Fitness / March 14, 2024

Crispy Air-Fryer Bagel Bites

With this Bagel Bites recipe, make mini pizzas—complete with pepperoni, mozzarella, and tomato sauce done over a toasted bagel—effortlessly in the air fryer.

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Considering how snack-hungry my kids are, it’s a wonder I don’t just focus all my time in developing recipes to be made between meals. At first, I didn’t want to spend too much time making elaborate snacks because “elaborate” usually means “filling” and I worry they won’t eat their dinner. (Silly me, as this doesn’t seem to be a problem for them and their insatiable appetites.)

Now that I realize I’m not doing my dinners a disservice, I’m all about new and interesting snacks that will get my kids over their hunger gap. One fun and delicious “bridge” I go to frequently is these bagel bites.

They are like mini pizzas made with bagels instead of traditional dough. They are full of energy (like my kids) and are better for them than the sugar-laden snacks they might otherwise reach for. Plus, we get to make them together, as I task them with applying their own toppings. This recipe outlines how to make your “traditional” pepperoni bagel bite but have fun concocting your own menus.

Are Bagel Bites Healthy?

Bagel bites are, to me, healthy when compared to other snacks. While chips and chocolate make for excellent desserts, I don’t like my kids eating them between meals. I’d rather they rely on something that will keep them full until dinner and has something to offer by way of nutrients. The bagels deliver the carbs and energy while the pepperoni delivers protein. The cheese, meanwhile, injects fat. It all makes for a well-rounded snack. Which diets these bites are suitable for depends on the toppings used, though the use of bagels makes them incompatible with low-carb and gluten-free diets. The cheese, meanwhile, would have to be omitted for a dairy-free diet.

Which Other Toppings Do You Recommend?

I usually take whatever I can find in the fridge and have fun mixing and matching, but if you want to approach your bagel bites more strategically, you can’t go wrong with these flavor themes:

Margherita: tomato sauce, mozzarella slices, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil
Vegetarian: bell peppers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, with goat or feta cheese
Hawaiian: barbecue sauce (instead of tomato), mozzarella, ham, and pineapple
Going ‘Dippy’: Creamy spinach and artichoke dip, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.

INGREDIENTS

16 mini bagels, halved
1 cup pizza sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices
1 tsp Italian seasoning

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat

Get your air fryer ready by setting it to 360°F and letting it warm up.

Assemble

Layer each bagel half with pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.

Arrange

Place the bagel halves in the air fryer basket in a single layer for even cooking.

Cook

Air fry the bagel bites until the cheese is bubbly and they’re crispy to your liking.

Enjoy

Remove the bagel bites, let them cool for a moment, and then serve. DEVOUR!

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

Can I prep these bagel bites?

Yes, you can. You can assemble them then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Or you can lay out the assembled bagel bites on a baking sheet and flash freeze them in the freezer. Once solid, they can be stored in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to two months. You can cook them in the air fryer from frozen; it will just take a bit longer.

How do I store these bagel bites?

Cooked but uneaten bagel bites can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to three days. You can also freeze them by following the steps outlined in the previous question. Then reheat in the air fryer from frozen.

What is in Italian seasoning?

Look on the label of a jar of Italian seasoning and you should see a combination of the following: thyme, dried oregano, rosemary, garlic powder, basil, onion powder, sage, marjoram, and parsley. Sure, you can buy all these separately (I don’t doubt you have a spice rack full of them) but it’s much easier to buy it prepackaged. I usually refer to my Italian seasoning then add individual herbs and spices as I see fit.

How many calories are in a bagel bite?

There are 231 calories in each serving (2 bagel bites). Bagels are calorically dense so they constitute a majority of that number.

Why aren’t my bagel bites crispy?

Assuming you set the air fryer to the right temperature and let it adequately warm up, did you overcrowd the air fryer? Doing so prevents the heat from accessing the bites from all angles, resulting in undercooked (i.e., untoasted) bagels. Another trick is to lightly brush your bagels with olive oil or some other oil with a high smoke point.

Is pizza sauce the same as marinara or tomato sauce?

Tomato sauce is the generic term to describe any sauce made from tomatoes, which includes both pizza sauce and marinara. Marinara is generally thinner, let to simmer longer, and used predominantly for pasta dishes. Pizza sauce, on the other hand, is thicker, doesn’t need simmering, and is found—you guessed it!—on pizza. For this recipe, stick to pizza sauce.

Other Snack Suggestions To Try

Protein Puppy Chow: If you can get past the name, you’ll enjoy a super simple, gluten-free, high-protein snack flavored with chocolate and peanut butter.
Air-Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs: The ultimate simple snack. So good for you and can also be done in the air fryer.
Homemade Ritz Crackers: Why pay for a box when you can make a more nutritious version at home?

Crispy Air-Fryer Bagel Bites

With this Bagel Bites recipe, make mini pizzas—complete with pepperoni, mozzarella, and tomato sauce done over a toasted bagel—effortlessly in the air fryer.

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6

Total Time 16

Servings

Calories 231kcal

Author FoodFaithFitness

Ingredients

16 mini bagels halved
1 cup pizza sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup mini pepperoni slices
1 tsp Italian seasoning

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 360°F, which usually takes about 5 minutes. If your air fryer tends to stick, give the basket a quick spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Spread a thin layer of pizza sauce on each bagel half, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Add mini pepperoni slices and a dash of Italian seasoning for extra flavor.
Place the prepared bagel halves in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching for even cooking.
Air fry the bagel bites at 360°F for 4-6 minutes. Keep an eye on them after 4 minutes to prevent overcooking. Each air fryer is different, so adjust the time as needed.
Once the cheese is melted and the bagel bites are golden and crispy, carefully remove them with tongs and serve immediately. DEVOUR!