Air-Fryer Bagel Chips: A Crunchy, Easy Snack

Air fryer bagel chips are a simple, crunchy, and delicious snack that can be made at home. They can be made using a variety of bagels, such as plain, everything, or cinnamon sugar bagels, and can be seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or Parmesan cheese. The bagels are sliced into thin rounds, seasoned, and then air-fried for a few minutes until golden and crispy. These bagel chips can be served with a variety of dips, such as French onion dip, hummus, or cream cheese, and stored in an airtight container for up to a week.

Choosing the right bagel

When choosing the right bagel for making bagel chips in an air fryer, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, it is recommended to use stale or day-old bagels as they will give you a crispier texture. You can use any type of bagel, such as plain, cheese, everything, onion, wholemeal, gluten-free, or even sweet bagels like blueberry or cinnamon raisin. It's entirely up to your preference and the flavour combinations you want to create.

If you're after a classic savoury bagel chip, plain bagels are a good choice as they provide a neutral base that can be enhanced with various seasonings. Everything bagels are also a popular option as they already have a variety of toppings that can add extra flavour to your chips. For those who want a more indulgent option, cheese bagels will provide a richer, more savoury taste.

On the other hand, if you're looking to make sweet bagel chips, opting for flavoured bagels like blueberry or cinnamon raisin can be a great base for pairing with sweet cream cheese dips. You can also experiment with other sweet bagel varieties and create unique combinations.

When choosing your bagels, try to find unsliced ones as they are easier to cut into even slices for chips. You can often find these in the bakery section of grocery stores or at your local bagel shop.

Remember, the beauty of making bagel chips is that you can get creative and adapt the recipe to your taste preferences. Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of bagels and seasonings to find your perfect combination!

Slicing the bagel

When slicing the bagel, it is recommended to use a serrated bread knife to avoid squishing the bagel. Start by cutting the bagel in half from the top down. This will give you two half-moon or "C-shaped" pieces. From here, you can cut the bagel into thin slices, ideally about 1/8-inch thick. If you are making bagel chips for the first time, it is better to aim for thinner slices, as thicker slices may not get as crispy in the air fryer.

If you are using a plain bagel, you can simply continue slicing the bagel vertically into even slices. However, if you are using a bagel with a large hole, such as an everything bagel, you will need to adjust your slicing technique. When you get to the hole, you will need to make half-length strips until you return to the main part of the bagel.

Once you have sliced your bagel, you can move on to the next step of making bagel chips, which is seasoning the slices.

Seasoning the bagel slices

Firstly, it is important to select the right type of bagel. While you can use any variety of bagel, plain bagels are a good choice as they provide a neutral base for your seasonings. If you opt for a flavoured bagel, such as an everything bagel or a cinnamon sugar bagel, you may want to adjust your seasonings accordingly. For example, if you're using an everything bagel, you might want to add extra seasonings like onion or garlic powder to enhance the flavour.

Once you have selected your bagels, it's time to slice them. Cut the bagel in half from top to bottom, creating two half-moon-shaped pieces. From here, slice each half into thin, even slices, ideally about 1/8-inch thick. You can use a serrated bread knife to ensure precise cutting without squishing the bagel.

Now it's time to add the seasonings! In a separate small bowl, combine your chosen seasonings. A classic combination is melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. You can also experiment with other seasonings like Italian seasoning, parsley, or even cinnamon and sugar for a sweeter option. Pour this seasoning mixture over the bagel slices in a large bowl, and stir or toss gently to ensure an even coating.

After the bagel slices are seasoned, it's important to arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap too much. This will allow for even cooking and prevent sogginess. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the bagel slices in batches.

Finally, follow the cooking instructions for your air fryer, typically cooking the bagel slices at around 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 7 to 10 minutes. Don't forget to shake or toss the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning and crispiness.

Feel free to experiment with different seasonings and dips to find your favourite combinations!

Air-frying the bagel chips

Once you have your bagel slices, it's time to season them. You can brush or drizzle them with olive oil or melted butter, and then add your choice of seasonings. Popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and Parmesan cheese. Stir or toss the bagel slices until they are fully coated in the seasoning.

Now you're ready to start air-frying! Place the bagel slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap too much. Depending on the recipe you follow and the desired level of crispness, you'll need to air-fry the bagel slices for 5-10 minutes, tossing or flipping them at least once halfway through the cooking time. Keep an eye on them, as they can go from golden to burnt quite quickly.

Once they're done, remove the bagel chips from the air fryer and let them cool. They will continue to crisp up as they cool down. You can serve them warm or at room temperature, and they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Dips to serve with the bagel chips

Now that you've made your bagel chips in the air fryer, it's time to think about dips to serve with them. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Dips to serve with bagel chips

• French onion dip: stir together sour cream, mayonnaise, chives or scallions, onion flakes, sugar, salt, and garlic powder.
• Cream cheese: season with onion powder, garlic powder, poppy seeds, black sesame seeds, or chives. You can also use flavoured cream cheese, such as vegetable, strawberry, cinnamon, chive and onion, honey pecan, or plain.
• Sour cream: mix with everything bagel seasoning, or use plain Greek yogurt as a substitute.
• Hummus: try classic hummus, or experiment with different flavours such as chipotle.
• Baba ghanoush
• Salsa and sour cream: mix together in a 50/50 blend.
• Spinach artichoke dip: a blend of Parmesan cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, artichoke hearts, and mayonnaise.
• Cucumber dill dip: mix together cream cheese, yogurt, fresh dill, and salt.
• Smoked salmon dip: combine cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, dill, and lemon juice.

You can also serve your bagel chips with a variety of store-bought dips, such as ranch, queso, or beer cheese. Get creative and experiment with different combinations of chips and dips to find your favourite pairings!

Frequently asked questions