Effortless Homemade Air Fryer Bagels: Your Quick 5-Ingredient Recipe Guide
Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, chewy bagel, fresh from your kitchen, without the lengthy traditional baking process. With an air fryer and just five simple ingredients, this dream becomes a reality in under 20 minutes! This recipe offers a revolutionary approach to homemade bagels, making them accessible to even the busiest home cooks. Forget about yeast, proofing, and long waiting times – our air fryer bagel recipe is designed for speed, simplicity, and absolutely delicious results.
Perfect for a quick breakfast, a satisfying snack, or an easy brunch, these homemade bagels are incredibly versatile. You can enjoy them plain, slathered with cream cheese, or adorned with your favorite savory or sweet toppings. This guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you achieve golden, perfectly textured bagels that will amaze your family and friends. Get ready to transform your breakfast routine and discover the joy of baking fresh bagels with minimal effort!
Why This Air Fryer Bagel Recipe Is a Game-Changer
Traditional bagel making is a labor of love, often involving multiple stages of yeast activation, kneading, proofing, boiling, and then baking. While the results are undeniably delicious, the time commitment can be prohibitive for many. This air fryer bagel recipe completely bypasses those lengthy steps, offering a streamlined method that doesn’t compromise on flavor or texture. It’s truly a game-changer for anyone craving fresh bagels without the fuss.
The secret to this incredibly easy recipe lies in what’s often referred to as “two-ingredient dough” – a combination of self-rising flour and Greek yogurt. When these two ingredients come together, the baking powder in the self-rising flour reacts with the acidity of the yogurt, creating a wonderfully soft and airy dough that requires minimal kneading and no proofing time. This ingenious pairing eliminates the need for yeast entirely, cutting down hours of preparation into mere minutes.
Beyond the simple dough, the air fryer plays a crucial role. Instead of the traditional boiling step, which helps create that classic chewy exterior, the air fryer circulates hot air around the bagels, giving them a delightful crispy crust while maintaining a soft, tender interior. This means you can go from mixing bowl to freshly baked bagels in about 20 minutes, including prep and cook time! This recipe is perfect for busy mornings, last-minute snack cravings, or when you want to impress without spending all day in the kitchen.
This particular recipe yields four perfectly sized bagels, making it ideal for a small family breakfast or a personal batch. However, its simplicity means it’s incredibly easy to scale up. Whether you’re feeding a larger crowd or simply want to stock up, you can effortlessly double or triple the ingredients to make as many delicious bagels as you desire. Just ensure your air fryer has enough space to cook them in batches without overcrowding, which can hinder proper air circulation and result in uneven cooking.
Essential Ingredients for Your Air Fryer Bagels
One of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is its minimal ingredient list. You likely have most, if not all, of these staples in your pantry and refrigerator right now! Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is vital for creating perfectly delicious air fryer bagels.
The Core 5 Ingredients:
- Self-Rising Flour: This is the star of our dough! Self-rising flour already contains baking powder and salt, eliminating the need to add them separately. This ensures a consistent rise and flavor. If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can easily make your own by combining 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of salt. Adjust quantities for this recipe accordingly.
- Baking Powder: While included in self-rising flour, adding a little extra helps ensure a good, fluffy texture, especially when reacting with the Greek yogurt. It acts as a leavening agent, creating gas bubbles that give the bagels their rise.
- Salt: Essential for enhancing the flavor of the bagels. It balances the tanginess of the yogurt and brings out the natural sweetness of the flour.
- Non-Fat Greek Yogurt: This is the other magical component of our two-ingredient dough. The acidity in the Greek yogurt reacts with the baking powder, providing the necessary leavening for the bagels to rise without yeast. Opt for non-fat plain Greek yogurt for the best results and a classic bagel flavor. Full-fat yogurt can also work, but the texture might be slightly denser.
- Large Egg (for egg wash): Beaten with a teaspoon of water, this creates an egg wash. Brushing the bagels with egg wash before the final cooking stage gives them that beautiful golden-brown, shiny crust and helps toppings adhere.
Optional Toppings and Add-Ins:
While delicious plain, bagels are often celebrated for their toppings. Here are some ideas to customize your air fryer bagels:
- Everything Bagel Seasoning: A classic choice, offering a delightful blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt. You can find pre-made mixes or create your own.
- Sesame Seeds: For a nutty crunch and classic bakery appeal.
- Poppy Seeds: Adds a subtle texture and earthy flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: For a savory, cheesy twist. Sprinkle it on during the final cooking phase for a melted, golden finish.
- Cinnamon Sugar: For a sweet treat, mix cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle generously before the final air fry.
- Sunflower Seeds or Other Nuts: Can be mixed directly into the dough for added texture and nutrition, or sprinkled on top.
