Crispy Cheesy Mini Bagels (Printable)

Crispy mini bagels topped with sauce, cheese, and pepperoni for a quick, flavorful snack.

# What You Need:

→ Bagels

01 - 6 mini plain bagels, halved

→ Sauce

02 - 1/2 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce

→ Cheese

03 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Toppings

04 - 1/4 cup mini pepperoni slices or chopped regular pepperoni (optional)
05 - 2 tablespoons sliced black olives (optional)
06 - 2 tablespoons diced bell pepper (optional)
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning

# Directions:

01 - Preheat air fryer to 375°F for 2 minutes.
02 - Arrange the halved mini bagels cut side up on a clean surface.
03 - Spread about 2 teaspoons of pizza sauce evenly over each bagel half.
04 - Distribute shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauced bagel halves.
05 - Top each with desired toppings such as pepperoni, black olives, or bell peppers.
06 - Sprinkle dried oregano or Italian seasoning over each mini pizza.
07 - Arrange as many mini bagel pizzas as possible in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for 5–6 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. Cook in batches if necessary.
08 - Carefully remove from air fryer and let cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're ready in 14 minutes flat, which means you can actually pull off "homemade pizza" on a Tuesday night.
  • The air fryer does all the work while you pour drinks or set out napkins.
  • One batch feeds a small crowd or gives you leftovers that somehow taste even better the next day.
02 -
  • Your air fryer's temperature might run hotter or cooler than marked, so check at the 4-minute mark the first time—better to add 30 seconds than serve charred bagels.
  • Don't skip the preheat, even though it's just 2 minutes; it's the difference between crispy and soggy.
  • Wet toppings like fresh tomatoes will steam and soften the bagel, so stick to dried or cured ingredients if you're not eating right away.
03 -
  • Brush the underside of each bagel half with a tiny bit of olive oil before saucing to ensure the bottom gets crispy instead of just soft.
  • If your cheese isn't melting evenly, your air fryer might have hot spots—rotate the basket halfway through cooking on your second batch to even things out.
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