy bite that’s a classic pizza topping favorite.

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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 switching things up depending on my mood or the ingredients I have on hand. This recipe is like a blank canvas — trust me, you’ll want to experiment once you get the basics down.

Variation: One of my favorite twists is swapping the pizza sauce for pesto — it brings a fresh, herby flavor that’s just fantastic.
Cheese blends: Try mixing mozzarella with parmesan or cheddar for a richer taste. I once made a four-cheese combo that blew everyone away.
Sweet versions: For dessert, spread cream cheese and add your favorite jam or sliced bananas — a fun way to end the day!

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

Step 1: Prepping The Bagels

Start by slicing your mini bagels in half. Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce on each cut side — not too much or it will get soggy. Then sprinkle the mozzarella cheese generously; I like enough to cover the surface so it melts perfectly. If you’re adding pepperoni, now’s the time to top them off.

Step 2: Air Fry to Perfection

Place the bagel halves in a single layer inside your air fryer basket. Set your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and cook for about 4 minutes. Keep an eye on them — you're looking for that golden, bubbly cheese and crispy edges on the bagel. You might want to adjust time slightly depending on your air fryer model.

Step 3: Serve and Enjoy

Once out of the air fryer, let your bagel bites cool just a bit — the cheese will be hot and melty! Then dig in or set them out for friends and family. They rarely last long at my house.

Top Tip

After making this Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe a dozen times, these tips really helped me get the best texture and flavor every time.

Use Freshly Grated Cheese: It melts more evenly and gives you those stringy, delicious bites you crave.
Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Give each bagel some space so hot air circulates well — that’s what gives you the perfect crisp.
Adjust Timing Slightly: Air fryer wattage can vary. Start with 4 minutes and tweak if your cheese isn’t bubbly enough or the bagel isn’t crisp.
Watch the Sauce Amount: Too much sauce will make the bagel soggy, so a thin, even spread works best.

How to Serve Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe

Garnishes

I like sprinkling a little chopped fresh basil or some dried oregano right after air frying — it adds a lovely aroma and pop of color. Sometimes a drizzle of hot honey or chili oil gives an exciting sweet-spicy kick.

Side Dishes

This pairs beautifully with a crisp side salad or some roasted veggies if you want a more balanced snack or light meal. For casual get-togethers, crunchy carrot sticks and ranch dip are an easy, tasty match.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange a platter with different dipping sauces like garlic aioli, spicy marinara, or a creamy blue cheese dip. Adding colorful veggies and some fresh herbs around makes it look inviting and fun — people always ask for seconds!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, I store any leftover bagel bites in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to three days without compromising texture or flavor.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these bites several times wrapped in foil and placed in a freezer bag. They freeze beautifully and can last up to three months. Perfect for prepping snacks in advance.

Reheating

To reheat, pop them back into a preheated air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 3-4 minutes. This revives their crispiness and melty cheese without drying them out like a microwave would.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular-sized bagels for this recipe?

You absolutely can, but keep in mind they’ll take a little longer to cook and won’t be as snack-sized. You might want to slice them into quarters or halves and adjust cooking time accordingly. Mini bagels are easiest for perfect bite-sized portions.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can bake these in a conventional oven on a baking sheet at 375°F (190°C) for around 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, but the bagels won’t get as crispy as with an air fryer. A toaster oven works too with similar timing.

Can I prepare these ahead of time?

Definitely! Assemble the bagel bites up to the point before air frying, cover them tightly, and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. When ready, just air fry them directly from the fridge — you might need to add an extra minute or two to the cook time.

What’s the best cheese to use for Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe?

Mozzarella is the classic choice for that perfect melt and mild flavor, but mixing in a sharper cheese like cheddar or parmesan can add depth. Freshly grated cheese melts best and gives a creamier texture compared to pre-shredded varieties.

Final Thoughts

This Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe quickly became my go-to for an easy snack that feels homemade but doesn’t take hours in the kitchen. I love the balance of crispy bagel and gooey cheese, and you’ll find it’s super fun to personalize. Give it a try—you’ll be surprised how addictive these little delights are!