Always ensure your ingredients are fresh for the best results. Properly measuring your flour is also key – spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge rather than scooping directly from the bag to avoid a dense dough.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Air Fryer Bagels
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of making these delightful air fryer bagels. For a convenient printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and comprehensive instructions, you can jump directly to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the self-rising flour, baking powder, and salt. Use a whisk to thoroughly combine these dry ingredients, ensuring they are evenly distributed. This initial step is crucial for the leavening agents to work effectively throughout the dough.
- Add Yogurt and Mix: Gradually add the non-fat Greek yogurt to the dry ingredients. Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to mix the ingredients together within the bowl as best as you can. The mixture will start to come together, but it might still look shaggy and crumbly at this stage.
- Knead the Dough: Once the mixture is mostly combined in the bowl, turn it out onto a piece of parchment paper or a lightly floured countertop. Knead the dough gently for just a few minutes, usually 5-8 times. The goal is for the dough to come together into a smooth, cohesive ball that’s no longer sticky. Be careful not to over-knead, as this can make the bagels tough.
The dough forming after combining flour, baking powder, salt, and Greek yogurt. - Divide and Shape into Balls: Divide the dough into four equal-sized portions. The easiest way to do this is to roll the dough into a log and then cut it into four pieces. Turn each portion onto a lightly floured piece of parchment paper and roll each piece into a smooth, uniform ball.
- Form Patties: Using lightly floured hands, gently flatten each dough ball into a patty. Aim for a thickness of about half an inch. This makes it easier to create the center hole.
- Create the Center Hole: Insert your thumb into the middle of each dough patty, pushing through to create a small hole in the center.
Shaping the raw bagel dough, creating the distinctive center hole. - Enlarge and Refine the Hole: To achieve the classic bagel shape, simultaneously squeeze and rotate the dough around your thumb and forefinger. This action will increase the size of the inner hole and create a well-defined “O” shape. The hole should be fairly generous, as it will shrink slightly during cooking.
- First Air Fry Session: Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Carefully place the shaped bagels into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You might need to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Air fry for 6 minutes to allow them to set and begin to cook through.
The bagels getting their first cook in the air fryer. - Apply Egg Wash and Toppings: After the first 6 minutes, carefully remove the air fryer basket. In a small bowl, beat one large egg with a teaspoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush this mixture generously over the surface of each bagel. This will give them a beautiful golden sheen and help any toppings adhere. Now is the time to sprinkle on your desired toppings, such as Everything Bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or Parmesan cheese.
Applying egg wash and toppings before the final air frying stage. - Final Air Fry: Return the basket to the air fryer. Continue to cook at 300°F (150°C) for an additional 9-12 minutes, or until the bagels are golden brown and cooked through. The total cooking time will be between 15-18 minutes. Keep an eye on them during the final few minutes, as air fryer models can vary in cooking intensity.
The bagels finishing their cook, achieving a perfect golden crust.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Bagels
Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making and enjoying these quick and easy air fryer bagels.
The beauty of homemade bagels is the endless customization! You can certainly make them plain, which is wonderful for showcasing their fresh flavor and chewy texture. However, if you’re looking to elevate them, we highly recommend the classic Everything Bagel Mix for a savory, aromatic crunch. Other popular options include sesame seeds for a slightly nutty taste, poppy seeds for a delicate texture, or even grated Parmesan cheese for a savory, cheesy kick. For those with a sweet tooth, try a cinnamon-sugar topping applied before the final air fry. You can also experiment with add-ins directly into the dough, such as dried cranberries, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, or sunflower seeds for added texture and flavor dimension.
Absolutely! Your air fryer is perfect for toasting these homemade bagels to crispy perfection. Simply slice your cooled bagels in half. Place the halves, cut-side up, in your air fryer basket. Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 2-3 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Keep a close eye on them, as air fryers can toast very quickly!
To maintain their freshness, store your cooled air fryer bagels in an airtight container or a large zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Once completely cooled, place them in a freezer-safe bag or wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then foil. They can be frozen for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature or toast directly from frozen.
Yes, you can! You can prepare the dough up to the point of forming the bagels (step 7). Once shaped, place them on a parchment-lined plate or baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to cook, proceed with the air frying steps, noting that they might require an extra minute or two of cooking time since they will be starting from a chilled state.
No problem! You can easily make your own self-rising flour substitute. For every cup of all-purpose flour, whisk in 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of salt. For this recipe, which calls for 1 ¼ cups of self-rising flour, you would use 1 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour, approximately 1 ¾ teaspoons of baking powder, and slightly more than ½ teaspoon of salt. Make sure to combine these very well before adding the yogurt.
Greek yogurt is preferred due to its thicker consistency and higher protein content, which contributes to a more robust and satisfying dough texture. Its acidity is also key for reacting with the baking powder to create lift. While regular plain yogurt can work in a pinch, it often has a thinner consistency, which might require a slight adjustment to the flour quantity to achieve the right dough consistency. Non-fat Greek yogurt also helps keep the calorie count lower while still providing excellent flavor and structure.
