Craving the irresistible taste of warm, freshly baked bagels but short on time? Look no further! Our incredible recipe for Homemade Bagel Bites Air Fryer style, generously stuffed with creamy cream cheese, requires just two simple ingredients. Using only self-rising flour and Greek yogurt, you can effortlessly create these delightful copycat Bantam Bagels right in your own kitchen. Get ready for a treat that’s wonderfully crispy on the outside with a soft, delightfully chewy center that everyone will adore.
Imagine biting into a perfectly golden-brown mini bagel, only to discover a warm, gooey cream cheese filling. These aren’t just a fantasy; they’re a delicious reality that’s surprisingly easy to achieve. While you could make full-sized bagels, these bites are far more fun, convenient, and incredibly simple to stuff with cream cheese, your favorite jam, or any filling your heart desires. They’ve quickly become one of our go-to air fryer recipes, perfect for a quick breakfast or an anytime snack.
Beyond their deliciousness, these homemade bagel bites are the ideal on-the-go snack. Many find them to be a smart choice that aligns with healthier eating plans, allowing you to indulge without guilt. Whether you own a Ninja Foodi, a Cosori, or any other brand, you can whip up these air fryer bagels with fantastic results. We personally love using our Ninja Foodi, which combines an air fryer with a pressure cooker, making it incredibly versatile for all sorts of culinary adventures.
Our journey to these perfect bagel bites began with making whole 2-ingredient bagels. While those were undeniably easy and delicious, we often found ourselves buying Bantam Bagels from Starbucks, which, as many know, can become quite expensive. This inspired us to develop a homemade version that captures the same delightful experience but is far more budget-friendly and customizable. The result? A recipe that consistently delivers!
For optimal results, we recommend using popular air fryer models like the Cosori or experimenting with Ninja Foodi recipes, especially those utilizing the attached air crisping lid for convenience.
A key tip for achieving maximum crispiness is to always place your food into a preheated basket. Learning how to preheat your air fryer correctly before adding your dough is essential. For even greater success, grab our printable free air fryer cooking time chart to keep handy on your fridge. It’s an invaluable resource for perfect results every time.
If you’ve been captivated by the deliciousness of Bantam Bagels, those famous Shark Tank treats, you’ll be amazed at how simple they are to recreate at home. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also gain the freedom to customize your stuffed bagels with cream cheese, fruit jams, peanut butter, or any other creative filling you can dream of. The possibilities are truly endless!
While you could certainly bake these in a conventional oven, the air fryer delivers a superior texture that’s hard to beat. The circulating hot air ensures a beautifully crisp exterior while maintaining a soft, tender interior. If you’ve ever bought frozen Bantam Bagels, you might have followed a similar process: microwaving them first to defrost, then crisping them for a few minutes. With our air fryer method, you’ll cook them from start to finish in one appliance, ensuring optimal freshness and flavor.
When I first got my air fryer, I wondered if it could handle bagels. After some exciting experimentation, I discovered it’s the perfect tool! This article focuses on homemade bagel bites, but if you happen to have frozen bagel bites and simply need to warm and crisp them up, we’ve included those quick and easy instructions as well.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Air Fryer Bagel Bites
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity, using just two core ingredients to create the bagel dough. You’ll need:
- Self-Rising Flour: This is the foundation of our easy dough. Self-rising flour already contains leavening agents (baking powder and salt), which react with the moisture in the yogurt to create a soft, airy texture. If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can easily make your own by combining 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1½ teaspoons of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of salt.
- Greek Yogurt: Opt for plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt for the most versatile flavor profile. Full-fat or low-fat varieties both work well, but full-fat tends to yield a slightly richer dough. We sometimes use flavored Greek yogurt, like blueberry, for a sweeter, fruit-infused bagel bite, as shown in some of our photos. The acidity and moisture in the yogurt are crucial for activating the self-rising flour and creating a pliable dough.
Once your dough balls are formed and baked to a beautiful golden brown, it’s time for the filling! While the choice is entirely yours, we generally gravitate towards classic whipped cream cheese. Its softer consistency makes it incredibly easy to pipe into the warm bagel bites. You can also sprinkle the outside of your bagel bites with an “everything bagel” seasoning mix for a savory twist, or a simple blend of cinnamon and sugar for a sweet treat.
Expert Tips for Air Frying Bagel Bites
Achieving the perfect air fryer bagel bite is straightforward with a few key tips:
- **Flavor Variations:** Don’t feel limited to a sweet version. If you prefer a savory bagel bite, simply use plain or vanilla Greek yogurt. Before air frying, brush the dough balls with a light egg wash and sprinkle with “everything bagel” seasoning for a classic savory finish.
