Enjoy a golden bagel toasted to perfection without needing a toaster! That's right, you can toast a bagel in an air fryer and easily achieve bagel perfection. Not only is it super easy, but it's a great way to prepare multiple servings at once! So, toss those boring toasters aside and learn how to toast a bagel in an air fryer like a pro!
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Why you'll love cooking bagels in the air fryer
There are so many ways to toast a bagel, but you'll quickly find that toasting in an air fryer is superior to other methods. Here's why:
- It gives your bagel a perfectly crispy exterior with a warm, fluffy inside.
- You can easily customize the toasting level to your preference for a personalized touch.
- The air fryer is super quick and easy to use, making your mornings a breeze.
- You can toast other breakfast items like English muffins and pastries in the air fryer too, making it a versatile kitchen gadget.
- If you're cooking for a crowd, you can throw multiple bagels in the air fryer at once, making it more convenient and quicker than a regular toaster.
So, give it a try and elevate your breakfast game with the magic of an air fryer!
How to toast a bagel without a toaster
Looking to toast a bagel but don't have a toaster? No worries, there are plenty of other ways to achieve that perfectly crispy texture!
If you're toasting just a few bagels, an air fryer is your best bet. Simply slice them in half and place them in the air fryer basket for 3-4 minutes per batch.
For larger groups, preheat your oven to 350°F, brush the cut surface with melted butter or oil if desired, and place the bagels cut side up on a baking tray for 4-5 minutes.
You can also use the broil option for a quick toast, or opt for the traditional method by buttering the cut sides of the bagels and toasting them on a heated cast-iron skillet.
Last but not least, you can also use the bake mode in an Instant Pot!
For best results, the air fryer is my preferred method for perfectly toasted bagels every time!
What you'll need
To toast bagels in the air fryer, you don't need many ingredients at all! In fact, all you need are:
- Your favorite type of bagel - I used mini everything bagels but any flavor works well! Whether you like a plain bagel, blueberry bagel, cinnamon raisin bagels, onion bagels, or sesame bagel, select your favorite bagels!
- Your favorite bagel toppings - I love using non-dairy butter, jam, dairy-free cream cheese, or a creamy vegan mascarpone cheese. See the How to Serve section below for more ideas!
That's it!
How to toast bagels in the air fryer
If toasting bagels from room temperature follow these directions:
No need to preheat your air fryer for fresh bagels, simply place your bagel halves cut-side up in the air fryer basket in a single layer. I used mini bagels so I was able to fit several in the basket at once. How many you can cook at once will depend on the bagel shape and size of your air fryer. If desired, you can lightly spray some olive oil or vegan butter on them for added flavor and crispiness.
Toast them for 3-4 minutes until golden brown.
Keep in mind for subsequent batches, that they'll be ready faster since the air fryer is already heated up.
When toasting bagels from frozen, follow these directions:
For frozen, it's best to preheat the air fryer for faster, even cooking. When the air fryer is heated, place your frozen bagel in the basket, do not allow the bagels to thaw.
Cook for 5-6 minutes until heated through.
For the full recipe, scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Tips for success
- Make sure to leave enough space for air circulation and avoid overcrowding bagels in the basket. If you're using an oven-style air fryer, only use one shelf/tray at a time.
- There's no need to flip the bagels during cooking. Just leave the cut-side up.
- To toast frozen bagels in an air fryer, don't thaw them beforehand. Simply remove them from the freezer and immediately place them in the preheated air fryer basket or tray.
FAQ's
Can you toast a whole bagel in the air fryer?
Yes, you can toast a bagel whole using an air fryer. However, I recommend slicing them in half using a serrated knife beforehand to achieve the best results. If you prefer to toast whole, look for a golden brown color on the outside to know when it's heated through.
How long do you put a bagel in the air fryer?
Every air fryer will be slightly different but the general rule for a full-size bagel, sliced in half is 3-4 minutes at 350F to 400F.
Best type of air fryer to toast bagels
The two main styles of air fryers are a basket style air fryer and an oven style. Basket style looks similar to a deep fryer while oven style resembles a toaster oven.
Both styles work well to make easy air fryer bagels! For an oven-style air fryer, simply place your bagels on one tray, cut-side up. Don't overlap or use more than one tray or it will prevent the air flow from cooking the bagels evenly.
How to serve air fryer bagels
Much like air fryer toast, the possibilities are endless with air fryer bagels! Here are some fun ways to serve them:
- Classic bagel and cream cheese - This is a tried-and-true classic for a reason! Toast up a bagel and slather on some cream cheese for a simple, satisfying breakfast.
- Bagel sandwich - Take your bagel to the next level by making it into a sandwich! Add your favorite breakfast proteins and toppings for a hearty breakfast sandwich. Some of my favorites include an easy tofu scramble, crispy carrot bacon, and sliced avocado!
- Bagel French toast - Slice your bagel in half and soak it in this easy Just Egg French toast mixture. Cook it on a griddle or in a pan for a delicious twist on French toast!
- Bagel chips - Cut your bagel into thin slices and bake them in the air fryer to make air fryer bagel chips. Serve with hummus, guacamole, or your favorite dip for a tasty snack.
- Air fryer pizza bagels - Top with marinara sauce and shredded dairy-free mozzarella cheese. Use mini bagels to make pizza bagel bites!
- Bagel with smoked salmon - Bagel and lox is a classic combo. Switch it up and try it with this creamy vegan mascarpone cheese and carrot lox.
More air fryer recipes
If you love how convenient the air fryer is as much as I do, you're going to love these easy air fryer recipes:
- Easily air fry spring rolls to crispy perfection
- Make air fryer frozen potato wedges in no time for a tasty snack or side dish
- Cook frozen waffles in the air fryer for an easy and quick breakfast for a crowd
- Prepare gnocchi in the air fryer—it comes out crispy on outside and tender on the insid!
📖 Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Toasted Bagels
Ingredients
- 2 bagels, sliced in half
Instructions
If toasting bagels from room temperature follow these directions:
- No need to preheat your air fryer, simply place your bagel halves cut-side up in the air fryer basket in a single layer. How many you can cook at once will depend on the shape and size of your air fryer.
- Toast for 3-4 minutes at 350℉ until golden brown. For lightly toasted, 2.5-3 minutes is perfect. For more crispy, toast for 4 minutes.
- Keep in mind for subsequent batches, that they'll be ready faster since the air fryer is already heated up.
When toasting bagels from frozen, follow these directions:
- For frozen, it's best to preheat the air fryer for faster, even cooking. Set it to 350℉. When the air fryer is heated, place your frozen bagel in the basket and cook for 5-6 minutes until heated through. Tip: Do not allow the bagels to thaw before toasting.
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