Air Fryer Bagels (2-Ingredient Greek Yogurt)
These air fryer bagels use just two ingredients, self-rising flour and Greek yogurt, with no yeast, no proofing and no boiling. The dough comes together in five minutes and the bagels cook at 350 °F in about 12 minutes, with a chewy crust and a soft center. Below you will also find how long to toast store-bought bagels.
- Temperature
- 350°F180 °C
- Total time
- 27min
- Prep time
- 15min
- Servings
- 4
- Per serving
- 155kcal
Why the air fryer works for bagels
The classic bagel gets its chew from yeast, a long rise and a boil before baking. The Greek yogurt method takes a shortcut. Baking powder in the self-rising flour reacts with the acid in the yogurt and lifts the dough in the heat, so no rising time is needed. The yogurt also adds protein, which gives the bagels a tight, chewy crumb.
A basket air fryer suits this small batch well. The hot, fast-moving air sets the crust quickly, so the bagels hold their ring shape, and the egg wash browns in minutes. These air fryer bagels will not match a New York boiled bagel, but they are a real breakfast bagel on a weekday morning, and the same method works for toasting bagels from the store.
How to make bagels in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mix the dough Stir the flour and yogurt together in a bowl with a fork until a shaggy dough forms. It should be sticky but not wet. If it clings to your hands, add 1–2 tablespoons of flour.
- Knead briefly Turn the dough onto a floured counter and knead for , just until smooth. Divide it into 4 equal pieces.
- Shape the bagels Roll each piece into a rope about 8 inches long and pinch the ends together to make a ring. You can also poke a hole in a ball of dough and stretch it to about 3 inches wide. Brush with the beaten egg and sprinkle with seasoning.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 350 °F for . Set a perforated parchment round in the basket only after preheating, with the bagels on top.
- Cook Place the bagels in the basket with space between them and cook for , flipping after . They are done when deep golden brown and sound hollow when tapped. In a 4-quart basket, cook two at a time.
- Cool Let the bagels cool on a rack for before slicing. The inside finishes setting as they cool.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Bagels (2-Ingredient Greek Yogurt) | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Greek yogurt bagelsFlip after 6 min | 350 °F (180 °C) | 12 min |
| Mini bagels | 350 °F (180 °C) | 8 min |
| Toast a bagelCut side up | 370 °F (190 °C) | 3–4 min |
| Frozen bagelSlice first | 370 °F (190 °C) | 5–6 min |
| Pizza bagelsPepperoni is not vegetarian | 360 °F (180 °C) | 5–6 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Use thick, plain yogurt. Nonfat or low-fat Greek yogurt gives the best structure. Thin or flavored yogurts make the dough sticky.
- Handle the dough lightly. A minute of kneading is enough. More than that makes the bagels tough.
- Poke a wide hole. The dough closes up as it rises, so make the center hole larger than seems necessary.
What to serve with bagels
Split them warm and spread with cream cheese, or top with smoked salmon, red onion and capers. For a breakfast sandwich, add a fried egg and cheese, or serve the bagels with air fryer scrambled eggs and air fryer bacon. Plain bagels also toast well for a snack with peanut butter.
Storing and reheating
Keep the cooled bagels in a sealed bag at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for 5 days. They freeze well, sliced, for up to 3 months. To refresh a bagel, split it and heat it in the air fryer at 350 °F for 3–4 minutes, or 5–6 minutes from frozen. A bagel with egg or meat on top should be reheated to 165 °F.
Variations
- Everything bagels: Sprinkle with everything seasoning, or use sesame seeds, poppy seeds or dried onion flakes after the egg wash.
- Cheddar jalapeño: Knead ¼ cup shredded cheddar and 1 tbsp chopped pickled jalapeños into the dough.
- Cinnamon raisin: Add 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon and ¼ cup raisins to the flour before adding the yogurt.
- Pizza bagels: Halve a bagel, top with pizza sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni, and cook at 360 °F for 5–6 minutes until the cheese bubbles.
If it does not turn out right
- The dough is too sticky to shape
- Greek yogurt brands vary in moisture. Knead in 1 tablespoon of flour at a time until the dough holds its shape, but stay as light-handed as you can or the bagels turn dense.
- The bagels are doughy inside
- They were too thick or the temperature was too high. Keep the rings about 1 inch thick, with a hole of at least ¾ inch, and lower to 330 °F with 2 extra minutes if the outside browns quickly.
- The bagels are pale
- Brush with egg before cooking. Without the wash, this lean dough stays light in color.
Questions and answers
Can I make bagels with Greek yogurt and no self-rising flour?
Yes. For each cup of self-rising flour, mix 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1½ teaspoons baking powder and ¼ teaspoon salt.
How long do bagels take in the air fryer?
Greek yogurt bagels take about 12 minutes at 350 °F. A store-bought bagel needs only 3–4 minutes at 370 °F to toast, and a frozen one about 5–6 minutes.
Can you toast bagels in an air fryer?
Yes. Slice the bagel, place the halves cut side up in the basket and heat at 370 °F for 3–4 minutes. The edges crisp more evenly than in a toaster.
Can I make yeast bagels in the air fryer?
Yeast bagels need to be boiled before baking for their chewy crust, so they are better suited to the oven. This yogurt version skips that step on purpose.
What did you think of this recipe?
Be the first to rate this recipe.