- **Preventing Stickage:** While we haven’t experienced significant sticking, you can use a small piece of parchment paper under your bagel bites in the air fryer basket or pan if you’re concerned. This can make cleanup even easier.
- **Bites vs. Whole Bagels:** The cooking time will vary depending on whether you’re making individual bagel bites or larger, whole bagels. Our detailed recipe card below will provide specific timings for both versions. The photos in this article showcase our delicious homemade cream cheese stuffed bagel bites.
- **Filling Technique:** To fill your bagel bites with cream cheese, wait until they are completely cool. This prevents the cream cheese from melting and oozing out. Use a small, sharp knife to carefully make a hole in the side of each bagel bite. Then, equip a pastry bag with a small tip, fill it with softened whipped cream cheese, and gently squeeze the filling into the hole until each bite is generously stuffed.
How to Perfectly Fill Bagel Bites with Cream Cheese
Filling these delightful bagel bites with cream cheese is a straightforward process, even if you don’t have professional pastry tools. While a pastry bag with a hard tip offers the most control and efficiency, don’t let its absence deter you. I’ve successfully used a simple freezer baggie in a pinch!
First, ensure your bagel bites have cooled completely after air frying. This step is crucial; attempting to fill them while warm will cause the cream cheese to melt and potentially leak out. Once cool, carefully remove them from your baking pan (if used) and place them on a paper towel or wire rack.
Next, take a very small, sharp knife (a paring knife works perfectly) and make a small incision on the side of each bagel bite. The hole should be just large enough to insert your piping tool or baggie tip.
If you’re using a pastry bag, fill it with your softened, whipped cream cheese and pipe directly into the prepared holes.
For the freezer baggie method: Spoon your whipped cream cheese into a freezer bag. Press out all the air and securely zip it closed. Then, snip off a tiny corner of the bag with scissors. You can use your small knife again to slightly widen the hole in the bagel bite if needed. Insert the snipped corner of the baggie into the opening and gently squeeze the cream cheese into the center until it looks nicely plumped, or just before it starts to ooze back out, indicating it’s thoroughly filled. This method is effective and ensures every bite is bursting with flavor.
2-Ingredient Air Fryer Bagel Bites Recipe
Justine
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9
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Print Recipe
Equipment
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1 Mixing Bowl
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1 Air Fryer
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1 7-inch Springform Pan (or a trivet for the air fryer)
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Pastry bag with tip (optional, for filling)
Ingredients
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1
cup
self-rising flour -
1
cup
Greek yogurt (plain or desired flavor) -
4-6
oz
whipped cream cheese (softened) - Optional toppings: everything bagel seasoning, cinnamon sugar, jam
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Instructions
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In a medium mixing bowl, combine the self-rising flour and Greek yogurt. Mix well, either with a spoon or your hands, until a soft, cohesive dough forms. It should be slightly sticky but manageable.
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Prepare your air fryer basket. Lightly spray the inside of your 7-inch springform pan with non-stick spray, or line a trivet with parchment paper. Using the springform pan is recommended for easier handling.
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Divide the dough into equal-sized balls, about a heaping tablespoon each. Roll them smooth and place them into your prepared pan or on the parchment paper, ensuring there is a little space between each one for even cooking. A 7-inch pan typically fits about 7 bagel bites comfortably.
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At this point, you can sprinkle your desired topping. For a sweet version, use a mixture of equal parts cinnamon and sugar. For a savory option, sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning.
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Preheat your air fryer to 325°F (160°C). Once preheated, carefully place the pan with the dough balls into the air fryer. Close the lid (if using a Ninja Foodi with an attached lid) and air fry for 5 minutes for bagel bites. If you’re making 3 whole bagels, cook for 9 minutes.
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After the initial cooking time, lift the lid (or open the basket) and carefully flip the bagel bites. If desired, you can sprinkle with more cinnamon and sugar. Close the air fryer and continue to air crisp at 325°F (160°C) for an additional 4 minutes for bagel bites, or 6 minutes if cooking whole bagels. The goal is a golden-brown exterior.
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Once cooked, carefully remove the bagel bites from the pan and transfer them to a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely before attempting to fill them with softened cream cheese, if desired. This prevents the cream cheese from melting.
