Air Fryer Bagels: Toast or Bake from Scratch

The air fryer is one of the better ways to toast a bagel. Better than the toaster for thick bagels that get barely warm in the middle, and better than the oven for speed. You get a genuinely crispy surface on both halves in about 3 minutes. But the more interesting thing is that you can also bake small batch bagels from scratch in the air fryer in about 15 minutes, using the same yogurt dough technique that has made two-ingredient bagels famous on every food blog. This guide covers both: the quick toast method and the from-scratch approach.

Air Fryer Toasted Bagels

This is the simplest thing you can do. Slice a bagel in half. Place both halves cut-side up in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 370F for 3 to 4 minutes until the cut surfaces are golden and crispy and the outside is slightly firm. No butter needed before toasting, though spreading softened butter on the cut side before air frying produces a richer, more golden-brown result similar to a skillet-toasted bagel.

For a loaded bagel melt: toast the bagel first, then add toppings (cream cheese, lox, tomato, capers) cold. For a warm sandwich: top with cheese and fillings and return to the air fryer at 360F for 2 to 3 more minutes until the cheese melts.

Two-Ingredient Air Fryer Bagels

These bagels use Greek yogurt and self-rising flour. They come together in under 10 minutes and bake in about 15. The result is a dense, chewy bagel that is excellent toasted and significantly better than the effort suggests.

Ingredients (makes 4 bagels):

• 1 cup self-rising flour (or 1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1.5 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt)
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2 percent, not non-fat)
• 1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water (egg wash)
• Toppings: everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, salt flakes, or a mix

Instructions:

Mix flour and yogurt together with a fork until a shaggy dough forms. Turn onto a floured surface and knead for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth. The dough will be slightly sticky. Divide into 4 equal pieces.

Roll each piece into a rope about 8 to 9 inches long and join the ends, pinching firmly to seal into a ring. Or roll into a ball and poke a finger through the center, stretching gently to create the hole.

Preheat air fryer to 350F. Line the basket with parchment paper and spray. Place the bagels on the parchment, not touching. Brush with egg wash. Sprinkle with your chosen topping, pressing gently so it adheres.

Air fry at 350F for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown on top and the inside is cooked through. The bagels are done when they sound hollow when tapped on the bottom and the outside is deep golden. Let cool 5 minutes before slicing.

Traditional Yeasted Air Fryer Bagels

For a more authentic chewy, dense bagel with the characteristic skin that comes from a baking soda bath:

Ingredients (makes 6 bagels):

• 1 cup warm water (110F)
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 3 cups bread flour (high protein content creates more chew)
• 1.5 tsp salt
• For the baking soda bath: 4 cups water plus 3 tbsp baking soda

Dissolve yeast in warm water with sugar. Let sit 5 minutes until foamy. Mix in flour and salt, knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise for 1 hour. Punch down, divide into 6 balls, shape into rings.

Boil the baking soda bath and dip each bagel for 30 seconds per side. This creates the characteristic shine and chew. Pat dry, brush with egg wash, add toppings. Air fry at 370F for 12 to 14 minutes until deep golden brown.

Toppings and Seasonings

Everything bagel seasoning: The combination of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt is the most popular topping for a reason. Buy it pre-made or mix your own.

Cinnamon raisin: Add 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/3 cup of raisins to the yogurt dough. Omit the savory toppings and dust lightly with cinnamon sugar before baking.

Asiago or cheddar: Press shredded cheese onto the egg-washed top of each bagel. The cheese melts and browns into the surface during baking for a savory, cheesy crust.

Blueberry: Fold 1/3 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries into the yogurt dough. These make excellent bagels for cream cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reheat a cold bagel in the air fryer? Yes. Slice in half and air fry at 350F for 3 to 4 minutes from room temperature, or 4 to 5 minutes from refrigerated. Much better result than the microwave.

Why are my yogurt bagels dense? Dense bagels from this method are normal because there is no yeast fermentation creating air pockets. The Greek yogurt method produces a denser bagel than yeasted bagels. Using full-fat yogurt (not non-fat) helps with texture. Ensure you knead the dough until smooth.

Can I use flavored Greek yogurt for bagels? Stick with plain. Flavored yogurts have added sugars and flavors that affect how the dough handles and the final taste. Plain full-fat Greek yogurt is the right choice.

How do I store homemade bagels? Room temperature in a sealed bag for up to 2 days. Slice before freezing for easy toasting directly from frozen. Freeze up to 3 months and toast from frozen at 370F for 4 to 5 minutes per side.

Can I make bagel sandwiches in the air fryer? Yes. Toast the bagel first, then assemble a cold or hot sandwich. For a hot bagel melt, add fillings and return to the air fryer at 360F for 2 to 3 minutes just until the cheese melts. Works great for a deli-style hot sandwich.