If you’re a fan of your air fryer and love the convenience it brings to your kitchen, then making air fryer bagels from scratch is an absolute must-try! This incredibly simple recipe proves that gourmet results don’t require gourmet effort. With just 5 common ingredients and a mere 20 minutes, you can enjoy warm, chewy, and utterly delicious bagels that rival your favorite bakery. It’s the perfect way to start your day or satisfy that mid-afternoon craving for something fresh and homemade. Get ready to chow down on the easiest breakfast ever!
Discover More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes
Your air fryer isn’t just for bagels! It’s a versatile kitchen appliance that can whip up everything from savory snacks to sweet treats. If you loved making these easy bagels, you’ll definitely want to explore more fantastic recipes designed for your air fryer. Here are some of our other top picks to keep your air fryer working overtime and your taste buds happy:
- Air Fryer Donuts: Sweet, fluffy, and less greasy than traditional donuts!
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets: Crispy, tender, and a healthier alternative for kids and adults.
- Air Fryer French Toast Bites: A fun, bite-sized twist on a breakfast classic.
- Air Fryer Pretzel Bites: Soft, chewy, and perfect for dipping.
- Air Fryer Apple Fries: A delightful sweet snack or dessert.
- Air Fryer Chicken Breasts: Juicy and perfectly cooked every time.
I truly love to bake, cook, and share my culinary adventures and kitchen experiences with all of you! Remembering to come back each day for new recipes can sometimes be tough amidst a busy schedule. That’s why I offer a convenient newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox every time a new recipe is posted. Simply subscribe today and start receiving your free daily recipes, ensuring you never miss out on delicious inspiration!
Air Fryer Bagels
★
★
★
★
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It
Pin It
Rate It
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups self-rising flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1 large egg beaten with a teaspoon of water (for egg wash)
Things You’ll Need
-
Air fryer
-
Whisk
-
Large Mixing Bowl
-
Parchment Paper or lightly floured surface
-
Pastry Brush (for egg wash)
Before You Begin / Tips & Variations
- Toppings Galore: You can serve the bagels plain, or choose from your favorite toppings. We love Everything Bagel Mix, but other fantastic options include sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or Parmesan cheese for savory bagels. For a sweet treat, try cinnamon sugar.
- Dough Add-Ins: Get creative by mixing add-ins like sunflower seeds, chopped dried fruit, or finely diced herbs directly into the bagel dough before shaping.
- Toasting Leftovers: You can toast your homemade bagels in the air fryer as well! Simply slice them in half, then air fry for 2-3 minutes at 360°F (180°C) until golden and crispy.
- Self-Rising Flour Substitute: If you don’t have self-rising flour, mix 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder and ½ teaspoon salt. Adjust for the 1 ¼ cups needed in this recipe.
- Yield & Scaling: This recipe makes 4 bagels. Easily double or triple the ingredients if you need more, but cook in batches to avoid overcrowding your air fryer.
Instructions
-
In a large bowl, combine self-rising flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisk well to ensure all dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
-
Add the non-fat Greek yogurt to the dry ingredients. Mix as well as you can with a spoon or spatula in the bowl before turning the mixture out onto a piece of parchment paper or a clean, lightly floured counter.
-
Knead the dough for a few minutes (about 5-8 times) until it completely comes together into a smooth, cohesive, and non-sticky ball. Avoid over-kneading.
-
Divide the dough into four equal-sized balls. You can roll the dough into a log and cut it into four even pieces. Place them on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper.
-
Using floured hands, gently flatten each ball of dough into a patty, approximately ½ inch thick.
-
Insert your thumb into the middle of each dough patty to create a small center hole.
-
Simultaneously squeeze and rotate the dough around your thumb, gradually increasing the inner hole and refining it into a classic “O” shape. Ensure the hole is relatively wide as it will shrink during baking.
-
Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Carefully place the shaped bagels into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd them. Air fry for 6 minutes.
-
In a small bowl, beat the large egg with a teaspoon of water to create an egg wash. After the initial 6 minutes, remove the air fryer basket and brush the bagels generously with the egg wash. Sprinkle with your desired toppings (e.g., Everything Bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or Parmesan cheese). Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional 9-12 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Total cooking time will be approximately 15-18 minutes.
Nutrition Information
Serving:
1 bagel
|
Calories:
189kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
30g
|
Protein:
11g
|
Fat:
2g
|
Saturated Fat:
1g
|
Trans Fat:
1g
|
Cholesterol:
49mg
|
Sodium:
328mg
|
Potassium:
177mg
|
Fiber:
1g
|
Sugar:
2g
|
Vitamin A:
70IU
|
Calcium:
90mg
|
Iron:
1mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!
Follow on Pinterest @AmandasCookin or tag #AmandasCookin!
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.