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To fill, use a small knife to create a hole on the side of each cooled bagel bite. Fill a pastry bag with a small tip (or a freezer bag with the corner snipped) with whipped cream cheese and gently squeeze it into the hole until each bagel bite is generously stuffed. Serve immediately or store for later!
Video Tutorial
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Notes
Ninja Foodi Bagel Bites Instructions
For those using a Ninja Foodi with the attached crisping lid, follow these specific steps to ensure perfect bagel bites:
- Follow the same instructions to prepare the 2-ingredient dough.
- Ensure you are using the attached air crisping lid for the Ninja Foodi.
- Preheat your Ninja Foodi for 5 minutes using the air crisp function before adding the dough.
- Place the basket containing your bagel balls inside the preheated Foodi.
- Close the attached air crisping lid securely.
- Follow the temperature and timing listed in the main instructions above (325°F for 5 minutes, flip, then 4 minutes).
Nutrition Information (Approximate)
Serving: 3oz | Calories: 957kcal | Carbohydrates: 102g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 134mg | Sodium: 438mg | Potassium: 563mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1525IU | Calcium: 350mg | Iron: 1.6mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary based on ingredients and preparation methods.
Additional Info
Breakfast, Snack
American
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How to Cook Frozen Bagel Bites in the Air Fryer
Sometimes you need a quick fix, and that’s where frozen bagel bites come in handy. The air fryer is the perfect tool for transforming them into a warm, crispy treat with minimal effort. Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat: Begin by preheating your air fryer to 360°F (180°C) for 3 minutes. A preheated air fryer ensures even cooking and helps achieve that desirable crispy texture.
- Arrange: Place your frozen bagel bites (such as Bantam Bagels or those from Trader Joe’s) in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding, as this can lead to uneven cooking. Cook for 6 minutes.
- No Flipping Needed: For most frozen bagel bites, there’s generally no need to flip them during the cooking process. The circulating hot air will crisp them up beautifully on all sides.
- Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the hot bagel bites and let them cool for a minute or two before enjoying. They will be very hot!
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Bagels
In a rush and need to know how to cook a frozen bagel until it’s tender on the inside and beautifully golden brown on the outside? Your air fryer is the best appliance for the job! Start by setting your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and place the whole frozen bagel directly into the basket for about 8 minutes. If you desire an extra-crispy interior, carefully slice or pull apart your pre-sliced bagel halves after the initial cooking, butter them lightly, and place them back into the air fryer with the cut sides facing up for an additional 1-2 minutes to achieve a perfect golden toast.
The cooking time for a bagel in an air fryer can be adjusted based on your preferred texture. For a really crispy bagel, you can cook it quickly at 400°F (200°C). If you prefer a chewier texture, a slightly lower temperature for a longer period works well. A great general method is to slice your bagel in half and set your air fryer to 370°F (185°C). Place the halves in the basket for about 3 minutes. Then, remove them, spread some butter or cream cheese on each side (optional), and place them back into your air fryer basket to toast for another 3 minutes. This will result in a beautifully toasted bagel, just as if you used a traditional toaster oven, but often with a better overall crispness.
Yes, you can prepare the 2-ingredient bagel dough in advance. After mixing, form it into a ball, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to make it easier to work with, then proceed with shaping and air frying as directed.
To store leftover homemade bagel bites, allow them to cool completely. If they are filled with cream cheese, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For unfilled bagel bites, they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 1-2 days, or refrigerated for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze them (unfilled is best) in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month.
The beauty of these 2-ingredient bagel bites is their versatility! Besides cream cheese, consider fillings like:
- Sweet: Raspberry jam, strawberry preserves, Nutella, apple butter, cinnamon-sugar mixture (mixed with a little butter), or even a small piece of dark chocolate.
- Savory: Shredded cheddar cheese (melts wonderfully), a dollop of pesto, a tiny piece of cooked sausage, or a blend of herbs and cream cheese.
Experiment and find your favorite combination!
If you’re looking to whip up another delicious recipe in the oven alongside these air fryer treats, our breakfast bundt cake is an absolute delight! The entire time to achieve perfect crispiness for your bagel bites is approximately 15 minutes. For all your air frying needs, whether it’s fresh or frozen items, don’t forget to print out our handy air fryer cooking times chart (linked earlier in the article) – it will ensure you’re always set for culinary success.
You’ll also love these other fantastic Ninja Foodi (or general air fryer) recipes: Our Air fryer sticky buns, made with crescent rolls, are incredibly good. And for another fun and easy snack, try our savory air fryer pretzel bites!
