Air Fryer Bagels: Is It Possible?

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance, and it's no surprise that people are curious about their capabilities. If you're a bagel lover, you might be wondering if you can use your air fryer to toast your favourite breakfast treat. The good news is, you absolutely can! Air fryers are versatile and convenient, and they can give you a perfectly toasted bagel with a crispy exterior and a warm, fluffy interior. So, if you're ready to experiment with your air fryer, grab your favourite bagels and let's get started!

How to toast a bagel in an air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the Bagel

Take your bagel and slice it in half. If your bagel is fresh, you may want to pre-toast it for a minute at a lower temperature to remove excess moisture. You can also lightly brush the bagel halves with melted butter or spray them with olive oil for extra crispiness and flavour.

Step 2: Set the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) or 370°F-380°F if you prefer a darker toast.

Step 3: Position the Bagel

Place the bagel halves into the air fryer basket cut-side up, making sure they have space around them for even cooking.

Step 4: Toast the Bagel

Air fry for 3-4 minutes. Check the bagels and add an extra minute or two if you want them darker.

Step 5: Add Your Toppings

Remove the bagels from the air fryer and add your favourite toppings. Classic options include cream cheese, butter and honey, or strawberry jam. For a savoury option, try sliced tomato or a fried egg.

The best type of air fryer to toast bagels

Air fryers are a great alternative to toasters and ovens when it comes to toasting bagels. They deliver even toasting, quicker results, and less mess. However, you may need to toast in batches, monitor closely to avoid burning, and be cautious not to overcrowd the fryer.

When choosing an air fryer for toasting bagels, there are a few things to consider:

• Size: If you're making breakfast for a crowd, opt for a larger air fryer to fit more bagels in one batch.
• Temperature Control: Look for an air fryer with adjustable temperature settings. The ideal temperature for toasting bagels is around 350°F to 380°F, but you may need to adjust it slightly depending on your preference.
• Timer: A built-in timer is essential to ensure you don't over-toast your bagels. Look for a model with a timer that allows you to set the exact time, so you can easily adjust it based on your desired level of doneness.
• Basket/Tray Design: Choose an air fryer with a basket or tray that provides enough space for the bagel halves to be placed cut-side up. Ensure the basket/tray has enough ventilation to allow for proper air circulation.
• Dishwasher-Safe: Cleaning up after making bagels is easier if you choose an air fryer with a dishwasher-safe basket or tray.
• Preheat Setting: Some air fryers come with a preheat setting, which can help you achieve more consistent results.
• Wattage: Higher wattage air fryers tend to cook faster and more efficiently. This can be beneficial if you're looking for quicker toasting times.
• Cosori Air Fryer (5.8 Quart): This basket-style air fryer is perfect for toasting bagels. It has adjustable temperature settings up to 400°F and a timer that allows you to set the desired cooking time. The 5.8-quart capacity should be sufficient for most needs.
• Cuisinart Toaster/Convection/Air Fryer Combo: This multi-functional appliance gives you the best of both worlds—a toaster and an air fryer in one. It's great if you want the option to toast bagels in smaller batches or if you're short on counter space.
• GoWise USA Air Fryer (3.2 Quart): This compact air fryer is perfect for smaller households. It cooks quickly and evenly, ensuring your bagels are toasted just right.
• Ultrean Air Fryer (8.5 Quart): If you're toasting bagels for a larger group, the Ultrean Air Fryer offers a generous capacity. It cooks both sides of the bagel evenly, so you don't have to worry about flipping them during the cooking process.

How to serve air fryer bagels

There are many ways to serve air fryer bagels, whether you're looking for a classic breakfast option or something more creative. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Classic Bagel and Cream Cheese

Spread some cream cheese on your air-fried bagel for a simple, satisfying breakfast. You can also add toppings such as onion and chives or a dash of everything bagel seasoning.

Bagel Sandwich

Take your bagel to the next level by turning it into a sandwich. Add your favourite breakfast proteins and toppings. Some popular choices include tofu scramble, crispy carrot bacon, sliced avocado, fried egg, smoky bacon, or ham.

Bagel French Toast

Dip your bagel in a French toast mixture and cook it on a griddle or in a pan for a fun twist on the classic French toast.

Bagel Chips

Cut your bagel into thin slices and bake them in the air fryer to make bagel chips. Serve them with hummus, guacamole, or your favourite dip for a tasty snack.

Air Fryer Pizza Bagels

Top your bagel with marinara sauce, shredded cheese, and your favourite pizza toppings. You can also use mini bagels to make pizza bagel bites!

Bagel with Smoked Salmon

Try a bagel with lox and cream cheese, or switch it up with vegan mascarpone cheese and carrot lox.

Sweet Options

For those with a sweet tooth, there are plenty of options as well. You can spread your bagel with jam, layer it with peanut butter, or even make French toast-style bagels with a sweet glaze.

How long to put a bagel in the air fryer

Toasting a bagel in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer (Optional)

Some air fryer models require preheating, while others don't. If yours does, preheat it to 350°F (175°C) or 360°F (182°C) for 1-2 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Bagels

Slice the bagel in half with a serrated knife. If you want a little extra crunch or flavour, you can lightly brush the cut sides with melted butter or spray or brush them with olive oil. However, this step is optional.

Step 3: Place the Bagels in the Air Fryer

Arrange the bagel halves in the air fryer basket, cut-side up. Ensure they are not overlapping or touching too closely to allow for even toasting. Leave some space around them to ensure proper air circulation.

Step 4: Set the Temperature and Time

Set the air fryer temperature to 350°F (175°C) or 370°F (182°C). The time will depend on your preferred level of doneness and your air fryer model. As a guide, toast the bagels for 3-5 minutes for a lighter toast, or up to 6 minutes if you prefer them darker. Remember that you can always add more time if needed, but it's easier to add time than to undo a burnt bagel!

Step 5: Check for Doneness and Adjust as Needed

After a few minutes, open the air fryer and check the bagels. If they need more time, put them back in for another minute or so. Keep a close eye on them to avoid overdoing it, as they can quickly go from perfectly toasted to burnt.

Step 6: Remove and Enjoy

Once your bagels are toasted to your liking, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs or a spatula as they will be hot. Now you can add your favourite toppings and enjoy!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Bagels:

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even toasting.
• Monitor the bagels during the toasting process to prevent over-toasting.
• Experiment with different bagel types, such as plain, sesame, or whole wheat, as they may toast slightly differently.
• If you want to add cheese or other toppings, it's best to do so after the initial toasting.

How to store leftover bagels

If you have leftover bagels, there are several ways to store them to keep them fresh for as long as possible. Firstly, it's best not to leave them uncovered and exposed to air for too long. Instead, store them on the counter in a paper or zip-top bag. Make sure they are completely cool before doing so, as warm bagels can become soggy in a bag.

You can also store bagels in a bread bag or something similar that can loosely cover and seal them. Squeeze out as much air as possible, then let them sit out at room temperature for 2-4 days.

If you want your bagels to last longer, you can freeze them. Before freezing, slice the bagels in half horizontally, then wrap both halves in plastic wrap, foil, or wax paper. This will prevent the halves from sticking together. Place the wrapped halves together in a sealable, freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3-4 months. When you're ready to eat a frozen bagel, there's no need to thaw it first; simply pop it straight into the toaster.

If your bagels are already stale, there are several creative ways to use them, including making bagel crisps, pizza bagels, frittata, breakfast casserole, croutons, stuffing, or bread pudding.

Frequently asked questions