Air Fryer Pizza Bagels
Air fryer pizza bagels are sliced bagels topped with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni cooked in the air fryer. Perfect for quick lunches, after-school snacks, game day food, or when you want homemade pizza that taste better than frozen or when you’re craving just a slice. Ready in 13 minutes at 375°F, they feed 4 people and cost under $12 using simple ingredients.
Who grew up eating pizza bagels? Such a fun easy snack, and next to the pizza rolls, something I still eat as an adult. Who can resist pizza anything?
Yes, you probably bought the box from the freezer section, but now it’s time to graduate into adult pizza bagels. All the fun of a “kid” snack but in a grown up size.
Start with your favorite bagels, toast them with olive oil and seasonings, top with sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, and air fry until golden brown with gooey cheese. Less time than ordering a pizza, not to mention, more budget-friendly.
I made these with classic pepperoni and cheese, but you can mix them up with your favorite toppings and combinations! Perfect for parties, afternoon snacks, or an easy dinner in with a movie.
Use any leftover bagels to make these homemade bagel chips!
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Meatballs – Crispy, juicy snack or appetizer
- Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp – Copycat with creamy dip
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings – Crispy edges without messy deep frying
- Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket – Golden crescent-wrapped lil smokies
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Read my disclosure policy.
See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.
Ingredient Notes
- Bagels – Plain bagels work the best so they mess with the pizza flavors. But if you want to use flavored ones, I recommend an everything bagel, a cheese bagel, or a garlic or salt bagel. A sesame seed on works in a pinch too.
- Olive oil – Use extra virgin olive oil. This adds flavor, helps the spices stick to them, and helps them toast up nice and crispy.
- Pizza seasoning – This just boosts the pizza flavor, but you can always substitute Italian seasoning as well.
- Pizza sauce – This is a given and you can use your favorite. Substitute your favorite spaghetti sauce as well. I love using a spicy arrabbiata sauce!
- Cheese – I prefer to use mozzarella since that’s what I use on my pizzas. It melts really well and helps to hold all the toppings on the bagel. Grate your own for the best melting!
- Pepperoni – Use regular-sized pepperoni (2 slices per bagel half) or mini pepperoni. Feel free to chop it up too. You can also add diced peppers, black olives, and Italian sausage.
For more insider tips, tricks, and a behind the scenes look, follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, & X.
How To Make Air Fryer Pizza Bagels
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Slice the bagels in half and lay them cut-side up in the air fryer basket. Brush the cut side of each bagel half with olive oil.
- Sprinkle with pizza seasoning and garlic powder. Air fry for 3-4 minutes until the tops start to get toasty and golden. This step is crucial for preventing soggy bagels.
- Remove from the air fryer and spoon pizza sauce over the tops of each bagel half. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and top with pepperoni slices.
- Place back in the air fryer and cook another 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove and let cool for 1-2 minutes before eating.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The bagels soften slightly after the first day but still taste good.
Reheating: Air fry at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until heated through and the cheese re-melts. You can also microwave for 30-45 seconds but the bagels won’t be as crispy. The bagels can get a little chewy in the microwave so be warned.
Make-Ahead: Toast the bagels and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Add toppings and air fry when ready to eat.
Freezer: Cool completely and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen. These are great for making after school snacks ahead of time!
More Pizza Recipes
- Crockpot Pizza Dip – Hands-off slow cooker party dip
- Hawaiian Pizza Sliders – Sweet pineapple and ham sandwiches
- Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels – Spiral rolled appetizer bites
- Pizza Egg Rolls – Crispy fried with marinara dipping
Variations
- Different Toppings: Add cooked sausage, bacon, ham, olives, bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms. Cook the vegetables and meat before adding to remove excess water so the bagels don’t get soggy.
- Veggie Pizza Bagels: Top with sautéed bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and olives for vegetarian version.
- Margherita Style: Use fresh mozzarella, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze instead of pepperoni.
