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These low carb air fryer bagels use almond flour and mozzarella instead of wheat flour. The keto recipe makes six small portions and cooks at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes per batch. Allow extra time to mix, shape, rest and cool the dough.

These are based on fathead-style dough rather than conventional yeast dough. They are cheesy, filling, and sturdy enough for cream cheese or a breakfast sandwich, but they will not have the exact texture of a boiled wheat bagel.

The recipe keeps the ingredient list short with almond flour, mozzarella, butter, baking powder, vinegar, and eggs. The original nutrition calculation comes to approximately 4.3 grams of net carbohydrates per bagel, although your brands can change that estimate.

The most important steps are mixing the warm cheese thoroughly into the almond flour, waiting until the dough is cool enough to handle, shaping it with damp hands, and letting the finished bagels cool so the centers can set.

What do you need to make keto bagels?

The ingredients are simple! This recipe is a take on the very popular fathead dough. Very similar to my keto air fryer rolls, this recipe is an excellent bread substitute! All you need are:

Almond Flour
Mozzarella Cheese
Butter
Baking Powder
Vinegar
Eggs

Fathead dough usually uses cream cheese, but since most of the time you put cream cheese on top of a bagel, I didn't want to double up on it!

Making these bagels in the air fryer cuts down the time. You could even cook a bunch and freeze them, then just toast them up in the morning for a quick and easy breakfast!

How many carbs in low carb bagels?

These are smaller than a typical bakery bagel. In the original batch, I shaped three mini bagels and three bagel bites. The recipe card calculates six servings, so the approximate nutrition below is for one-sixth of the dough, without toppings. Divide the dough into six equal portions if you want each piece to match that serving estimate:

Calories 408.7
Total Carbs 8.3g
Fiber 4g
Net Carbs 4.3g
Protein 20.3g
Fat 33.5g

How can you customize your air fryer bagels?

The possibilities are wide open. From jalapeño cheddar to cinnamon sweetener, you can change the topping while keeping the base recipe the same.

One of my favorite things to put on any kind of bagel is everything bagel seasoning and it's super simple to make yourself!

How to make keto air fryer bagels

Microwave the almond flour, mozzarella, and butter together for 90 seconds, or until the cheese and butter have melted. Stir with a rubber spatula until the mixture begins coming together, then mix in the baking powder, vinegar, and egg.

Once the dough is cool enough to touch, divide it into six equal pieces. Shape each piece into a small bagel or bagel bite with damp hands, then let the shaped dough rest for 5 minutes.

Mix the egg-wash egg with the 1 teaspoon of melted butter listed in the recipe card and brush it over the tops. Place parchment in the basket only when the bagels are ready to weigh it down, and follow the liner instructions for your particular machine. My guide to using parchment paper in an air fryer explains why loose parchment should never be allowed to blow toward the heating element.

Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes, flipping carefully halfway through. Work in batches if the bagels do not fit without crowding. Let them cool completely before slicing or eating so the cheese-based dough has time to set.

Fathead dough troubleshooting

Why is the dough sticky?

The dough is easiest to shape after it has cooled enough to handle. Damp hands also keep it from clinging to your fingers. Do not add unlisted flour automatically, because that changes the ingredient balance and nutrition.

Why are there streaks of cheese in the dough?

The melted mozzarella and almond flour need to be mixed thoroughly before shaping. If the cheese is still sitting in separate strands, keep folding and pressing the warm mixture together with the spatula.

Why did the bagels brown unevenly?

Leave space between them, flip at the halfway point, and cook in batches when necessary. Air fryers concentrate heat differently, so begin watching the first batch before the full 10 minutes have passed. If the bottoms stay pale or damp, check the basket spacing and liner using the air fryer browning and crispness troubleshooting guide. These cheese-based bagels should still have a soft interior.

How to tell when the bagels are done

The outside should look set and browned, and the bagels should hold their shape when lifted carefully with tongs. The centers continue firming as they cool, so give them the full cooling period before deciding the inside is too soft.

Keto air fryer bagels FAQ

Are these traditional bagels?

No. Traditional bagels use wheat-based yeast dough and are commonly boiled before baking. These are small keto bagels made with almond flour and mozzarella cheese.

Can I make them without parchment paper?

Follow the directions for your air fryer basket and its coating. If you use parchment, place it in with the food so the bagels hold it down, and do not let loose paper circulate near the heating element.

Can I make one large bagel instead of six small ones?

The listed 10-minute timing is for six smaller pieces. One larger, thicker bagel should not be expected to cook through on the same schedule.

How many net carbs are in one bagel?

The original calculation is approximately 4.3 grams of net carbohydrates per bagel when the recipe makes six. Almond flour, mozzarella, and other brands vary, so calculate with your own products when precise macros matter.

More keto air fryer recipes

Try the related keto air fryer rolls, use one of these bagels for a keto breakfast sandwich, or browse the collections of air fryer bread recipes and keto air fryer recipes.