These Pizza Protein Bagels combine a simple, two-ingredient yogurt dough base with savory pizza fillings, like mini pepperoni, gooey mozzarella cheese, and Italian herbs, baked directly into the dough itself. Prepared in just 5 minutes and air-fried to golden perfection, each bagel naturally packs about 14 to 16 grams of protein.
Recipe Highlights
- High Protein Content: Skyr yogurt infuses the dough with rich protein, eliminating any need for supplemental protein powders.
- Flavor Inside the Dough: Pockets of pepperoni, melted cheese, and herbs are fully integrated into the dough mixture rather than sitting as a loose topping.
- Fast and Simple: Features an effortless “mix, knead, shape, and air fry” sequence requiring no dough rise time.
- Meal Prep and Kid-Friendly: A favorite for quick after-school snacks or savory breakfasts that can easily be reheated throughout the week.
Featured Ingredients
- Plain Skyr Yogurt: Creates the ultra-thick, high-protein base for the dough (brands like Siggi’s or Painterland Sisters work beautifully). Plain, nonfat Greek yogurt can also be used as a direct substitute.
- Self-Rising Flour: Provides the built-in leavening agents so the bagels puff up properly without relying on yeast.
- Mini Pepperoni: Sized small to ensure an even distribution throughout the dough network. Regular pepperoni can be used if chopped into small pieces.
- Shredded Mozzarella: Melts as the bagel bakes, distributing gooey cheese pockets through the interior.
- Italian Seasoning & Sea Salt: Blended right into the dough matrix, with extra seasoning saved to sprinkle over the crust.
- Warm Pizza Sauce: Served on the side as the perfect dipping accompaniment.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Mix the Dough
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the thick skyr yogurt, self-rising flour, shredded mozzarella, mini pepperoni pieces, Italian seasoning, and sea salt. Stir the ingredients with a sturdy spoon until combined, then press the mixture firmly into a uniform ball with your hands.
Step 2: Knead and Shape
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it for 1 to 2 minutes until completely smooth, dusting with a little extra flour if it catches or sticks. Divide the dough ball into 4 equal portions. Roll each portion out into a 5-inch log, bring the ends together, and pinch tightly to seal them into classic bagel rounds.
Step 3: Coat and Season
Whisk an egg in a small bowl. Brush the egg wash over both the tops and bottoms of the shaped bagels, then finish with a light sprinkle of extra Italian seasoning across the top.
Step 4: Air Fry
Line your air fryer basket with a sheet of parchment paper. Place the bagels inside, leaving space between them to allow the hot air to circulate properly (cook in two batches if your air fryer basket is smaller). Air fry at 350°F for 8 minutes, flip the bagels over, and air fry for an additional 8 minutes until they are a deep golden brown.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Let the freshly baked pizza bagels cool down for 5 minutes to allow the cheese pockets to set slightly, then serve immediately alongside warm pizza sauce for dipping.
Pro-Tips & Substitutions
- Flour Hack: If you do not have self-rising flour, you can easily make your own. For every cup of all-purpose flour used, simply whisk in 121 teaspoons of baking powder and 41 teaspoons of salt. (If using this substitution, skip adding the extra sea salt requested in the main recipe).
- Oven Baking Alternative: If you do not own an air fryer, lay the bagels across a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake them in a standard oven at 375°F for 20 to 22 minutes, making sure to flip them over halfway through the baking time.
- Pre-Shape for Later: You can shape and assemble these bagels up to 24 hours in advance. Keep them covered on a parchment-lined tray in the refrigerator until ready to bake, adding an extra 1 to 2 minutes to the final cooking time.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- In the Fridge: Store your leftover pizza bagels in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To make the outer crust nice and crispy again, reheat them in the air fryer at 300°F for 3 to 4 minutes.
- In the Freezer: Let the cooked bagels cool down to room temperature. Freeze them in a single layer on a tray before packing them away into a heavy-duty freezer bag. They can be reheated straight from frozen by air-frying them at 325°F for 5 to 6 minutes.