- BBQ Chicken: Use BBQ sauce instead of pizza sauce and top with cooked shredded chicken and red onion.
- Buffalo Chicken: Mix cooked chicken with buffalo sauce, top with mozzarella and blue cheese crumbles.
- Supreme Pizza: Add cooked sausage, pepperoni, bell peppers, onions, and olives for loaded pizza bagels.
- White Pizza: Skip the pizza sauce and use garlic butter, then top with mozzarella, ricotta, and fresh herbs. Try some everything bagel seasoning!
- Greek: Add crumbled feta cheese, roasted red peppers, and Kalamata olives for a Greek version. This is my husband’s favorite!!
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain bagels work best but everything bagels, sesame bagels, or wheat bagels are all delicious too. I love a salt or garlic bagel! Avoid sweet bagels like cinnamon raisin or blueberry. They don’t work well with the spicy sauce.
Toasting before adding the sauce means the bagels won’t get soggy when you add the sauce.
Thaw them first or they won’t cook evenly. Frozen bagels need extra time to defrost and won’t crisp up properly.
Work in batches. Don’t overcrowd the basket or the bagels won’t cook evenly and the cheese won’t melt properly.
Yes! Bake at 400°F for 5 minutes to toast, add toppings, then bake another 5-7 minutes until cheese melts.
Yes! Raw vegetables release water during cooking and make the bagels soggy. Sauté them first to remove excess moisture.
Yes! Cool completely and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Toast the bagels first before adding sauce. This prevents them from getting soggy.
- Don’t skip brushing with olive oil and seasonings. This adds flavor to the bagel itself instead of it being a bland base.
- Air fry in batches if you need to. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket or the bagels won’t cook evenly and they will “steam” and get soft.
- Use about 2 tablespoons of sauce per bagel half. Too much sauce makes them soggy and messy.
- Cook vegetables and meat before adding. Raw vegetables release water and make everything soggy. Meat needs to be fully cooked.
- Cut pepperoni into smaller pieces if using regular-sized slices. This helps them fit better on the bagel.
- Watch during the last minute of cooking. Air fryer cooking times can vary with models and temperatures. And you don’t want burnt cheese!
- Let them cool for 1-2 minutes before eating. The cheese is extremely hot straight from the air fryer.
This air fryer pizza bagels recipe is the perfect afternoon snack, easy to make when you’re craving just a slice or two of pizza, and even work for breakfast!
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please leave us a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ five-star review in the comment section below. Thanks!
Air Fryer Pizza Bagels Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 bagels plain, sliced
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoon pizza seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 16 slices pepperoni
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.
- Slice the bagels in half and lay them cut-side up in the air fryer basket.
- Brush the cut side of each bagel half with olive oil.
- Sprinkle with pizza seasoning and garlic powder.
- Air fry for 3-4 minutes until the tops start to get toasty and golden. This step is crucial for preventing soggy bagels.
- Remove from the air fryer and spoon pizza sauce over the tops of each bagel half.
- Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and top with pepperoni slices.
- Place back in the air fryer and cook another 3-4 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove and let cool for 1-2 minutes before eating.
Notes
- oast the bagels first before adding sauce. This prevents them from getting soggy.
- Don’t skip brushing with olive oil and seasonings. This adds flavor to the bagel itself instead of it being a bland base.
- Air fry in batches if you need to. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket or the bagels won’t cook evenly and they will “steam” and get soft.
- Use about 2 tablespoons of sauce per bagel half. Too much sauce makes them soggy and messy.
- Cook vegetables and meat before adding. Raw vegetables release water and make everything soggy. Meat needs to be fully cooked.
- Cut pepperoni into smaller pieces if using regular-sized slices. This helps them fit better on the bagel.
- Watch during the last minute of cooking. Air fryers vary in temperature and you don’t want burnt cheese.
- Let them cool for 1-2 minutes before eating. The cheese is extremely hot straight from the air fryer.
Nutrition
©TakeTwoTapas.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
