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.
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!
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!
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.
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 knife
1 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
Keyword air fryer bagel, bagel, bagel with cream cheese in air fryer, everything bagel air fryer, toast bagel in ninja air fryer, toasted bagel, toasted bagel air fryer
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!
