Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Bagels — The Perfect Quick Snack for All Ages

Few snacks capture the magic of childhood and the simplicity of quick meals like homemade air fryer pizza bagels. Perfectly crisp on the outside, soft and chewy inside, and topped with gooey melted cheese and your favorite toppings, these mini delights are a nostalgic favorite made even better (and faster) with the air fryer.

Whether you’re prepping after-school snacks, a quick lunch, or a fun party appetizer, air fryer pizza bagels deliver flavor, speed, and satisfaction in every bite.

In this complete guide, we’ll walk through ingredients, step-by-step instructions, pro tips, and tasty variations — all optimized for your favorite countertop appliance.

Why You’ll Love These Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Bagels

Air fryer pizza bagels combine everything you love about pizza with the convenience of a 10-minute cook time. No preheating ovens, no baking sheets, and no waiting around — just quick, crispy, cheesy goodness.

Here’s why this recipe will become your new go-to:

• Super Fast: Ready in less than 15 minutes start to finish.
• Customizable: Choose your favorite toppings or go classic with pepperoni.
• Kid-Friendly: Perfect for family cooking or school lunches.
• No Mess: Minimal cleanup and no oven preheating required.

Ingredients

• 6 mini bagels (plain or whole wheat)
• ½ cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 18 mini pepperoni slices (or regular pepperoni cut smaller)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Olive oil spray (optional)
• Optional toppings: diced bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, or onions

Instructions

1. Preheat the Air Fryer
   Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 2 minutes. This helps ensure the bagels cook evenly and become crispy on the outside.
2. Prepare the Bagels
   Slice the bagels in half if they aren’t pre-cut. Lightly spray the cut sides with olive oil for a golden crunch.
3. Add the Sauce
   Spread about 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce over each bagel half, spreading evenly to the edges.
4. Top with Cheese
   Sprinkle shredded mozzarella generously over each sauced bagel. Don’t overload, or the cheese may drip during air frying.
5. Add Toppings
   Place mini pepperoni slices and any extra toppings (bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, etc.) over the cheese. Sprinkle a pinch of Italian seasoning for added flavor.
6. Air Fry to Perfection
   Arrange bagel halves in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 375°F for 5–7 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly and edges are golden brown.
7. Cool and Serve
   Remove the pizza bagels carefully (they’ll be hot!). Allow to cool for 2–3 minutes before serving.

Homemade Air Fryer Pizza Bagels

Crispy, cheesy, and irresistibly easy — these homemade air fryer pizza bagels are the perfect quick snack or light meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 7 minutes mins

Total Time 12 minutes mins

Servings: 6 bagels

Course: Lunch, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 250

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 6 mini bagels plain or whole wheat
• 0.5 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 18 slices mini pepperoni
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• olive oil spray optional

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Mixing bowls
• Tongs
• Measuring spoons

Method

 

1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
2. Slice bagels in half and spray lightly with olive oil.
3. Spread pizza sauce evenly over each bagel half.
4. Add shredded mozzarella cheese and toppings.
5. Air fry 5–7 minutes until cheese is melted and edges are golden.
6. Cool slightly and serve warm.

Notes

Customize with any toppings — mushrooms, peppers, olives, or extra cheese. Perfect for snacks or parties.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Pizza Bagels

• Preheat Always: Even though some air fryers say it’s optional, preheating gives that signature crunch.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Cook in batches for even air circulation and perfect browning.
• Cheese Shielding: If your toppings start to fly around, add a toothpick through pepperoni slices or lightly press toppings into the cheese before cooking.
• Make-Ahead: Assemble and freeze your bagels, then air fry straight from frozen for an instant snack.

Variations to Try

• Veggie Delight: Add spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers for a colorful vegetarian option.
• BBQ Chicken Bagels: Use BBQ sauce instead of pizza sauce and top with cooked chicken and red onion.
• Breakfast Bagels: Spread a thin layer of marinara, top with scrambled eggs, cheese, and bacon bits.
• Margherita Style: Use fresh mozzarella slices, tomato sauce, and basil for a classic Italian touch.

Serving Suggestions

Serve air fryer pizza bagels as a main snack, a quick lunch, or a fun appetizer platter. Pair them with a small salad, veggie sticks, or a dipping trio of marinara, ranch, and garlic butter for an irresistible snack board.

They also make an excellent addition to lunchboxes or party trays — portable, delicious, and crowd-pleasing.

Fun Facts

• Pizza bagels were first popularized in the 1970s as a frozen snack invention in the U.S.
• Air fryers work by circulating hot air at high speed, which mimics deep-frying — giving you that crispy exterior without all the oil.
• Making pizza bagels at home cuts down on sodium and preservatives, making them a healthier choice compared to store-bought.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes — they’ll taste freshly made.

To freeze: assemble pizza bagels before air frying, place them on a tray to freeze solid, then store in a freezer bag. Air fry directly from frozen for 7–9 minutes.

Nutrition (per serving — 2 halves)

• Calories: 250
• Carbohydrates: 27g
• Protein: 11g
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 30mg
• Sodium: 480mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g