If you love my air fryer protein bagels, get ready for the savory upgrade you didn’t know you needed. These pizza protein bagels are loaded with mini pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and Italian seasoning baked right into the dough — no topping required.
Same easy 2-ingredient yogurt dough base, same air fryer method, but now with all the flavors of a pepperoni pizza tucked inside every bite. Dip them in warm pizza sauce and try not to eat all four.
These take just 5 minutes to prep and 16 minutes to air fry. They’re perfect for meal prep, after-school snacks, or a savory high-protein breakfast that actually tastes exciting.
Why You’ll Love These Pizza Protein Bagels
- High protein: Skyr yogurt packs each bagel with protein without any protein powder.
- Pizza flavor baked in: Mini pepperoni, mozzarella, and Italian seasoning go INTO the dough — not just on top.
- 5 minutes of prep: Mix, knead, shape, and air fry. That’s it.
- Kid-friendly: My kids devour these. They’re basically pizza in bagel form.
- Meal prep ready: Make a batch on Sunday and reheat all week.
Featured Ingredients
- Plain skyr yogurt: The base of the protein dough. I love Siggi’s or Painterland Sisters for the thick texture and high protein content. Plain, nonfat Greek yogurt works too.
- Self-rising flour: Has the leavening built in so the bagels puff up without yeast. No rise time needed.
- Mini pepperoni: Small enough to distribute evenly throughout the dough. Regular pepperoni works too — just chop it into small pieces.
- Shredded mozzarella: Melts into the dough as it bakes for gooey pockets of cheese throughout.
- Italian seasoning: Goes both in the dough and on top for double the herb flavor.
- Pizza sauce: For dipping! Warm it up for the full experience.
How to Make Pizza Protein Bagels
Step 1: Mix the Dough
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Add the yogurt, self-rising flour, mozzarella, mini pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and sea salt to a large bowl. Stir with a silicone or wooden spoon until combined, then use your hands to press it into a ball.
Step 2: Knead and Shape
Transfer to a floured work surface and knead for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Sprinkle more flour as needed so it doesn’t stick. Divide into 4 equal portions, roll each into a 5-inch log, then bring the ends together and pinch to form a bagel shape.
Step 3: Egg Wash and Season
Brush each bagel on the top and bottom with whisked egg and sprinkle with additional Italian seasoning.
Step 4: Air Fry
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Place the bagels in (you may need 2 batches depending on your air fryer size). Air fry for 8 minutes, flip, then cook for another 8 minutes until golden brown.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Let the bagels cool for 5 minutes, then serve with warm pizza sauce for dipping. Fair warning — these disappear fast.
Tips and Variations
- Cheese swap: Use shredded Parmesan instead of mozzarella, or a mix of both for extra flavor.
- Greek yogurt: Plain, nonfat Greek yogurt works as a substitute for skyr. Avoid flavored varieties.
- Oven method: No air fryer? Bake at 375°F on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 20-22 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Make ahead: Shape the bagels and refrigerate on a parchment-lined tray for up to 24 hours before air frying. Add 1-2 minutes to cook time.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 3-4 minutes to get them crispy again.
- Extra toppings: Try adding a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning on top alongside the Italian seasoning for a fun twist.
FAQ
Can I use regular flour instead of self-rising?
Yes! For every cup of all-purpose flour, add 1½ teaspoons of baking powder and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Skip the additional sea salt in the recipe.
How much protein is in each bagel?
Each pizza protein bagel has approximately 14-16g of protein thanks to the skyr yogurt, mozzarella, and pepperoni. The exact amount depends on your yogurt brand.
Can I freeze these?
Absolutely! Let the bagels cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag. Reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer at 325°F for 5-6 minutes.
More Protein Bagel Recipes
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Preheat the air fryer to 350°F.
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Place the yogurt, flour, mozzarella cheese, mini pepperoni, Italian seasoning, and sea salt into a large bowl. Using a silicone or wooden spoon, stir until combined. Then, using your hands, press together until a ball has formed.
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Transfer the dough to a floured work surface. Knead together until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle more flour over the top as needed so the dough is not super sticky.
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Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each piece into a 5-inch log, then bring the ends together and pinch to form a smooth circle.
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Brush each bagel on the top and bottom with the egg wash and sprinkle with additional Italian seasoning.
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Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper and place the bagels in. You may need to do this in 2 batches depending on your air fryer size.
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Air fry for 8 minutes, then flip the bagels and cook for an additional 8 minutes or until golden brown.
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Remove from the air fryer and allow the bagels to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with warm pizza sauce for dipping.
- Parmesan cheese: Swap the mozzarella for shredded Parmesan, or use a mix of both for extra flavor.
- Greek yogurt: Plain, nonfat Greek yogurt works as a substitute for skyr. Avoid flavored varieties.
- Make ahead: Shaped bagels can be refrigerated on a parchment-lined tray for up to 24 hours before air frying. Add 1-2 minutes to cook time.
- Oven method: If you don’t have an air fryer, bake at 375°F on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 20-22 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for 3-4 minutes.
Serving: 1 g, Calories: 220 kcal, Carbohydrates: 26 g, Protein: 14 g, Fat: 6 g, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 2 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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