Crispy Bagel Bites Copycat Recipe
A quick and easy homemade snack featuring toasted mini bagels topped with tomato sauce, melted mozzarella, and optional pepperoni for a crowd-pleasing treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 16 bagel bites (8 mini bagels halved) 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 mini bagels, sliced in half horizontally (plain or everything bagels recommended)
- 1 cup marinara or pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup thinly sliced pepperoni (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Handful of fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the mini bagels in half horizontally and place them cut-side up on the baking sheet.
- Brush each bagel half lightly with olive oil using a pastry brush.
- Spread about 1 tablespoon of tomato sauce evenly on each bagel half, leaving a small border.
- Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce on each bagel half.
- Place 3-4 thin slices of pepperoni on top of the cheese, if using.
- Lightly sprinkle garlic powder and Italian seasoning over each bagel bite.
- Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden and the bagel edges are crispy.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil or parsley on top.
- Let the bagel bites cool for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra crispiness, brush olive oil on the cut side of bagels before adding toppings. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking for even melting. Avoid piling on too much sauce to prevent sogginess. Freshly shredded mozzarella melts better than pre-shredded. Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for extra golden tops, watching carefully to avoid burning. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness. Freeze on a tray before transferring to a bag for best results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1-2 bagel bites
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 3.5
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 6
Keywords: bagel bites, homemade snack, crispy bagel bites, easy snack recipe, kid-friendly snack, copycat recipe