Pin Last Tuesday found me staring at a half-empty bag of mini bagels while my kids raided the pantry for after-school snacks. The air fryer hummed in the corner, and suddenly I remembered watching those TikTok videos where people turned everything into pizza. Ten minutes later, the kitchen smelled like melted mozzarella and happy chaos.
My youngest claimed she could eat twelve of them in one sitting, which turned into a funny family challenge. Now we make double batches and keep disappearing them throughout the week as midnight snacks or quick lunch box fillers.
Ingredients
- Mini plain bagels: Halved crosswise creates the perfect crispy crust foundation that holds up remarkably well under toppings
- Pizza sauce: Two teaspoons per bagel half gives you just enough sauce flavor without making the bread soggy
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Freshly shredded melts better than pre-shredded, creating those irresistible cheese pulls
- Mini pepperoni: These little cups curl up and get delightfully crispy in the air fryers heat
- Italian seasoning: A light dusting ties everything together with that classic pizza parlor aroma
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer:
- Set your air fryer to 375°F and let it warm up for about 2 minutes while you prep your toppings station
- Prep your canvas:
- Lay out all those mini bagel halves on a cutting board, facing up like little edible plates waiting for their transformation
- Sauce it up:
- Spread roughly 2 teaspoons of sauce across each bagel half, leaving just the tiniest border around the edges for that authentic pizza crust look
- Cheese time:
- Pile on the mozzarella, dividing it evenly so every single bagel gets its fair share of melty goodness
- Make them yours:
- Scatter whatever toppings make your heart happy—pepperoni, olives, bell peppers, or whatever else you have lurking in the fridge
- Season and arrange:
- Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, then carefully place as many as will fit in your air fryer basket in a single layer
- Air fry to perfection:
- Cook at 375°F for 5 to 6 minutes until the cheese bubbles and turns golden brown and the bagel edges get crispy
- The hardest part:
- Let them cool for just a couple minutes so you do not burn the roof of your mouth on that molten cheese
Pin Movie night became something entirely different once these entered rotation. Everyone builds their own custom creations, and somehow the kitchen stays cleaner than when we attempt full-sized pizzas.
Topping Magic
The beauty here lies in how adaptable these are. I have made versions with leftover cooked sausage from breakfast, mushrooms that needed using, and even a pineapple experiment that divided the household but somehow disappeared anyway.
Batch Cooking Wisdom
When feeding a crowd, I pre-sauce and pre-cheese all the bagels beforehand on a large baking sheet. Then everyone can add their toppings and I just keep cycling them through the air fryer assembly-line style.
Serving Strategies
These shine alongside a simple green salad or a bowl of vegetable soup for a genuinely satisfying dinner. They also work remarkably well as party food, disappearing faster than you can replenish the platter.
- Set up a topping bar and let guests build their own creations
- Keep extra warm sauce on the side for dipping
- Make a game night tradition out of custom flavor combinations
Pin Simple, fast, and somehow always satisfying—these remind me that the best recipes often come from moments of kitchen improvisation.
Recipe Q&A
- → What bagels work best for this dish?
Small plain mini bagels halved provide the perfect base, offering a crisp exterior and soft inside once cooked.
- → Can I use different cheeses instead of mozzarella?
Yes, feel free to swap mozzarella for cheeses like cheddar or provolone to vary the flavor and meltiness.
- → How do I ensure the toppings cook evenly?
Distribute toppings evenly and avoid overloading each piece, allowing the air fryer’s hot air to crisp every bite.
- → Is it possible to make these gluten-free?
Absolutely, using gluten-free mini bagels provides a suitable alternative without compromising texture or taste.
- → What is the best way to reheat leftovers?
Reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to restore crispiness and melt cheese without sogginess.