Save to Pinterest Last summer, my nephew scrolled through TikTok while I was prepping lunch, and he stopped me mid-chop to show me these impossibly golden mini bagel pizzas that apparently the entire internet was making. I was skeptical—bagels as pizza bases seemed like the kind of trend that looked better on screen than on a plate. But when he begged to try them, I grabbed some mini bagels from the freezer and threw them in the air fryer out of pure curiosity. Six minutes later, I understood the obsession completely.
I brought a batch to a neighborhood gathering last fall, worried they'd seem too trendy or gimmicky next to proper appetizers. Instead, the plate emptied faster than anything else I'd made, and three people asked for the recipe before dessert was even served. What started as a silly TikTok experiment became the one thing everyone remembered about that day.
Ingredients
- 6 mini plain bagels, halved: The foundation of everything—look for bagels that feel slightly soft, not rock-hard, since they'll continue firming up in the air fryer.
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce: Whatever you have in the pantry works, but don't go overboard or the bagels get soggy and won't crisp properly.
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese: Low-moisture mozzarella is your friend here; it melts beautifully and browns without releasing too much liquid.
- 1/4 cup mini pepperoni slices or chopped regular pepperoni (optional): The TikTok videos all show pepperoni, but honestly, these are delicious plain too if you're keeping them vegetarian.
- 2 tablespoons sliced black olives (optional): They add a briny pop that cuts through all that richness.
- 2 tablespoons diced bell pepper (optional): Fresh peppers give you a little crunch and color.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning: This tiny amount of seasoning makes them taste intentional rather than like you just grabbed leftovers.
Instructions
- Get your air fryer warm and ready:
- Set it to 375°F and let it preheat for a full 2 minutes. A properly heated air fryer means the bagels will crisp up instead of staying soft and doughy.
- Arrange and sauce:
- Lay your bagel halves cut-side up on a clean surface and spread about 2 teaspoons of sauce on each one. Less is more here—a light coating prevents sogginess.
- Build your toppings:
- Divide the mozzarella evenly across all the halves, then scatter your pepperoni, olives, or peppers however you like. A tiny pinch of oregano on each one makes them look and taste polished.
- Cook in batches if needed:
- Place as many as will fit in a single layer in your air fryer basket. If they're crammed together, they won't crisp properly, so it's worth a second batch.
- Watch for the golden moment:
- Air fry for 5 to 6 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the edges are golden brown. At around the 5-minute mark, crack open the basket and peek—you want the cheese to be melted but not blackened.
- Cool and serve:
- Let them sit for just a minute or two so the cheese sets slightly and won't burn your mouth, then transfer to a plate and enjoy.
Save to Pinterest There's something almost magical about pulling open that air fryer basket and seeing the cheese bubbling and golden while the bagel edges turn crispy and brown. It's the kind of small kitchen victory that makes you feel like you actually know what you're doing.
Customization and Flavor Play
One of the best parts about these is how endlessly flexible they are. I've made them with caramelized onions one afternoon, with sliced mushrooms and garlic another time, and even threw some cooked sausage on a batch when I found some in the freezer. Someone at my book club mentioned trying them with pineapple, which normally makes me hesitate, but honestly, it works if that's your thing. The air fryer does the hard work no matter what you pile on top.
Timing and Batch Strategy
If you're feeding more than four people or making these for a crowd, start assembling everything while the air fryer is preheating so you can work in quick succession. I keep a tray of assembled pizzas ready to go in the fridge, which means I can send fresh batches up every six minutes without any scrambling. It's a surprisingly efficient snack production line.
Serving and Storage Ideas
These are absolutely best eaten straight from the air fryer while the cheese is still melted and the edges are crispy, but real life means sometimes you're reheating them. A quick 2 to 3 minutes back in the air fryer at 350°F brings them back to almost-fresh status. For gluten-free versions, just swap in gluten-free bagels and the timing stays exactly the same. Serving them with a small cup of warm marinara for dipping elevates them from snack to something that feels almost fancy.
- Make these an hour ahead and reheat gently so the cheese doesn't get tough.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and eat within a day or two for the best texture.
- If you're doubling the recipe, prep all the pizza halves first, then air fry them in shifts so the last batch isn't sitting around getting stale.
Save to Pinterest What started as a viral TikTok trend turned into one of those recipes I actually make regularly now, not because it's fancy but because it works. Every time I serve them, someone asks for the recipe, and I love that a fifteen-minute snack can still feel a little bit special.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → Can I use regular-sized bagels instead of mini bagels?
Yes, but cooking times may need to be adjusted as larger bagels take longer to crisp and melt the cheese.
- → What are good alternative toppings to try?
Try mushrooms, cooked sausage, pineapple, sliced olives, or diced bell peppers to add different flavors and textures.
- → Is it necessary to preheat the air fryer?
Preheating ensures the bagels cook evenly and cheese melts properly for a golden, bubbly finish.
- → Can these be made gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free bagels as a substitute to accommodate dietary needs without compromising taste.
- → How should leftovers be stored and reheated?
Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to restore crispness.