Crispy Mini Bagel Pizzas

My kids discovered mini bagel pizzas on their TikTok feed, and I thought it sounded like a gimmick until one Saturday morning when they actually asked to help me make lunch. Watching them assemble tiny pizzas with the same concentration they usually reserved for their phones made me realize this wasn't just a trend—it was an excuse to cook together. The air fryer had been gathering dust in my cabinet, and suddenly it had a purpose. Six minutes later, we were pulling out bubbling, golden-brown bagel pizzas that tasted exponentially better than anything we could have ordered. It became our regular Friday night thing, no reservation required.

The first time I made these for my daughter's study group, I worried they'd be too simple, too snack-like. Instead, three teenagers ate the entire batch in about four minutes, barely pausing between bites. One of them asked if I'd made them from scratch, genuinely surprised when I said yes. That moment—when something effortless looks impressive—is exactly why I keep coming back to this recipe.

Ingredients

• Mini plain bagels: Six halves give you the perfect canvas—sturdy enough to hold toppings without getting soggy, but small enough that the cheese crisps up instead of just melting.
• Pizza sauce or marinara: A half cup spreads thin enough that you don't overpower the bagel, which honestly is where the flavor lives.
• Shredded mozzarella cheese: One cup is the sweet spot for bubbly, golden coverage without weighing down the bagel.
• Mini pepperoni slices: These are optional but become the star of the show if you add them—they crisp up beautifully in the air fryer.
• Black olives and bell peppers: The optional toppings let you customize based on what you have or what you're craving that day.
• Dried oregano or Italian seasoning: Just a teaspoon scattered on top gives that pizzeria finish without needing fresh herbs.

Instructions

Set your air fryer to 375°F and give it two minutes to warm up:

This preheat time matters more than you'd think—you want the basket properly hot so the bottoms get crispy instead of staying chewy. Don't skip it.

Arrange your bagel halves cut side up on your work surface:

Line them up like little edible canvases waiting for their toppings. This is the moment where everyone in your kitchen can step in and build their own version if you want.

Spread about two teaspoons of sauce on each half:

Restraint is your friend here—you want flavor, not a sauce-to-bagel ratio that makes things soggy. A thin, even spread does the trick.

Divide the mozzarella evenly across all twelve halves:

This is easier if you do it in two batches—spread what you need for the first round, then portion the rest for round two. Uneven coverage means some pizzas finish before others.

Add your chosen toppings:

This is where personality happens—pepperoni if you want protein, olives if you like brine, peppers if you're trying to sneak in vegetables. Go light so toppings crisp instead of steam.

Finish with a pinch of oregano on each:

This small gesture elevates them from snack to actually-tried pizzas. The heat brings out the herb flavor in a way you won't get from sprinkling it raw.

Load the basket in a single layer and air fry at 375°F for five to six minutes:

You'll know they're ready when the cheese is bubbly and the edges are just starting to brown. Work in batches if your air fryer is on the smaller side—crowding means uneven cooking.

Let them cool for a minute before serving:

The cheese is lava-hot straight out of the basket, and your mouth will thank you for waiting thirty seconds. Plus, they hold together better once they firm up slightly.

Save

I learned the importance of single-layer cooking the hard way when I tried to rush through a double batch and ended up with some pizzas that were done and some that were still pale. Now I'm religious about working in two rounds if I need to feed more than four people—those few extra minutes are worth not scraping burnt edges off some while others sit getting chewy. My daughter calls them her "emergency entertaining food," which is the highest compliment I could ask for.

Topping Ideas That Actually Work

The beauty of these mini pizzas is that they're a vehicle for whatever you're craving or whatever's in your fridge. Cooked Italian sausage crumbles give them substance if you want to call them lunch instead of snack, while fresh mushrooms (dried work even better because they don't add moisture) make them feel more sophisticated. I've done pineapple chunks on a few for the nonconformists at my table, and they always disappear first—maybe out of curiosity, maybe because pineapple and cheese actually deserve to be on the same pizza. The rule I follow is to avoid anything watery or raw (hello, fresh tomatoes) because moisture and a hot air fryer make soggy bagels.

Storage and Reheating Without Regret

These are genuinely best eaten fresh, still warm from the air fryer when the cheese is at its most melty and the bagel still has that slight chew. If you do make them ahead—which I sometimes do on Sunday to have something quick for weekday snacks—keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To bring them back to life, give them a quick two-minute round in the air fryer at 350°F, which wakes up the cheese without drying out the bagel. Microwaving is a last resort that turns everything rubbery, so trust the air fryer for the resurrection.

Why the Air Fryer Is Essential Here

I tried making these under the broiler once because I was feeling ambitious, and the results were inconsistent—some pieces of cheese stayed pale while others started to scorch, and the bagels stayed weirdly soft instead of getting any textural contrast. The air fryer's circulating heat is exactly what makes this recipe work: it crisps the bottom, melts the cheese evenly, and gives the toppings just enough time to warm through without becoming rubber. It's the gadget that makes this recipe actually easy instead of theoretically easy.

• Invest in an air fryer if you haven't already—this recipe is just the beginning of what you'll love making with it.
• If you're borrowing someone else's air fryer, do a temperature check on their model before you start, because some run hot or cold.
• Don't be tempted to skip the preheat—two minutes of warmth makes the difference between crispy and chewy.

Save

These mini bagel pizzas have become the recipe I reach for when I want to feel like I'm cooking without the actual work, and when I want my family gathered around something warm and shared. That's the whole recipe, really.

Recipe Help

→ What type of bagels work best?

Mini plain bagels are ideal for even cooking and bite-sized portions, but you can try flavored bagels for variety.

→ Can I use other cheeses?

Yes, mozzarella provides the best melting texture, but cheddar, provolone, or a cheese blend can be used.

→ How long should I air fry them?

Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 5–6 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

→ Are there recommended toppings?

Popular toppings include pepperoni, black olives, diced bell peppers, and Italian seasoning, but feel free to customize.

→ Can these be made gluten-free?

Yes, using gluten-free bagels makes this snack suitable for gluten-free diets.

→ How should leftovers be stored?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the air fryer for 2–3 minutes before serving.