Ah, the bagel. It’s probably one of the most common breakfast, brunch, and even lunch options in our house. Consider it a blank canvas on which you create your masterpiece. Today, I’ll show you how to toast a bagel in the air fryer for a quick and easy preparation method.
That’s right! Toasting your bagel in the air fryer is a quick and easy preparation method that gives you a warm, perfectly browned bagel.
You can use this method with any type of bagel too! I think for particularly messy bagels (like everything, garlic, or cinnamon sugar) that it makes cleanup easier.
If your bagel happens to be frozen, your air fryer can help there too! Learn how to defrost a bagel in the air fryer quickly and easily.
Can You Toast a Bagel in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can toast a bagel in the air fryer. In fact, it’s a great alternative for toasting bagels if you don’t have a toaster or toaster oven in your home.
Not to mention, it’s easy to rinse or pop the cooking chamber in the dishwasher after. No more dealing with crumb trays and messes!
The air fryer is great at making your breakfast and brunch items perfectly toasty. Check out how to cook frozen french toast sticks in the air fryer for another easy option.
What Temperature Do You Air Fry a Bagel to Toast it?
To toast a bagel in the air fryer, you should set it at 370 degrees Fahrenheit.
If, like my Ninja Dual Zone, your air fryer doesn’t have a setting for 370F, then 375F works perfectly fine as well.
This is the appropriate level to not dry it out, while still getting it warmed and browned. I mean, if you want to make bagel chips or croutons in the air fryer they’re delicious as well. However, not what we’re going for here!
If you want to add cream cheese before toasting it to make an air fryer bagel with cream cheese, then increase the temperature to 400 degrees.
How to Toast a Bagel in the Air Fryer: Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees F following manufacturer guidelines
- Cut a fresh or thawed bagel in half using a bread knife or similar serrated knife
- Place both sides of the bagel face up in the preheated air fryer basket, leaving air space between halves
- Air fry at 370 degrees F for 2-4 minutes
- Serve with your favorite bagel toppings
Note that if you have a dual basket air fryer like mine, you’ll likely need to put one side in each basket. Putting both the bagel halves in one overlaps and overcrowds them for me.
Other shaped baskets and air fryer toaster ovens likely won’t run into this issue, though.
In terms of cooking time, air frying your bagel for 2 minutes will give you a light toast, 3 minutes medium (pictured), and 4 is a darker toast. It’s the same concept as setting the dial on your toaster, so choose your personal preference!
I love to start making coffee in the microwave and then air fry my bagel, and they’re ready at about the same time. Now that’s an easy breakfast!
Can You Toast Mini Bagels in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can also toast mini bagels in the air fryer. Split them and toast them for 2 minutes in the air fryer at 350 degrees to start.
Remember you can always add more time if you’d like them more browned, but you don’t want to overcook them given the smaller surface area.
The great news is that all flavors of bagel seem to work equally well with the air frying toasting method, so use your favorites!
You can also cook bagel bites in the air fryer for mini bagels with a pizza twist!
Final Thoughts
Now that you know you can toast a bagel in the air fryer in under 5 minutes, you’ll have breakfast ready in no time.
The basket is much easier to clean over your toaster if you love messy or sticky bagels. I also enjoy heating up some lunch meat at the same time and making bagel sandwiches for lunch!
It’s a great way to get your breakfast or brunch ready while you take care of other things around the kitchen too.
Who wouldn’t like to start the day with a hot ham and cheese bagel in the air fryer?
For those craving a more unique flavor in the morning, I love the simplicity of this air fryer canned corn beef hash recipe!
For more options, check out our best air fryer breakfast recipes!
Easy Air Fryer Toasted Bagel
Equipment
- Bread knife (or similar serrated knife)
Ingredients
- 1 Bagel (any flavor) fresh or thawed
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 370°F following manufacturer guidelines
- Slice a fresh or thawed bagel in half using a bread knife or similar serrated knife1 Bagel (any flavor)
- Place both sides of the bagel face up in the preheated air fryer basket, leaving air space between halves
- Air fry at 370°F for 2-4 minutes
- Serve with your favorite bagel toppings
Notes
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a setting for 370 F, use 375 F instead
- Any flavor of bagel or mini bagel works just fine with this method
- 2 minutes gives you a light toast, and 4 is a darker toast
- For mini bagels, reduce temperature to 350 and start at 2 minutes
- If desired, you may add butter or cream cheese before cooking to heat the topping
- Raise the temperature to 400 degrees if you’re adding cream cheese and want it browned as well as the bagel
- Once the bagel is toasted, add your favorite toppings as desired. My suggestions are: butter (pictured), cream cheese, peanut (or any nut) butter, Nutella, cookie butter, maple cream, or cinnamon spread (pictured)
- Nutrition values will vary based on specific brand and flavor of bagel, and any toppings added, so please consider this a rough guideline
Nutrition
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
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