Making 2-Ingredient Greek Yogurt Bagels in Your Air Fryer

If you’ve ever dreamed of making fresh, warm bagels at home but were intimidated by the thought of boiling and complicated yeast doughs, then you have come to the right place.

Today, we’re making the viral and incredibly easy 2-ingredient Greek yogurt bagels, and we’re using the magic of the air fryer to get them perfectly golden-brown and delicious in minutes.

This recipe is a true game-changer. The dough comes together in a flash with just self-rising flour and protein-packed Greek yogurt—that’s it! There’s no yeast, no proofing, and no boiling required.

The air fryer does an amazing job of creating a bagel that’s beautifully browned and slightly crisp on the outside, while the inside remains wonderfully soft and chewy.

This is a fun, fast, and surprisingly healthy way to enjoy a fresh bagel any time you want. So, let’s get our bowls out and mix up a batch of these amazing bagels!

Quick Recipe Snapshot

Here’s a quick look at how incredibly fast you can have fresh, homemade bagels.

Ingredients

This simple, high-protein recipe requires just two main ingredients, with a few optional additions for the classic bagel finish.

• Self-Rising Flour – This is the key ingredient. It already contains baking powder and salt, which is what makes the bagels rise without yeast. If you don’t have it, you can make your own (see FAQs).
  • 2 bagels: ½ cup
  • 4 bagels: 1 cup
• Plain Greek Yogurt – You must use a thick, strained Greek yogurt. Full-fat or 2% will provide the best flavor and texture. Do not use regular, runny yogurt.
  • 2 bagels: ½ cup
  • 4 bagels: 1 cup
• For the Topping:
  • Egg Wash: 1 large egg, beaten. This is for getting that shiny, golden-brown crust.
  • Everything Bagel Seasoning: Or your favorite toppings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or coarse salt.

The Flavor Architects A Look at the Ingredients

• Self-Rising Flour: This is the magic shortcut. It’s a pre-mixed blend of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. The baking powder reacts with the acid in the Greek yogurt, creating the leavening that makes the bagels puff up and become light.
• Greek Yogurt: The second star of the show, Greek yogurt provides the moisture, fat, protein, and acidity needed to form the dough and activate the baking powder. Its thick consistency is crucial.
• Egg Wash: This is the key to achieving that classic, shiny, and deeply golden-brown bagel crust. It also acts as the “glue” to help your toppings stick.
• Everything Bagel Seasoning: This popular blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and coarse salt provides a huge burst of savory, crunchy, and aromatic flavor.

Essential Tools

This simple recipe requires minimal equipment.

• Air Fryer
• Medium mixing bowl
• Parchment paper (special air fryer liners are great)
• Pastry brush

Cooking Instructions

This fun and easy recipe is a simple process of mixing, shaping, and baking in the air fryer.

Step 1: Create the Simple 2-Ingredient Dough

First, prepare your workspace by lightly flouring a clean countertop or a large cutting board. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the self-rising flour and the Greek yogurt.

Use a spatula or a fork to mix the two ingredients together until a shaggy, thick dough begins to form. Don’t worry if it looks a little messy at this stage; it will all come together in the next step.

Step 2: Knead and Shape the Bagels

Turn the shaggy dough out onto your floured surface. Knead the dough with your hands for just 2-3 minutes, until it becomes smooth and is no longer sticky. Add a little more flour to your hands or the surface if needed.

Divide the smooth dough into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a thick rope about 6-7 inches long. Join the ends of the rope together, pinching them firmly to form a classic bagel shape.

Step 3: Apply the Topping

Before placing the bagels in the air fryer, you’ll want to give them their classic finish. Line your air fryer basket with a piece of parchment paper. Place the shaped bagels on the parchment paper inside the basket.

Take your beaten egg and use a pastry brush to apply a thin, even layer of the egg wash over the top and sides of each bagel. This is what will give them that beautiful shine and color. Immediately sprinkle your Everything Bagel Seasoning or other desired toppings generously over the wet egg wash.

Step 4: Air Fry to Golden Perfection

Carefully slide the basket into your air fryer. Air fry the bagels at 330°F (165°C) for 12 to 15 minutes. The exact time will depend on your air fryer model. The bagels are done when they have puffed up significantly and are a deep, beautiful golden-brown on top.

Let the bagels cool in the basket for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They are best enjoyed fresh but will last for a few days.

Recipe Variations

This simple dough is a wonderful base for your own bagel creations.

• Cinnamon Raisin: Knead ¼ cup of raisins and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon into the dough before shaping.
• Cheddar Jalapeño: Knead ¼ cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1-2 tablespoons of finely chopped pickled jalapeños into the dough for a savory, spicy twist.
• Asiago Cheese: Knead in ¼ cup of shredded Asiago cheese and sprinkle more on top before baking for a cheesy, savory bagel.

Serving Suggestions

These fresh, warm bagels are perfect for a classic breakfast or lunch.

• Classic Cream Cheese: Slice them in half and toast them, then slather with your favorite cream cheese.
• Breakfast Sandwich: Use a toasted bagel to build a delicious breakfast sandwich with a fried egg, cheese, and your choice of protein.
• Lox and Bagels: A classic pairing of cream cheese, smoked salmon (lox), thinly sliced red onion, and capers.
• Avocado Toast: Mash half an avocado on top of a toasted bagel and sprinkle with red pepper flakes and a little flaky sea salt.

Storage & Reheating Tips

These bagels are at their absolute best the day they are made, but they store well.

• Storage: Let the bagels cool completely. Store them in an airtight bag or container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: The best way to enjoy a leftover bagel is to slice it in half and toast it. You can do this in a regular toaster, or in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F (175°C) until warm and crispy.

Common Mistakes & Fixes

FAQs

Can I make my own self-rising flour?

Yes, absolutely! If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can easily make your own.

For every 1 cup of all-purpose flour, simply whisk in 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of fine salt.

Can I use regular yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?

No, it is not recommended. Regular yogurt has a much higher water content and is not thick enough.

This will result in an extremely sticky and wet dough that will be very difficult to work with and may not rise properly. You must use a thick, strained yogurt like Greek yogurt.

Can I bake these bagels in a conventional oven?

Yes, you can. Prepare the bagels as directed. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden-brown and cooked through.

They may not get as evenly browned as they do in the air fryer.

Enjoy Your Homemade Bagels!

You are now ready to make the easiest, quickest, and most satisfying homemade bagels you’ve ever had.

This Greek yogurt bagels air fryer recipe is a fantastic way to enjoy a fresh, warm bagel without any of the fuss of a traditional recipe.

Have fun making them your own with different toppings and enjoy every delicious bite!