Air frying bagel bites is absolutely possible and can produce delicious results! An air fryer provides a convenient and easy way to cook frozen bagel bites so they come out hot and crispy on the outside with melted cheese on the inside.
What Are Bagel Bites?
Bagel bites are a popular frozen snack or appetizer consisting of small bagel halves with pizza sauce and cheese baked inside, resembling mini pizzas. Traditional flavors include cheese, pepperoni, and sausage, but many other varieties exist as well. Bagel bites were invented in the 1980s and remain a staple freezer food today.
Benefits of Air Frying Bagel Bites
There are several advantages to cooking bagel bites in an air fryer:
- Air frying is fast – Bagel bites cook up crispy in just 8-12 minutes in an air fryer, versus 18-22 minutes in a traditional oven.
- Air frying gives them a crispy texture – The circulating hot air of an air fryer crisps up the outside of bagel bites perfectly.
- An air fryer requires little to no oil – Air frying is a healthier cooking method that relies on hot air rather than large amounts of oil for crisping.
- An air fryer is convenient – Simply place bagel bites in the fryer basket and set the timer. Minimal prep or cleanup required.
- Air frying evenly cooks frozen snacks – No need to thaw bagel bites, you can air fry them straight from the freezer.
In summary, air frying makes cooking bagel bites fast, easy, and tasty. The compact countertop appliances produce crispy, delicious results in a fraction of the time required by a traditional oven.
How to Air Fry Bagel Bites
Follow these simple steps for perfect air fried bagel bites:
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- Arrange frozen bagel bites in air fryer basket in a single layer, not overcrowded.
- Set air fryer timer for 6 minutes.
- After 6 minutes, shake basket or flip bagel bites.
- Cook for an additional 2-6 minutes, until hot and slightly browned.
- Check frequently and remove any excessively browned pieces.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the capacity and model of your particular air fryer. But generally expect bagel bites to be done in a total of 8-12 minutes. Some trial and error may be needed to determine the ideal timing.
Tips for Air Frying Bagel Bites
- Don’t overcrowd – Air frying works best with a single layer. Overloading will result in uneven cooking.
- Toss/flip midway – Turning the bagel bites guarantees both sides get evenly crisped.
- Brush with oil if needed – For added crispness, brush bagel bites lightly with oil before cooking.
- Track timing carefully – Bagel bites go from done to burnt quickly, so watch closely.
- Allow resting time – Let sit 1-2 minutes out of the air fryer before eating for the hottest bites.
Best Air Fryer Settings for Bagel Bites
Based on most air fryer manuals and expert recommendations, here are the optimal appliance settings for making bagel bites:
| Air Fryer Function | Best Setting |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 370°F – 390°F |
| Time | 8-14 minutes |
| Shake/Flip | Halfway through |
At a temperature between 370-390°F, bagel bites will heat through and become crispy in 8-12 minutes. Flipping halfway helps them brown evenly. Exact timing depends on your air fryer capacity. Start checking at 8 minutes and adjust as needed.
Optional Settings
- Preheat – Preheat the air fryer for 1-3 minutes to expedite cooking.
- Brushing oil – Lightly coating bagel bites in olive oil or cooking spray enhances crispness.
- Shake reminder – Use shake reminder function if your model has this feature.
Troubleshooting Air Fried Bagel Bites
Use this troubleshooting guide if your air fried bagel bites don’t turn out right:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Uneven cooking | Don’t overcrowd, flip bagel bites halfway through cooking |
| Not crisp enough | Increase temperature slightly, brush with oil before cooking |
| Overly browned | Reduce cooking time, monitor closely near end |
| Unmelted cheese | Cook 1-2 minutes longer, increase temperature by 25°F |
| Dried out | Don’t cook too long, reduce time by a couple minutes |
Following the recommended tips and adjusting the cook time as needed will help avoid any undesirable results. Air frying bagel bites takes some trial and error to perfect.
Air Fryer Brands That Work Well for Bagel Bites
While most modern air fryers will work great for cooking bagel bites, certain brands consistently receive high marks. Here are top air fryers for bagel bites based on performance and owner reviews:
| Brand | Model |
|---|---|
| Ninja | AF101, AF160 |
| Instant | Vortex Air Fryer |
| Cuisinart | TOA-60 |
| Philips | Avance, TurboStar, XXL |
| Dash | Tasti Crisp |
| Cosori | Smart, Max XL |
Top performers like the Ninja Foodi or Philips XXL have enough capacity for cooking bagel bites in bulk. Smaller models like the Dash Tasti Crisp work well too but can only handle smaller batches.
Best Practices for Air Frying Bagel Bites
Follow these expert tips and tricks for flawlessly air fried bagel bites every time:
- Use cooking spray on the fryer basket to prevent sticking.
- Allow appliance to fully preheat before adding bagel bites.
- Separate any bagel bites that are stuck together before air frying.
- Don’t pack bites too densely or airflow will be restricted.
- Set a timer and shake the basket midway through cooking.
- Brush oil on top of bagel bites for an extra crispy finish.
- Let bites rest 1-2 minutes before serving for optimal texture.
- Work in batches for larger amounts, refilling fryer basket as needed.
- Adjust cook times based on your particular model’s power.
Adhering to these simple guidelines will help you achieve perfect, crispy results every time you air fry bagel bites.
Common Questions about Air Frying Bagel Bites
Should you flip bagel bites during air frying?
Yes, flipping bagel bites halfway through the air fry time is recommended. Flipping promotes even cooking and browning on both sides.
Can you put frozen bagel bites directly in an air fryer?
Absolutely. One benefit of air frying is that it cooks from frozen. No need to thaw bagel bites first before placing them in the preheated air fryer.
Do you need oil to air fry bagel bites?
You do not need oil to air fry bagel bites. However, brushing a small amount of oil on top can help enhance browning and texture.
How long does it take to cook bagel bites in an air fryer?
Cooking times range from 8-12 minutes if following the recommended 375°F temperature. Cook times vary based on air fryer model, capacity, and batch size.
Should you spray bagel bites with cooking spray before air frying?
Yes, lightly coating the bagel bites in cooking spray is advised to prevent sticking to the fryer basket surface.
Tips for Serving Air Fried Bagel Bites
- Serve immediately for hottest, crunchiest results.
- Provide marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.
- Pair with celery sticks and ranch dressing for an easy appetizer.
- Top with extra shredded cheese, pepperoni, or Italian seasonings.
- Bake a larger batch and keep warm in the oven until ready to serve.
Air fried bagel bites make a fun finger food for game day, parties, and other gatherings. Their crispy outside and melty cheese interior never disappoint!
Substitutions and Variations for Air Fried Bagel Bites
Customize air fried bagel bites with these fun and easy ideas:
Flavor Ideas
- Southwest – Black beans, salsa, cheddar cheese
- Greek – Spinach, feta cheese, tzatziki sauce
- Hawaiian – Ham, pineapple
- Buffalo – Buffalo chicken, hot sauce, blue cheese
Base Substitutions
- Mini sandwich rolls
- Pretzel bites
- Slices of French bread
- English muffins
The mini pizza possibilities are endless! Feel free to get creative with your own custom bagel bite fillings.
Conclusion
Air frying provides a quick and convenient way to cook frozen bagel bites until crispy and melty. Simply preheat your air fryer to 375°F, cook bites for 8-12 minutes while flipping halfway, and enjoy! Following the guidance in this article will help you achieve crunchy, perfectly cooked bagel bites using the air frying method.