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! Did you know you can toast a bagel in the air fryer for a quick and easy preparation method? I’ll show you how!
That’s right! Toasting your bagel in the air fryer is a quick and easy preparation method that gives you a warm, browned bagel – perfection!
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.
Can You Toast a Bagel in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can toast a bagel in the air fryer – the hot air circulation is perfect for getting a browned top. In fact, it’s a great alternative for toasting bagels if you don’t have a toaster or toaster oven in your home (save that counter space)!
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!
You can then enjoy your bagel with toppings like butter, jam, or cream cheese, or add savory options and make it into a breakfast sandwich.
Katie’s tip
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.
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Ingredients List
- 1 bagel, any flavor
- Toppings as desired
Ingredient Notes
- You can toast as many bagels at a time as fit in your air fryer’s basket or rack in a single layer, without changing cooking time. I can fit two (usually, it does depend on bagel size as well) at a time in my 8-qt basket style air fryer, but it will vary based on your specific model
- Any type of bagel is fine (I have a plain bagel). Onion bagels, cinnamon raisin bagels, a sesame bagel, blueberry bagel, and everything bagels are great too, so use your favorite bagels (defrost in advance if you’re using a frozen variety)! You can even find a homemade bagel recipe over in my best Air Fryer Blueberry Recipes!
Step By Step Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 370°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 cut-side up in the preheated air fryer basket, leaving air space between halves (cook in batches if needed to not overcrowd)
- Air fry at 370°F for 2-4 minutes
- Serve with your favorite bagel toppings!
What to Serve With a Bagel For Breakfast
Savory Pairings
- Scrambled or Fried Eggs – Serve them on the side or sandwich-style!
- Bacon or Sausage – Classic and filling, especially with egg and cheese
- Avocado – Mashed with lime and salt or sliced for a fresh topping
- Smoked Salmon (Lox) – A traditional pairing with cream cheese, capers, and red onion
- Cream Cheese Variations – Try flavored options like herb, chive, veggie, or jalapeño
Sweet Pairings
- Fruit Salad – Fresh berries, melon, or citrus brighten up the plate
- Yogurt & Granola – A creamy and crunchy contrast to the chewy bagel
- Nut Butters & Honey – Almond butter with banana or peanut butter with a drizzle of honey is delicious
- Jam & Jelly – Try a delicious fruit spread to top your bagel – like strawberry jam, my homemade Microwave Peach Jam, or another favorite!
Drinks to Pair
- Coffee or Espresso – Classic for good reason! 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!
- Fresh Juice – Orange, grapefruit, or a green juice for a lighter touch
- Smoothies – Adds fruit and protein to your breakfast easily. Try any of my amazing Smoothie Recipes!
Recipe FAQs
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°F 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.
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°F. If, like my Ninja Dual Zone, your air fryer doesn’t have a setting for 370°F, then 375°F 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.
Is Air Frying a Bagel Good?
Yes, air frying a bagel is a great way to quickly achieve crispy bagels on the outside with a soft, warm center.
It’s especially useful for reheating day-old bagels or toasting halves for sandwiches. Just a few minutes in the air fryer gives you that fresh-from-the-bakery texture without needing to turn on the oven.
Tips For the Best Air Fried Bagel
- Note that if you have a dual basket air fryer like mine, you may need to put one side of the bagel 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!
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Storage: Let the toasted bagel cool completely, then wrap it in foil or place it in an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 1 day, or in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Reheating: To re-crisp the bagel, pop it in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes, or in a toaster oven for similar results. Avoid the microwave, as it tends to make bagels chewy rather than crisp
Final Thoughts
Now that you know you can get a perfect toast on 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 deliver a perfectly toasted bagel for your breakfast or brunch, while leaving you free to take care of other things around the kitchen too.
For more easy options, check out all of my best air fryer breakfast recipes, like my air fryer canned corn beef hash recipe!
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. For mini bagels, reduce temperature to 350 and start at 2 minutes
- 2 minutes gives you a light toast, and 4 should yield a darker toast
- If desired, you may add butter or cream cheese before cooking to heat the topping. Raise the temperature to 400°F degrees if you’re adding cream cheese and want it browned as well as the bagel
- Nutrition values will vary based on specific brand and flavor of bagel, and any toppings added, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
