Can You Toast a Bagel in an Air Fryer Successfully

Air fryers have changed many traditional cooking methods, but can they perform equally well in bagel toasting? Let's find out.

How do you toast a bagel in the air fryer?

Cut the bagel in half directly and place the cut sides up in the air fryer basket. Bake at 175°C for 3 minutes, and you can flip it over once during the process.

Key points to enhance the taste:

Thickness control: When slicing, first use the tip of the knife to make a scratch and then press down to avoid cutting it into pieces and ensure a smooth cut surface.

Spray water to increase crispness: Before putting it into the air fryer, lightly spray a layer of water on the cut surface with a spray bottle. The evaporation of water under high temperature will make the surface firmer.

Adjust the temperature flexibly: For air fryers with high power, you can lower the temperature by 5°C to avoid over-toasting the surface. If the bagel has been refrigerated, add an extra 30 seconds of baking time.

Take it out immediately after baking. Let it cool for 10 seconds before spreading the sauce. The residual heat will make the surface further tighten. It is recommended to pair it with savory toppings (such as smoked salmon) or sweet jams. It tastes best when eaten hot!

Should I butter the bagel before putting it in the air fryer?

When making bagels in an air fryer, spreading a layer of butter in advance can not only enhance the taste but also make the surface crispier. However, you need to pay attention to the method, otherwise, it is easy to get burnt or greasy.

The secret of butter lies in penetration

Apply a thin layer of softened butter (do not use liquid butter). This allows the bagel to be heated evenly at high temperatures. While forming a golden and crispy outer crust, the inside remains moist and soft. If you bake it directly without butter, the taste is likely to be dry and hard.

Key points of operation: small amount + preheating

Use a very small amount of butter. Just lightly brush the surface with a brush. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C for 2 minutes, then put in the bagel and bake for 5 - 6 minutes. Flip it over once during the process to avoid local overheating. If you like a sweet or savory flavor, sprinkling some garlic powder or cinnamon sugar is also wonderful.

A lazy person's alternative

If you are worried about calories or find it troublesome, you can use olive oil spray instead of butter. Spray a layer and then bake, and you can also achieve a crispy crust effect. However, the aroma will be slightly weaker, making it suitable for people who pursue a low-fat diet. There is no need to thaw frozen bagels. Just extend the baking time by 2 minutes after applying the oil.

Do I need to flip the bagel while toasting in the air fryer?

Yes, you need to flip it! Although the hot air in the air fryer circulates quickly, due to the relatively large thickness of the bagel, heating only one side can easily cause the bottom to become overdone and the top to be undercooked. Flipping it once in the middle can ensure that both sides form a crispy crust evenly.

Set the total baking time to 5 - 6 minutes (at 180°C), and take it out to quickly flip it over at the 3-minute mark. By this time, the surface has already turned slightly yellow and set, so flipping it is less likely to damage its shape. If you have added toppings that are prone to dripping, such as cheese, it is recommended to line the baking basket with baking paper and lower the temperature to 160°C.

If you are short on time, you can place the bagel vertically on its side in the baking basket and let the curved surface be exposed to the hot air, which can reduce the need for flipping. However, the taste will be slightly inferior to the version with flipping, and the moisture in the center may not be evenly distributed.

Air fryers vary greatly in power. It is recommended to pull out the baking basket to check the color during the last 2 minutes. Turn off the heat when the surface turns honey-colored, as the residual heat will continue to deepen the color. Frozen bagels do not require additional flipping, but the total baking time needs to be increased by 1 - 2 minutes.

What's the difference between toasting bagels in an air fryer vs. a regular toaster?

The most obvious difference lies in the heating method. The air fryer circulates hot air like a hair dryer, which can make the bagel crispy both inside and out. A regular toaster has two heating elements on the top and bottom, mainly charring the contact surfaces.

Bagels toasted in an air fryer are as crispy as just-baked cookies all over. In a toaster, the bagel is more likely to have charred stripes pressed on it, with the edges prone to getting hard while the middle remains soft.

For bagels taken directly from the freezer, an air fryer can make them soft again in 5 minutes. A toaster requires repeated use of the defrost setting, and if you're not careful, the surface can quickly turn black.

A toaster can only heat in a single layer, while an air fryer can toast four bagels at the same time. If you want to add a slice of bacon or a fried egg to your breakfast, it's more convenient to bake them on top of the bagels together.

You need to clean the breadcrumbs at the bottom of the toaster frequently, otherwise, it will easily develop a burnt smell. The basket of the air fryer should be washed immediately after use, as the solidified oil stains are very difficult to scrub off if left for a long time.

How do I know when my bagel is perfectly toasted in the air fryer?

When the natural cracks on the surface of the bagel start to turn honey-colored and fine caramel spots appear around the edges, it is in the perfect state. I usually observe through the air fryer basket, and this color change usually occurs around the 4th minute.

A perfectly toasted bagel will stop emitting fine white steam. At this time, the internal moisture has just reached an equilibrium point. If you can smell an obvious wheat aroma from the air outlet, it means the Maillard reaction has been completed.

For bagels with fillings, you need to look at the state of the fillings. When the cheese develops golden bubbles and the edges of the bacon roll curl up about 3mm, these are signs of being ready.

How can I prevent my bagel from getting too crispy in the air fryer?

Try placing half a piece of bamboo steamer cloth in the air fryer basket. The steam infiltration can keep the surface flexible.

Turn off the power when you observe that the heating tube starts to dim. The residual heat of the air fryer is sufficient to complete the final baking. This technique is borrowed from making European bread and is especially suitable for thick-sliced bagels. The central temperature can be reduced by about 8 °C this way.

Have you ever tried making shallow incisions on the surface with a butter knife? Make three parallel lines around the "waist" of the bagel. The hot air will disperse along the lines. The key is to make the incisions before putting it into the air fryer. The expanding cracks during baking will naturally form a buffer zone.