Name: Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 mini bagels halved; 1/4 cup pizza sauce; 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese freshly grated; 20 mini pepperoni slices

There’s something wonderfully addictive about these mini snacks that melt in your mouth—warm, cheesy, and perfectly crisp. This Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe is my go-to when I want a quick snack that feels like a tiny pizza party, but without any hassle.

Several small round pizzas are shown on crumpled brown parchment paper, each with a visible base layer of red tomato sauce topped with a thick layer of melted golden yellow cheese, some parts slightly browned and bubbly. One pizza has small, evenly spread slices of reddish-brown sausage on top of the cheese. The pizzas have light tan crusts that are thin and slightly crispy around the edges. The image is taken from above, showing the pizzas closely arranged with no plate visible, on a subtle crumpled paper surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe isn’t just fast; it’s a little nostalgic and a lot delicious. I enjoy it because it transforms basic ingredients into bite-sized joy with minimal effort, and I can customize it any way I want.

Quick and Easy: You can prepare these bagel bites in just a few minutes with barely any cleanup.
Perfectly Crispy: The air fryer crisps the bagels amazingly well without making them too hard.
Endless Customization: From classic pizza toppings to sweet combos, you can make these your own snack masterpiece.
Snack or Party Hit: Whether you’re just hungry or hosting friends, these always disappear fast.

Six small pizzas are placed in two vertical columns on a black wire cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each pizza has two to three layers: a thin round base in light beige, a spread of bright red tomato sauce just inside the edges, and a top layer of melted cheese in golden yellow with some browned spots. Four of the pizzas have scattered small round brown sausage slices on the cheese, while two pizzas are just cheese without toppings. The cheese looks bubbly and slightly browned, giving a warm and fresh baked appearance. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Let’s talk ingredients—each one is simple but comes together to deliver delicious, melty bagel bites. Quality pizza sauce and fresh mozzarella are key for great flavor and texture. Mini bagels give you that perfect base, crispy on the outside, soft inside.

Flat lay of four mini bagel halves topped with bright red pizza sauce, piles of freshly grated mozzarella cheese, and small, round mini pepperoni slices, arranged neatly and invitingly with a few scattered mozzarella shreds around, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Mini bagels: The size is just right for snacking, and their dense texture toasts beautifully in the air fryer.
Pizza sauce: Use a good-quality sauce with bold tomato flavor for that authentic pizza vibe.
Mozzarella cheese: Freshly grated melts evenly and creates that gooey topping that makes you smile.
Mini pepperoni: Adds a classic savory touch, but feel free to swap for veggies or other toppings.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What’s fun about this Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe is how flexible it is. I often mix and match toppings depending on my mood or what’s in the fridge, inviting you to do the same!

Variation: I once swapped pizza sauce for pesto and it felt like a fresh twist—nutty, fragrant, and just as delicious.
Dairy-Free: If you avoid cheese, vegan cheese or hummus also work surprisingly well as toppings.
Sweet Version: For dessert, I spread cream cheese and topped with a drizzle of honey or fruit preserves—it’s a treat you’ll want to try.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Bagels and Toppings

Start by slicing your mini bagels in half. I like to give each half a good spread of pizza sauce—don’t skimp here, the sauce adds moisture and flavor that’s essential. Then sprinkle on that fresh mozzarella evenly, and top with your mini pepperoni slices. Layering ingredients evenly helps everything cook perfectly in the air fryer.

Step 2: Air Fry to Gooey Perfection

Place the bagel halves in a single layer inside your air fryer basket—crowding them will affect crispiness. Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for about 4 minutes, but keep an eye—when the cheese is nicely melted and bubbly, and the edges crisp, they’re ready. If you’re doing a second batch, just repeat as needed!

Top Tip

After making these bagel bites several times, I’ve learned a few small tricks that make a big difference in texture and flavor.

Even Layering: Make sure the sauce and cheese cover the bagel halves evenly, so every bite is balanced.
Don’t Overcrowd: Leave space between bagels in the air fryer basket to let hot air circulate and crisp the edges.
Use Fresh Cheese: Freshly grated mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded kinds, for that velvety texture.
Watch the Time: Air fryers vary, so start checking around 3 minutes to avoid burning the cheese or drying out the bagels.

How to Serve Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe

Garnishes

When I serve these, I often sprinkle chopped fresh basil or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes on top for a little freshness and a subtle kick. A light drizzle of olive oil right after cooking can also elevate the flavor.

Side Dishes

I love pairing Air Fryer Bagel Bites with a simple green salad or crunchy carrot sticks. If you want something heartier, a bowl of tomato soup makes an ideal cozy combo.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange the bagel bites on a colorful platter with little bowls of dipping sauces like ranch, spicy marinara, or garlic aioli. Adding fresh veggie sticks and olives creates a fun, inviting display everyone digs into happily.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually place any leftover bagel bites in an airtight container in the fridge—they keep perfectly for up to three days, making a quick snack or lunch option super easy.

Freezing

These freeze amazingly well, which is a lifesaver for busy days. I freeze mine on a baking sheet first to keep them separate, then transfer to a freezer bag. You can store them frozen for up to three months without losing that tasty texture.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the bagel bites back into a preheated air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. This brings back the crisp edges and melty cheese without drying them out like a microwave might.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular-sized bagels for this recipe?

You can, but mini bagels are preferred because they turn into perfect bite-sized snacks. With regular bagels, you might want to slice them into smaller pieces to get that same quick-cook advantage in the air fryer.

How long does it take to make these in the air fryer?

From prepping to cooking, it usually takes less than 10 minutes. The actual air frying is just about 4 minutes per batch, which is amazing when you want something fast.

Can I add other toppings besides pepperoni?

Absolutely! Feel free to get creative with veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives, or use different meats and cheeses based on what you love or have on hand.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Reheating in an air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F is the best way to keep the bagel bites crispy and the cheese melted without drying them out, unlike microwaving.

Final Thoughts

I genuinely love how this Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe turns ordinary ingredients into a tasty, comforting snack that’s ready in a flash. Sharing it with friends or enjoying it solo, these bite-sized morsels always hit the spot. I hope you’ll enjoy making and munching on them as much as I do!