Tiffany Haney
Pizza bagels are a tasty and hassle-free snack that can be made in an air fryer in a few simple steps. The first step is to cut a plain bagel in half and brush olive oil onto the sliced bagels. Then, add your desired toppings such as oregano, basil, pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni. Place the bagels into the air fryer basket and fry for about 5-7 minutes at 355-360 degrees Fahrenheit. The bagels can be frozen and cooked later, or cooked and then frozen for later consumption.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Pizza Bagels in an Air Fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bagel type | Plain, gluten-free |
| Bagel preparation | Cut in half, brush with olive oil, season with oregano and basil |
| Toppings | Pizza sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni |
| Air fryer temperature | 350–400°F |
| Air fryer preparation | Preheat, place bagels in a single layer with space around each one |
| Cooking time | 5–10 minutes, or until golden brown |
| Serving suggestions | Salad, air fryer potatoes, potato wedges, pesto pasta salad |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the cooking process for pizza bagels. Not only does it ensure even cooking, but it also helps you achieve that sought-after crispy and melty texture. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer is 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature setting is recommended by several sources and seems to be the sweet spot for cooking pizza bagels.
However, it's important to remember that air fryers can vary, so you may need to experiment with the temperature settings to find what works best for your specific air fryer model. Some recipes suggest cooking pizza bagels at 360 degrees Fahrenheit, while others recommend 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a shorter period. The cooking time can range from 4 to 10 minutes, depending on the temperature and the desired level of doneness.
When preheating your air fryer, it's a good idea to place the pizza bagels in a single layer, leaving a little space around each one. This ensures that hot air circulates evenly and prevents overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking.
If you're cooking homemade pizza bagel bites, you might not need to preheat your air fryer for as long. Even a minute or two of preheating can be enough to get that desirable golden-brown crust and melted cheese.
For frozen pizza bagels, preheating becomes even more important. It ensures that your bagels cook evenly and don't end up soggy or undercooked. Remember to adjust the cooking time accordingly when cooking from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the total cooking time.
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Choose the right bagel
Pizza bagels are a fun and easy meal or snack that can be made in an air fryer or an oven. They are also highly customizable, with a variety of bagel and topping options to choose from.
When choosing the right bagel for your pizza, you can opt for any type of bagel. Plain bagels are a popular choice, but you can also experiment with sesame, garlic, or poppy seed bagels. If you want to get creative, you can even try a gluten-free bagel or a BBQ chicken or Hawaiian pizza-flavored bagel. However, it is recommended to avoid overly sweet bagels and salted bagels, as you will be adding salty toppings.
It is important to note that bagels serve as the "crust" of your pizza bagel, so you want to ensure they are slightly toasted before adding toppings. Toasting the bagels helps prevent them from becoming soggy after adding the sauce. You can use a toaster or lightly toast them in the oven before adding your desired toppings.
When preparing pizza bagels, it is generally recommended to use about a tablespoon of sauce per bagel half. This ensures that your bagel doesn't become too soggy. For proteins, you can choose from a variety of options such as salami, soppressata, crumbled bacon or sausage, anchovies, or prosciutto. If you're a vegetarian, you can opt for pickled jalapeño slices, pineapple tidbits, mushrooms, or roasted vegetables.
In terms of cheese, shredded mozzarella is a popular choice, but you can also use smoked gouda or Monterey jack, depending on your preference and the flavor profile you're aiming for. Don't forget to garnish your pizza bagels with fresh herbs, crushed red pepper flakes, grated Parmesan, or a drizzle of honey, balsamic vinegar, or extra-virgin olive oil for that extra touch of flavor.
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Add toppings
When it comes to toppings, you can get creative and choose whatever you like. However, it's important not to overload the bagel halves with too many toppings. Here are some suggestions for toppings and sauces:
Sauces
You can use either a jar of your favourite shop-bought pizza sauce or make your own from scratch.
Cheese
For the cheesiest pizza bagels, shred your own mozzarella from a block of fresh cheese. This will melt better than pre-shredded cheese.
Pepperoni
It's best to use mini pepperonis as they work better on pizza bagels than regular-sized ones. Large pepperonis can be difficult to manage and may burn in the air fryer.
Other Toppings
You can also add some herbs to your pizza bagels. For example, you can brush olive oil onto the sliced bagels and season them with oregano and basil before adding the sauce and other toppings.
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Adjust temperature and timing
The cooking temperature and timing for pizza bagels in an air fryer depend on the type of bagels used and whether they are frozen or freshly made.
For frozen pizza bagels, preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the frozen bagel bites in the air fryer in a single layer, leaving a little space around each one. Then, cook for 7 to 9 minutes, or until golden brown. Check for doneness at 7 minutes and continue cooking until the cheese is melted.
For freshly made pizza bagels, the cooking time is significantly shorter, taking only about 2 to 3 minutes in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer and place the homemade mini bagel bites in a single layer. The cheese will brown slightly, and the outside will become crispy.
If you are cooking frozen pizza bagels from a box, follow the temperature and timing instructions on the packaging, but adjust them for the air fryer. For example, if the box recommends cooking the bagels in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 14 minutes, reduce the heat by 25 degrees and check on the bagels after about 10 minutes.
The ideal temperature for cooking pizza bagels in an air fryer seems to be around 355 to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, cook the bagels for 5 to 7 minutes. Check on the bagels after about 3 minutes to ensure they are not burning. The bagels are ready when the edges are crispy, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Additionally, the type of bagel used can impact the cooking time. For example, gluten-free bagels may require different timing than regular bagels.
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Reheat and store
Pizza bagels cooked in an air fryer can be stored in the freezer, both cooked and uncooked. To freeze uncooked bagels, assemble the bagels and freeze them on a baking sheet until they are solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container and store them in the freezer for up to three months. When you want to cook them, simply add a few minutes to the cooking time.
Leftover pizza bagels can also be frozen using the same method as above, but you should let them thaw before reheating.
To reheat frozen pizza bagels, place them in the air fryer basket and heat them at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for four to five minutes. The bagels' edges should become crispy, and the cheese should melt and bubble. You can also reheat pizza bagels in the oven. However, this will take longer than reheating them in the air fryer.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook pizza bagels at 355-360 °F (180 °C) for 5-7 minutes. However, some sources suggest cooking at 400 °F (204 °C) for 7-9 minutes.
Pizza bagels should be cooked for 5-7 minutes. If you are cooking from frozen, it may take up to 15 minutes.
First, cut a plain bagel in half and brush with olive oil. Then, add toppings of your choice, such as pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni. Finally, place the bagels in the air fryer and cook at 355-360 °F (180 °C) for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Yes, you can freeze pizza bagels before cooking. First, build each pizza bagel and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid. Then, transfer the frozen bagels to a freezer bag or airtight container and store for up to 3 months. When you are ready to cook, simply place the frozen bagels in the air fryer and add a few minutes to the cooking time.
