Quick 2-Ingredient Air Fryer Bagels
These 2-ingredient air fryer bagels are chewy, golden, and on the table in about 15 minutes. No yeast, no boiling, no long proofing times.
The dough comes together with just self-rising flour and Greek yogurt. You get a bagel that’s crisp on the outside and satisfyingly chewy inside, with almost no hands-on work.
Why These Air Fryer Bagels Work
These bagels are the breakfast I keep coming back to on busy mornings. They take about 15 minutes start to finish and never let me down.
The crust turns out properly crisp in the air fryer while the inside stays pleasantly chewy. That’s the mark of a good bagel, and the yogurt is what makes it happen without a boil.
I love that they’re a blank canvas. Everything seasoning one day, cinnamon sugar the next. You can top them however you’re feeling.
Ingredients
- 1 cup self-rising flour: or make your own with 1 cup all-purpose flour + 1 1/2 tsp baking powder + 1/4 tsp salt.
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt: full-fat or 2% gives the best chew; nonfat works but bagels may be slightly less tender.
- 1 large egg: for egg wash.
- 1 tbsp water: for egg wash.
- Toppings: everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or flaky salt.
Variations / Substitutions
- Dairy-free bagels: use a thick plant-based yogurt, like unsweetened coconut or soy yogurt. The dough may be a little stickier, so flour your hands well.
- Whole wheat flour: swap up to half the self-rising flour with whole wheat self-rising flour, or use half whole wheat flour and add 1/4 tsp baking powder.
- Cinnamon raisin: work 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 2 tbsp raisins into the dough before shaping. Skip the savory toppings and brush with butter after baking.
- Jalapeño cheddar: fold 2 tbsp diced jalapeños and 2 tbsp shredded cheddar into the dough. Top with extra cheese before air frying.
Spicy Jin Ramen makes a comforting soup to pair with these bagels.
How to Make Air Fryer Bagels
Step 1: Mix the Dough
Add 1 cup self-rising flour and 1 cup Greek yogurt to a mixing bowl. Stir with a fork until the mixture looks shaggy and mostly combined, about 30 seconds. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead just until it comes together into a smooth ball, about 1 minute.
Step 2: Shape the Bagels
Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 8 inches long, then form a ring and pinch the ends firmly together to seal. Place the shaped rings on a piece of parchment paper or a lightly floured plate.
Step 3: Air Fry the Bagels
Preheat the air fryer to 325°F (160°C). Beat the egg with 1 tbsp water and brush the tops of the bagels generously with the egg wash. Sprinkle on your toppings. Arrange the bagels in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between them. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, until they are deep golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Step 4: Slice and Serve
Let the bagels cool on a rack for 5 minutes. Slice them in half and serve warm. They’re at their absolute best right out of the air fryer.
A Few Tips for the Best Air Fryer Bagels
- Full-fat yogurt makes the dough less sticky and gives the bagels a slightly richer chew. If using nonfat, be ready to flour your hands a little more.
- Keep your hands and work surface lightly floured while shaping. The dough is forgiving, but it can get tacky if you handle it too long.
- The egg wash does two jobs: it helps the toppings stick and gives the crust that deep golden color. Don’t skip it.
- Every air fryer runs a little different. Start checking at the 10-minute mark so they don’t over-brown.
Scale the batch:
| Bagels | Self-Rising Flour | Greek Yogurt |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1 cup | 1 cup |
| 8 | 2 cups | 2 cups |
| 12 | 3 cups | 3 cups |
Keeping Leftover Bagels Fresh
- Refrigerate: store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: place in a zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: pop them back in the air fryer at 325°F (160°C) for 3 to 4 minutes, or toast them from frozen.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Bagels
A thick swipe of cream cheese is classic, and the saltiness of everything seasoning plays especially well with smoked salmon and capers. For a faster option, mashed avocado with a pinch of flaky salt is my go-to on a weekday. A simple side of fresh fruit rounds out the plate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular all-purpose flour instead of self-rising?
Yes. Mix 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt to make your own self-rising flour.
Can I make these dairy-free?
Absolutely. Use a thick unsweetened plant-based yogurt, like coconut or soy yogurt. The dough may be a touch stickier, so flour your hands well when shaping.
Why did my dough end up sticky and hard to shape?
Yogurt brands vary in moisture. If the dough feels too wet, sprinkle in a little extra flour, a tablespoon at a time, until it’s manageable. Using full-fat yogurt also helps.
Do I need to boil the bagels before air frying?
No. This recipe skips the boiling step. The yogurt gives the crust that chewy bagel quality without a water bath.
Air Fryer Bagels Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Combine the flour and yogurt in a bowl, stir until shaggy, then knead briefly on a floured surface until smooth.
- Divide into 4 equal pieces, roll each into an 8-inch rope, and shape into rings, pinching the ends to seal.
- Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with toppings, and air fry at 325°F (160°C) for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Cool for 5 minutes, then slice and serve warm.
Notes
