Cody Casey
Air Fryer Bagel Bites are a quick and easy snack or meal that can be made in under 10 minutes. They are perfect for kids and adults alike, and can be customised with a variety of toppings and sauces. The bites can be made with mini bagels or regular-sized bagels, and the cooking time will vary depending on the size and power of the air fryer. This guide will provide step-by-step instructions on how to cook Bagel Bites in an Air Fryer, including preparation, cooking, and serving tips.
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the bagel-making process. It ensures your bagel bites cook evenly and efficiently, and it can also affect the texture of your bagels. Preheat your air fryer for around 3 minutes at 350°F. If you're short on time, you can skip the preheating step, but your bagel bites may take an extra minute or two to cook.
Different air fryers have different preheating requirements, so it's always a good idea to refer to your air fryer's instruction manual. Some air fryers may have a preheat setting, while others may require you to run them at a specific temperature for a few minutes before adding your food. Additionally, if your air fryer has a separate elevated crisping tray or plate, be sure to insert it before preheating.
The temperature you preheat your air fryer to will depend on the texture you want for your bagel bites. For a crispier bottom, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. If you prefer a softer, chewier texture similar to microwave-cooked bagels, preheat to a lower temperature of around 340°F. You can also experiment with temperatures in between, such as 360°F or 380°F, to find your preferred level of crispness.
While preheating, you can also prepare the air fryer basket by spraying it with non-aerosol, propellant-free olive oil or a nonstick cooking spray to prevent your bagel bites from sticking. This step is especially important if your air fryer doesn't have a non-stick coating.
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Prepare the air fryer basket
To prepare the air fryer basket, start by deciding on the number of bagel bites you'll need. A standard-sized air fryer basket can fit about 9 bagel bites, but this may vary depending on the size of your air fryer. For example, a Cosori Air Fryer with a 6qt basket can fit 9+ bagel bites, while a Phillips XXL air fryer can fit up to two whole packs in one layer. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the bagel bites in batches.
Once you've determined the number of bagel bites, prepare the air fryer basket by spraying it with a non-stick cooking spray or olive oil spray if needed. You can also use a spritzer bottle filled with your own oil. If your air fryer has a separate elevated crisping tray or plate, be sure to insert it and lightly grease it with the spray or oil.
Place the desired number of frozen bagel bites directly into the prepared air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not stacked on top of each other or overlapping, as this will affect the cooking process and the cheese may not melt properly.
If you are using regular-sized bagels instead of mini bagels, slice them in half and increase the air frying time by about 5 minutes. Again, be sure not to overcrowd the basket to ensure even cooking.
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Place bagel bites in the basket
When placing the bagel bites in the basket, it is important to ensure that they are not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the bagel bites in batches. For example, a Cosori Air Fryer with a 6qt basket can fit 9+ bagel bites in a single layer. A Phillips XXL Air Fryer can fit up to two whole packs in one layer. If you have a smaller model, you may need to cook the bagel bites in batches, which may reduce the cooking time. If you are using regular-sized bagels, be sure to increase the air frying time by about 5 minutes.
When placing the bagel bites in the basket, it is also important to ensure that they are in a single layer. This will ensure even cooking and prevent the bagel bites from becoming overcrowded. If the bagel bites are too close together, the cheese may not melt properly. It is also important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the brand of bagel bites you are using.
To make the bagel bites, you can use mini bagels, pizza sauce, and pizza toppings. Cut the mini bagels in half and spread a spoonful of marinara sauce or your preferred pizza sauce on each bagel half. You can then sprinkle each bagel half with cheese and add any desired toppings. Some popular toppings include pepperoni, ham, pineapple, and mini pepperonis. You can also add cooked chicken sausage, shredded chicken, cooked ground beef, peppers, mushrooms, and olives.
Once you have assembled the bagel bites, it is time to place them in the air fryer basket. Be sure to lightly grease the basket or use a non-stick cooking spray if needed. Place the bagel bites in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping or overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the number of bagel bites you cook at one time.
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$32.55 $35
Air fry the bagel bites
Air frying bagel bites is a quick and easy process. First, preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit if you prefer a crispier texture, or 340 degrees for a softer bite. If you're using a larger air fryer, such as the Phillips XXL, you can fit up to two packs of bagel bites in a single layer. For smaller air fryers, you may need to cook the bagel bites in batches.
Next, prepare the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray, if needed. Place the desired number of frozen bagel bites directly into the basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not stacked or overcrowded. You can use full-sized bagels, but you may need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
Now, air fry the bagel bites! For a cooking time of 4-6 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit, start checking them after 4 minutes to ensure they don't overcook. If you're cooking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, fry for 5-7 minutes, and for 400 degrees Fahrenheit, fry for 6-8 minutes. Check the bagel bites at the 6-minute mark to avoid overcooking.
Once they're cooked to your liking, carefully remove the bagel bites from the air fryer with a pair of tongs and serve immediately. Enjoy your warm, melty, and crispy bagel bites!
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Sauce and toppings
The sauce is an important component of bagel bites, and you can choose from a variety of options to suit your taste. A traditional choice is a tomato-based sauce, such as marinara, vodka, arrabiata, or pizza sauce. You could also opt for a white sauce like alfredo or pesto for a different flavour profile. Spread about 1 tablespoon of sauce on each bagel half—too much sauce can make a mess and cause your toppings to slide off.
When it comes to cheese, mozzarella is a classic option, but you can also use shredded cheese such as cheddar, Swiss, Mexican blend, or Italian four-cheese blend. For a more indulgent option, top your bagel bites with additional cheese like aged cheddar, Parmesan, or Gouda after cooking.
For toppings, the options are endless. You can choose classic pizza toppings such as pepperoni, ham, pineapple, onions, mushrooms, peppers, or even get creative with cooked chicken sausage, shredded chicken, ground beef, or chopped deli turkey. If you're feeling adventurous, add some olives, cherry tomatoes, banana peppers, or other ingredients of your choice.
Remember, the key to successful bagel bites is to not overcrowd your air fryer basket and to keep an eye on them during cooking to prevent burning. Enjoy your homemade snack!
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 4 to 8 minutes to cook bagel bites in an air fryer. However, it is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the brand of air fryer and the number of bagel bites being cooked.
The ideal temperature to cook bagel bites in an air fryer is between 340°F to 400°F. A lower temperature will result in a softer texture, while a higher temperature will make the bagel bites crispier.
To make bagel bites in an air fryer, first preheat your air fryer. Place the desired number of frozen bagel bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them to ensure even cooking. Air fry until the bagel bites are lightly toasted and the cheese is melted. This usually takes about 4 to 8 minutes, depending on your air fryer. Once done, carefully remove the bagel bites from the air fryer using tongs and serve immediately.
Yes, you can use regular-sized bagels instead of mini bagels for making bagel bites in an air fryer. Simply slice the bagels in half and increase the air frying time by about 5 minutes. Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
