Air Fryer Bagels Recipe

Plain greek yogurt: This thick yogurt adds moisture and a slight tang to the dough, making the bagels soft and flavorful.

Self-rising flour: A type of flour that already contains baking powder and salt, helping the bagels rise without extra yeast.

Baking powder: Helps the dough rise and become fluffy when cooked.

Salt: Adds flavor and balances the taste of the dough.

Beaten egg egg wash: Brushed on top to give the bagels a shiny, golden crust.

Sesame seeds: Optional topping that adds a nutty flavor and a little crunch.

One of the most fun parts of making these air fryer bagels is shaping the dough into a perfect bagel. It might seem tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s really simple and even kind of relaxing. Here’s how you can do it step by step:

1. Take one of your dough balls and gently roll it between your hands or on a clean surface to make it smooth and round.
2. Use your thumb to poke a hole right through the center of the ball.
3. Slowly stretch that hole by moving your thumb around in a circle, making the hole bigger but keeping the dough even all around.
4. If the dough feels sticky, dust your hands or the surface with a little extra self-rising flour so it doesn’t stick.
5. Try to make the hole about the size of a small cookie cutter or a large coin, because the bagel will puff up a bit while cooking.

Doing this helps your bagels cook evenly and get that classic bagel shape with a nice hole in the middle. If the hole is too small, it might close up while cooking, and if it’s too big, the bagel could fall apart. Getting the shape right means your bagels will look and taste just like the ones from a bakery, but way easier.

I remember the first time I made these, I didn’t stretch the hole enough, and it closed up in the air fryer. The bagel still tasted good, but it didn’t have that cool bagel look! Now I always take a little extra time to shape them carefully. Also, brushing the bagels with the egg wash before cooking gives them a shiny, golden crust that makes them look super inviting. Give it a try—you’ll feel proud when you pull those warm, perfectly shaped bagels out of the air fryer!

• plain greek yogurt - Substitute with regular yogurt: Regular yogurt can be used, but make sure to strain it to remove excess liquid to achieve a similar consistency to Greek yogurt.

• plain greek yogurt - Substitute with sour cream: Sour cream has a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture, making it a good alternative.

• self-rising flour - Substitute with all-purpose flour: Combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt to make your own self-rising flour.

• self-rising flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Use the same method as with all-purpose flour, but note that the texture will be denser and the flavor more robust.

• baking powder - Substitute with baking soda and cream of tartar: Use ¼ teaspoon of baking soda mixed with ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar for each teaspoon of baking powder needed.

• baking powder - Substitute with yeast: Use ¼ teaspoon of yeast for each teaspoon of baking powder, but allow extra time for the dough to rise.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and will provide a slightly different mineral flavor.

• salt - Substitute with kosher salt: Kosher salt can be used, but you may need to adjust the quantity slightly as it has larger grains.

• beaten egg egg wash - Substitute with milk: Milk can be used to give a similar golden finish to the bagels.

• beaten egg egg wash - Substitute with melted butter: Melted butter can also be used to give a rich, golden finish.

• sesame seeds - Substitute with poppy seeds: Poppy seeds provide a similar crunch and nutty flavor.

• sesame seeds - Substitute with everything bagel seasoning: This will add a more complex flavor profile with a mix of seeds and spices.

• To keep your air fryer bagels fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. This will help maintain their texture and flavor.
• For longer storage, place the bagels in a resealable plastic bag or wrap them individually in plastic wrap. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• If you want to freeze the bagels, first let them cool completely to avoid condensation, which can make them soggy.
• Wrap each bagel tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to protect them from freezer burn.
• Place the wrapped bagels in a resealable freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Label the bag with the date to keep track of freshness.
• Frozen bagels can be stored for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy them, thaw at room temperature or microwave for about 30 seconds.
• For a crispy texture, reheat the thawed bagels in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes or until warmed through.
• You can also slice the bagels before freezing for convenience. This way, you can toast them directly from the freezer without thawing.

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover bagels in the basket, ensuring they are not touching. Heat for 3-5 minutes until they are warmed through and slightly crispy on the outside.
• For a softer texture, wrap the bagels in aluminum foil before placing them in the air fryer. This will help retain moisture. Heat at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes.
• If you prefer using an oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the bagels on a baking sheet and cover them loosely with foil. Bake for 10 minutes or until warmed through.
• For a quick reheat, use a microwave. Place the bagels on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 30-45 seconds. Note: This method may make the bagels slightly chewy.
• To add a bit of crunch, slice the bagels in half and toast them in a toaster oven or regular toaster until they reach your desired level of crispiness.

• Air fryer: A kitchen appliance that cooks by circulating hot air around the food. Essential for achieving the perfect golden brown bagels.

• Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine the greek yogurt, self-rising flour, baking powder, and salt to form the dough.

• Measuring cups: Tools used to measure the precise amount of greek yogurt and self-rising flour needed for the recipe.

• Measuring spoons: Tools used to measure the baking powder and salt accurately.

• Spatula: A utensil used to mix the ingredients together until a dough forms.

• Knife: Used to divide the dough into 4 equal parts.

• Rolling surface: A clean surface where you can roll each part of the dough into a ball and shape it into a bagel.

• Pastry brush: Used to apply the egg wash to each bagel before cooking.

• Cooling rack: A rack where the bagels can cool slightly before serving.

Prepare ingredients ahead: Measure out the greek yogurt, self-rising flour, baking powder, and salt in advance to streamline the process.

Use parchment paper: Shape the bagels on parchment paper for easy transfer to the air fryer basket.

Preheat air fryer: Start preheating the air fryer while you mix the dough to save time.

Batch cooking: If your air fryer is large enough, cook all bagels at once to reduce cooking time.

Quick egg wash: Use a pastry brush for a fast and even application of the egg wash.