Vegan Bagel Bites (Air Fryer & Freezer-Friendly)
You can bet that very 90s kid has fond memories of defrosting Bagel Bites (mini pizza bagels) from when they were young. A few seconds in the microwave was all that separated us from instant comfort food gratification. But, sadly, they weren’t vegan bagel bites.
If you’ve missed these savory snacks from your childhood, here’s the secret to reviving them for your kids, or kids-at-heart!
For even more vegan pizza love, you’ve got to try these pizza bites made out of polenta and dairy-free pizza using matzah crackers!
Why You’ll Love These Vegan Bagel Bites
- Super Simple. You only need four ingredients to make an amazing vegan snack!
- Perfect to Meal Prep. These are fantastic to make ahead, freeze, and defrost whenever cravings strike!
- Good Source of Protein. Add a boost of protein with vegan pepperoni slices, meat-free sausage, vegan meatballs, or even animal-free bacon.
- Kids Can Make Their Own. Kids can get creative! All you need to do is supervise the heating process for especially young children.
- Adaptable for All Diets. This recipe is eggless and dairy-free by default. Choose gluten-free or soy-free options to suit your needs.
Key Ingredients In These Homemade Bagel Bites
Although you could make a plain cheese version with only three ingredients, we’ve added an extra protein option just in case.
- Mini Bagels – Thomas’ makes a great option that’s “accidentally” vegan, as does Target’s store brand, Favorite Day.
- Pizza Sauce – Use a mix of tomato paste with added dried herbs or your favorite marinara (or pasta sauce).
- Dairy-Free Shredded Cheese – Simple vegan mozzarella is classic for pizza, but there’s no wrong way to make things cheesy. The most popular brands are Daiya, Follow Your Heart, and Violife.
- Vegetarian Beefy Crumbles – Try Beeffree Meat Mix or Puris Pantry Texture Plant Protein. Visit your local freezer aisle for tons of other brands, including Abbot’s, Beyond Meat, Gardein, and so much more.
Customizing Your Mini Pizza Bagels
Here are some easy and delicious ingredient swap suggestions:
- Mini Bagels – quartered pieces of toast, mini pita pockets, naan dippers, or small flour tortillas or corn tortillas.
- Pizza Sauce – vegan pesto, alfredo sauce, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or buffalo sauce.
- Shredded Cheese – nutritional yeast, cashew queso, vegan sour cream, or a drizzle of tahini.
- Beefy Crumbles – crunchy chickpeas, chopped up veggie burgers, shredded deli slices, or even diced veggie dogs.
- Bonus Add-In! Add in chopped bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, diced onions (or pickled onions), sliced olives (or fried olives!) , and anything else you’d enjoy. Check out our Vegan Bagel Guide for more bagel recipes and inspiration.
How to Cook Your Pizza Bagel Bites
If you don’t have a full-sized oven or simply want an approach that’s a bit more kid-friendly, we’ve got you covered.
- Convection Oven – Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
- Air Fryer – Cook at 370 degrees for 8 – 10 minutes
- Microwave – Heat at full power for 2 – 3 minutes.
FAQs
Store leftover vegan mini pizza bagel bites in an airtight container in the fridge once they’ve cooled. They stay fresh for about 3–4 days and reheat well in the oven or air fryer to crisp them back up.
Yup! Simply swap out the regular bagels for a gluten-free version and make sure that the toppings you’re using are all free of gluten, especially the plant-based meats.
Yes, you can freeze them for up to 2 months and reheat straight from frozen. When you’re ready to eat, reheat in an air fryer at 370 degrees for 3 – 5 minutes, microwave for 2 – 3 minutes, or oven preheated to 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
More Tasty Vegan Pizza Recipes
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Vegan Bagel Bites (Pizza Bagels) — Freezer-Friendly
Ingredients
- 10 Mini Bagels
- 14 ounces pizza sauce, marinara or pasta sauce will work too if you don’t have pizza sauce
- 1 cup vegan shredded cheese
- 1/2 pound vegan beefy crumbles, any brand cooked according to package instruction (I used Plant Boss)
- Garnish with your choice of parsley chives, oregano, or basil)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare the meatless crumbles according to package instructions, adding 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce to the crumbles while they’re cooking. Feel free to add additional spices, garlic, or onion to the pan at this time if you’d like a more complex meaty topping.
- Assemble bagel pizzas. Cut all bagels in half and on each half, spread on a generous dollop of pizza sauce, sprinkle on vegan cheese, and top with your cooked vegan meaty crumbles.
- Assemble on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until the vegan cheese is melted. If cheese is not melted, broil for additional minute or two.
- Top with green garnish and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
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Leave a Comment
I’ve got to try these with the kids
I love these pizza bites! My kids are huge fans 🙂
These were my favorite as a kid! Can’t wait to try them out vegan!
I loved bagel bites as a kid and am so glad they’re so easy to make vegan! Yummm!
What a cute and fun snack idea. Those bagel pizza bites are great for a party or as an movie evening treat.
OH YES! These were so so so good! They reminded me of my childhood so much. Will definitely be making the vegan bagel bites again!
I love that I can make it with air fryer for meal prep
These are sooo easy and absolutely delicious too! Such a great snack or quick lunch meal that I can make on my lunch break. Thank you so much!
You have outdone yourself with this recipe!! Such a fun snack idea. I’ll be making these to bring to work with me because back to the office requires the best snacks!! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us!