Air Fryer Bagel Bites: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Making bagel bites in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to create a tasty snack in under 10 minutes. They are a popular snack for kids and adults alike, and cooking them in an air fryer is far superior to using a microwave or oven. The air fryer method creates a crispy outside and soft and chewy inside, with the perfect melted cheesy topping.

Preheat the air fryer to 350-375° F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the bagel-making process. It allows your bagel bites to cook more evenly and helps you achieve that sought-after crispy and melty texture.

To preheat your air fryer, simply turn it on and let it heat up for a few minutes before adding your bagel bites. Aim for a temperature of 350-375° F. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, don't worry—just let it run for about 5 minutes before adding your bagels. This will ensure that your bagel bites cook evenly and efficiently.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can move on to the next step of placing your frozen bagel bites inside. Remember to space them out in a single layer, leaving a little room around each one. This will ensure that they cook evenly and get nice and crispy.

So, for perfectly cooked bagel bites, don't skip the preheating step! It's a crucial part of the process that will ensure your bagels are cooked to perfection.

Place frozen bagel bites in a single layer

When placing frozen bagel bites in the air fryer, it is important to arrange them in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap or touch. This is to allow for even cooking and to prevent overcrowding in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may fit around 9 to 12 bagel bites in a single layer.

It is also recommended to leave a little space around each bagel bite. This ensures that the hot air circulates evenly and cooks each bite thoroughly. By arranging them in a single layer, you can also monitor their progress and check for doneness without disturbing the cooking process. This is especially important if you are cooking a large batch and need to cook the bagel bites in multiple batches.

When placing the frozen bagel bites in a single layer, consider the size of your air fryer basket or oven. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the bagel bites in batches to ensure they cook evenly. Alternatively, if you are using an air fryer oven, you can place the bagel bites on the middle rack to ensure optimal air circulation.

By following this step and arranging the frozen bagel bites in a single layer, you will achieve the best results and avoid overcrowding, ensuring your bagel bites turn out crispy and delicious!

Air fry for 5-9 minutes

Now, this is the most important step in the bagel-making process. After all your hard work, you don't want to overcook or undercook your bagel bites! So, for this step, you will need to air fry your bagels for 5-9 minutes.

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350°F or 375°F. The temperature may vary depending on your air fryer, but this is a good temperature to aim for. Then, place your bagel bites in the air fryer. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping, with a little space around each one. You don't want them to be crowded!

Now, for the cooking time. Air fry your bagel bites for 5-9 minutes. Keep an eye on them, especially if this is your first time making them, as you don't want them to burn. Check on them after about 5 minutes to see if they are cooked to your liking. They should be golden brown and the cheese should be melted. If they need a little longer, put them back in for another minute or two.

And that's it! Your bagel bites are now ready to be devoured. This method will give you wonderfully crispy bagels on the outside and soft and chewy bagels on the inside, with perfectly melted cheese. Enjoy!

Add toppings

When it comes to toppings, you can get creative and add your favourites. It is best to add toppings during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking so they don't burn. Here are some topping ideas:

• A slice of olive
• Finely minced onion
• Peppers
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Red pepper flakes
• Dried oregano
• Garlic powder
• Marinara sauce for dipping
• Crumbled bacon
• Diced pepperoni slices
• Shredded pepper jack cheese
• Crumbled feta cheese

Serve with a dipping sauce

While bagel bites are typically eaten straight out of the air fryer, you can elevate your snack by serving them with a dipping sauce. Marinara sauce is a great option for dipping, but you can also get creative and try other sauces like ranch, garlic aioli, or even a spicy sriracha mayo.

If you're feeling extra fancy, you can also sprinkle some red pepper flakes and dried oregano on top of your bagel bites before serving. This will give them a little extra kick and make them taste even more like pizza.

Don't be afraid to experiment with different sauces and toppings to find your favourite combinations. You can also offer a variety of dipping sauces at your next party or gathering and let your guests decide which sauce they like best.

Remember, the key to successful air fryer bagel bites is to cook them in a single layer and keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. That way, you'll have delicious, crispy bagel bites that are perfect for dipping. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions