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; Mini pepperoni, as needed for topping

There’s something incredibly satisfying about a crispy, melty mini pizza that you can whip up in minutes — that’s exactly why I’m excited to share this Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe with you. These bite-sized treats are perfect for snacking, quick lunches, or whenever you want a fun, easy dish with maximum flavor and minimal fuss.

The image shows several small round pizzas on a crinkled brown paper background. Each pizza has three visible layers: a light beige thin crust base, a bright red tomato sauce spread evenly on top, and a golden-brown melted cheese layer that covers most of the surface with some bubbling and browning spots. Some pizzas have small round slices of pepperoni scattered across the cheese layer. One of the pizzas near the top left corner is shaped like a heart, with all its layers matching the others. The background texture is changed to white marble. 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 hits the perfect balance between simplicity and deliciousness. I love how fast it comes together, and the air fryer gives the bagel a perfectly crispy edge without drying out the toppings.

Super Quick Snack: From start to finish, these bagel bites are ready in under 5 minutes — hardly any prep or waiting.
Perfectly Crispy Every Time: The air fryer crisps up the bagel exterior while melting the cheese just right.
Customizable Toppings: Whether you like classic pepperoni or something more adventurous, this recipe adapts beautifully.
Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: These are a guaranteed hit at family gatherings or casual get-togethers.

Six mini bagel pizzas are placed on a black wire rack over a white marbled surface. Each bagel is topped with a layer of bright red tomato sauce spread evenly over the top half of the bagel, followed by a thick, bubbly layer of melted golden-yellow cheese that has browned slightly from baking. Three of the bagel pizzas have small round slices of brown sausage scattered on top of the cheese. The bagels have a light, slightly toasted brown crust visible around the edges. The wire rack grid creates a neat pattern beneath the bagels, and the photo has a clean, bright look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a role in making these bagel bites both simple and irresistibly tasty. The mini bagels act as a sturdy, chewy base, while fresh mozzarella melts beautifully, and pizza sauce ties everything together with savory, tangy notes.

Flat lay of four mini bagels halved, a small bowl of bright red pizza sauce, a generous pile of freshly grated mozzarella cheese, and neatly arranged mini pepperoni slices, all beautifully set with vibrant colors and textures contrasting, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Mini Bagels: Their size is perfect for bite-sized snacks, and they crisp wonderfully without getting soggy.
Pizza Sauce: Use a flavorful sauce with a nice balance of herbs and acidity—it’s the heart of the taste here.
Mozzarella Cheese: Freshly grated melts fast and gooey, giving you that authentic pizza bite feel.
Mini Pepperoni (optional): Classic topping that adds a savory, slightly spicy kick — but feel free to swap it out!

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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

One of my favorite parts about this Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe is how easy it is to tailor it to your taste. I often mix things up depending on my mood or what’s in the fridge.

Variation: I love switching out the pizza sauce for pesto or BBQ sauce—trust me, it gives a fresh, exciting spin. Once, I made a sweet version with cream cheese and jam that turned into an instant breakfast favorite!

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

Step 1: Spread the Sauce

First, slice your mini bagels in half and spread a thin layer of your chosen pizza sauce on each. I usually use just enough so the bagel doesn’t get soggy, but still tastes rich and tangy. Don’t be shy here — that sauce is key for flavor!

Step 2: Add Cheese and Toppings

Next, sprinkle a generous amount of freshly grated mozzarella over the sauce. I find fresh mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded stuff. Then top with mini pepperoni slices or your preferred toppings — feel free to get creative with veggies or different meats!

Step 3: Air Fry to Perfection

Place the bagel bites in a single layer in your air fryer basket and cook at 180°C (350°F) for about 4 minutes. Keep an eye on them — you want bubbling cheese and crisp edges, but no burning. If you’re making a big batch, do this in turns to keep them crispy.

Top Tip

From my experience, these small details really boost your Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe results — and I wanted to share the tricks that save me from soggy or unevenly cooked bites.

Use Mini Bagels: Larger bagels won’t crisp up as nicely and can take longer to cook.
Don’t Overload Toppings: Too much sauce or cheese will make the bite soggy. Keep it balanced for the perfect crunch and melty center.
Preheat Your Air Fryer: This ensures that your bagel bites get cooked evenly right from the start.
Cook in Batches: Avoid stacking bites for best airflow and crispiness. Trust me, you’ll get better results this way.

How to Serve Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe

Air Fryer Bagel Bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like tossing a few fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes on top just before serving. It adds a nice pop of color and flavor without overpowering the classic taste. A drizzle of chili oil is also amazing if you want a little heat.

Side Dishes

Bagel bites are a perfect snack on their own, but I often pair them with a crisp salad or veggie sticks for balance. Sometimes, I serve them alongside a bowl of homemade tomato soup — the combo just feels cozy and comforting.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange the bagel bites on a colorful platter with small bowls of dips like ranch, garlic aioli, or extra pizza sauce for dunking. I even tried stacking them like little mini sandwiches for a fun twist — they disappeared fast!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Whenever I have leftovers of this Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe, I pop them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. They stay good for up to three days, making for a quick snack or lunch the next day.

Freezing

I’ve also froze these bites with great success. Just let them cool completely, arrange them on a tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag — they keep well for up to three months. Perfect for meal prep!

Reheating

When it’s time to reheat, I pop the bagel bites back into a preheated air fryer for 3-4 minutes. This keeps the crust crisp and the cheese melty. Microwaving works in a pinch, but you’ll lose that satisfying crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular-sized bagels for this Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe?

While you can use regular-sized bagels, mini bagels work best because they cook faster and become crispier, giving that perfect bite-sized pizza snack experience. If using larger bagels, you may need to increase cooking time and monitor for crispness.

What if I don’t have mini pepperoni?

No worries! You can substitute mini pepperoni with sliced olives, diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or even cooked sausage bits. This recipe is very flexible, so just use your favorite pizza toppings or whatever you have on hand.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the bagel bites and store them in the fridge for up to a day before air frying. This is great when prepping for a party or quick snack later on.

What temperature and time should I use if my air fryer has different settings?

I recommend setting your air fryer to about 350°F (180°C) and checking after 4 minutes. Every model is a bit different, so if your bites aren’t quite done, add a minute or two but keep a close eye to avoid burning.

Final Thoughts

This Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe holds a special spot in my snack arsenal — it's quick, versatile, and always a crowd-pleaser. I hope you’ll try making these for your next snack attack or casual gathering. Trust me, once you get the hang of it, it becomes one of those go-to recipes you’ll turn to again and again for an easy, tasty bite. Enjoy the crispy, cheesy goodness!