Air-Fryer Bagels: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a great way to cook bagels. You can toast a bagel in an air fryer in just a few minutes, and you can also make bagels from scratch in an air fryer. To toast a bagel in an air fryer, slice a standard-sized bagel in half and place it in the air fryer basket, cut side up. Air fry at 380 degrees for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. If you want to make a bagel from scratch, you'll need to knead the dough, shape it into bagels, and cook them in the air fryer for 15-16 minutes.

How to slice a bagel for an air fryer

To cook a bagel in an air fryer, you'll need to slice it in half first. Place the two halves, cut side up, into the air fryer basket in a single layer.

To get the perfect slice, use a serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion. Start by slicing through the middle of the bagel, then carefully cut through the rest of the bagel, keeping the knife level and steady. You can also use a bread knife or an electric knife for this task.

Once you've sliced your bagel, you can place it in the air fryer. Air fry at 380 degrees for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Depending on how crispy you like your bagel, you can adjust the cooking time. For a lightly crispy bagel, air fry for 2-3 minutes. If you prefer a darker crisp, go for 3-4 minutes.

If you're using frozen bagels, you'll need to adjust the cooking time and temperature. Air fry at 180C/350F for 10 minutes, flipping the bagel halfway through. Then, increase the heat to 200C/400F for the last 10 minutes to get that perfect toast.

How long to air fry a bagel for

To cook a bagel in an air fryer, you should first slice the bagel in half and place the halves in the air fryer basket, cut side up. The air fryer should be preheated to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (or 200 degrees Celsius) and the bagel should be cooked for 3-4 minutes, depending on how crispy you like it. If you like your bagel lightly crispy, 2-3 minutes should be enough, but if you prefer a darker crisp, you should leave it for the full 3-4 minutes.

If you are making the bagel from scratch, you should preheat the air fryer to 280 degrees Fahrenheit (or 137 degrees Celsius) and cook the bagel for 15-16 minutes.

If you are using a frozen bagel, you should line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and cook the bagel at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 180 degrees Celsius) for 10 minutes, flipping it halfway through. If you want the bagel toasted, increase the heat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (or 200 degrees Celsius) for the last 10 minutes.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and wattage of your air fryer, so you may need to adjust the timing by 1-2 minutes.

How to make bagel dough

To make the perfect air fryer toasted bagel, begin by slicing two standard-sized bagels in half and placing them into the air fryer basket, in a single layer, cut side up. Air fry at 380 degrees for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Depending on the crispness you prefer, use 2-3 minutes for lightly crispy, and 3-4 minutes for darker crisp. Top with your favourite toppings such as cream cheese or butter.

To make the dough itself, add all your dry ingredients to a bowl, including instant yeast, and mix them to combine. Pour the warm water into the centre of the mixing bowl. Start the mixer on low speed and let the dough hook do its thing, pausing to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to push the flour around the edges into the middle. If the dough is wet and sticking to the sides of the bowl, tap in a tablespoon or two of flour as needed until the dough stops sticking. If the dough seems really dry and like it won't come together after about 5 minutes, dribble a teaspoon of water onto the dry bits in the bowl and keep mixing. Once the dough is ready, transfer it to a lightly floured work surface, and knead until smooth, 5 to 7 minutes. Divide the dough evenly into 4 balls, rolling and stretching each into 3/4-inch thick ropes that are about 8- to 9-inches long. Connect both ends, pinching and sealing to form a bagel.

How to make vegan bagels

To make vegan bagels in an air fryer, you can follow this simple recipe. First, preheat your air fryer to 360° F | 176° C for 5 minutes. If you prefer your bagel toasted inside, open it up. If you prefer the inside softer, keep the bagel closed. Next, add the halved bagel to the air fryer basket in a single layer, with the cut side facing up. Air fry at 380 degrees for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Depending on your crispness preference, you can air fry for 2-3 minutes for a lightly crispy bagel, or 3-4 minutes for a darker crisp. You can top your bagel with vegan toppings such as dairy-free yoghurt (coconut or soy yoghurt). If you want to make your own bagels from scratch, you can try a simple two-ingredient recipe. First, transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead until smooth, which should take 5 to 7 minutes. Then, divide the dough evenly into 4 balls, rolling and stretching each into a 3/4-inch thick rope that is about 8 to 9 inches long. Connect both ends, pinching and sealing to form a bagel. Brush with dairy-free yoghurt and sprinkle with bagel seasoning. Preheat your air fryer to 280 degrees F (137 degrees C) and line the basket with a parchment liner or spray lightly with cooking spray. Place the bagels in the basket and cook until golden brown, which should take 15 to 16 minutes.

How to toast a bagel inside and out

Toasting a bagel inside and out in an air fryer is simple. First, preheat your air fryer to 360° F | 176° C or 380° F for 5 minutes. If you want your bagel toasted inside and out, slice it in half and place the two halves in the air fryer basket, cut side up, in a single layer. If you prefer the inside softer, keep the bagel closed.

Air fry your bagel for 3-4 minutes at 380° F or 4 minutes at 360° F | 176° C. If you want a lighter crisp, opt for 2-3 minutes, and for a darker crisp, go for 3-4 minutes. For a frozen bagel, air fry at 180° C | 350° F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, and then increase the heat to 200° C | 400° F for the last 10 minutes. Depending on the size of your bagel and your air fryer, you may need to adjust the cooking time by 1-2 minutes.

Once your bagel is golden brown and crispy, top it with your favourite toppings, such as cream cheese or butter. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions