If you’ve ever dreamed of making fresh, homemade bagels without the usual hassle, you are going to love this Easy Air Fryer Bagels Recipe. It brings together a handful of simple ingredients and the magic of the air fryer to deliver soft, chewy bagels that have just the right golden crust. Whether you’re craving a quick breakfast treat or a snack that feels special, these bagels come together so quickly and taste incredible. Trust me, once you try this method, store-bought bagels will feel a little less exciting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Easy Air Fryer Bagels Recipe is delightfully simple, relying on a few essentials that pack a lot of flavor and texture. Each ingredient plays its part, from the soft tang of Greek yogurt to the light lift provided by baking powder, resulting in a tender yet satisfyingly chewy bagel.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure and chewiness that bagels are known for.
- ½ tablespoon baking powder: Acts as a natural leavening agent, helping the bagels rise beautifully without yeast.
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances flavors and enhances the dough’s overall taste.
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (whole milk or non-fat): Adds moisture and a subtle tang, making the dough soft and tender.
- 1 egg: Used to create an egg wash that gives the bagels a shiny, golden finish.
- 1 tablespoon water: Mixed with the egg to create the perfect glaze consistency.
- Bagel toppings of choice: Sesame seeds, coarse salt, or everything bagel seasoning add an irresistible crunch and flavor boost.
How to Make Easy Air Fryer Bagels Recipe
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. This ensures even distribution of the leavening and seasoning, setting a solid foundation for your dough.
Step 2: Add Greek Yogurt and Form Dough
Next, add the plain Greek yogurt to the dry mixture. Stir with a spatula until you create a sticky dough that easily forms into a ball. The yogurt adds moisture and a tender crumb without needing extra oil or butter.
Step 3: Shape the Bagels
Divide the dough ball into 4 equal parts. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into an 8-inch rope. Bring the ends of each rope together and pinch to seal, creating the classic bagel shape. This step is key to ensuring evenly shaped bagels that cook uniformly.
Step 4: Prepare Air Fryer Basket
Lightly grease the bottom of your air fryer basket using non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the formed bagels inside, leaving about an inch of space around each to allow for expansion during cooking. If your air fryer basket is compact, consider cooking the bagels in two batches.
Step 5: Apply Egg Wash and Add Toppings
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create a glossy egg wash. Brush this mixture evenly over the bagels, then sprinkle your chosen toppings generously to enhance flavor and texture.
Step 6: Air Fry the Bagels
Set your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the bagels for 10 minutes. You’ll notice them rise and develop a beautifully golden, slightly crisp exterior, all while keeping that delightful chew inside.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Carefully remove the basket and let the bagels cool for 5 minutes. You can slice and enjoy them warm right away, or wait until they come to room temperature for toasting later. Either way, the fresh aroma and flavor are unbeatable.
How to Serve Easy Air Fryer Bagels Recipe
Garnishes
Adding the right garnish can turn your bagel experience from good to unforgettable. Classic sesame or poppy seeds add crunch, coarse salt delivers a salty bite, and everything bagel seasoning brings a burst of savory flavor that pairs beautifully with the crispy crust.
Side Dishes
These bagels are incredibly versatile, making them perfect alongside cream cheese spreads, smoked salmon, sliced avocado, or even a cozy bowl of soup. Pairing with fresh fruit or a cold brew coffee creates a balanced and satisfying meal for any time of day.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful with your presentation by slicing the bagels in half and layering them with colorful veggies, flavorful cheeses, or your favorite deli meats. Turn them into mini sandwiches for brunch parties or cut into bite-sized pieces for a fun appetizer spread.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover bagels keep best when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This helps maintain their soft inside and chewy texture without them drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze these air fryer bagels for longer storage by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months, making them perfect to prepare in advance for busy mornings.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy your bagels, toast them lightly or reheat in the air fryer at 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 3–4 minutes. This revives their crisp exterior while keeping the inside warm and soft, just like freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I substitute Greek yogurt with regular yogurt?
Greek yogurt is preferred here because of its thicker texture, which helps create the perfect dough consistency. Regular yogurt can be used but may make the dough wetter, so you might need to add a bit more flour to compensate.
Do I need to boil the bagels before air frying?
One of the best things about this Easy Air Fryer Bagels Recipe is that there’s no boiling required. The baking powder acts as the leavening, and air frying gives the bagels a golden crust without the extra step.
Can I add flavors like cinnamon or herbs to the dough?
Absolutely! Feel free to mix in cinnamon, garlic powder, or chopped fresh herbs into the dough to customize your bagels. Just be cautious with strong flavors so they don’t overpower the natural tang from the yogurt.
What size air fryer works best for this recipe?
A standard air fryer with at least a 3-quart capacity can usually fit these bagels comfortably. If your air fryer is smaller, just cook the bagels in batches to ensure they have space to cook evenly.
Are these bagels suitable for a gluten-free diet?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as is. However, you can experiment with gluten-free baking blends, but the texture might differ slightly from traditional bagels.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Easy Air Fryer Bagels Recipe enough if you want homemade bagels in a snap with minimal fuss. It’s a fun and satisfying way to bring fresh-baked goodness into your kitchen, and the flexibility in toppings and serving ideas means you’re always just a few steps away from your perfect bite. Give it a try—you might just make these a staple in your cooking rotation!
Print
Easy Air Fryer Bagels Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 bagels
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easy Air Fryer Bagels are a quick and simple homemade treat perfect for breakfast or snacks. Made with just a few basic ingredients including Greek yogurt and baking powder, these bagels are soft, fluffy, and baked to golden perfection in your air fryer. Customize with your favorite toppings like sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning for added flavor.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (whole milk or non-fat)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Toppings (Optional)
- Sesame seeds
- Coarse salt
- Everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
- Prepare Dough: Add the Greek yogurt to the dry mixture and mix well using a spatula until a sticky dough forms. Shape the dough into a ball.
- Shape Bagels: Cut the dough ball into 4 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece into an 8-inch long rope. Bring the ends together and pinch tightly to form a classic bagel shape.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly grease the bottom of the air fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray. Arrange the bagels inside, leaving about an inch between each. If your air fryer is small, cook in two batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Apply Egg Wash and Toppings: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Lightly brush this egg wash over the tops and sides of the bagels. Sprinkle your choice of toppings, such as sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning.
- Air Fry Bagels: Set the air fryer to 350°F and cook the bagels for 10 minutes, or until they have risen and turned golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the basket from the air fryer and let the bagels cool for 5 minutes before transferring them out. Slice and serve warm or allow to cool completely before toasting.
Notes
- You may need to cook the bagels in batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
- Using whole milk Greek yogurt adds richness, but non-fat Greek yogurt works well too.
- Feel free to customize toppings or omit them for plain bagels.
- Let the bagels cool slightly before slicing to prevent tearing.
- Bagels can be toasted after cooling for added crunch.
