Cheddar Bagels
on Feb 16, 2026
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These savory cheddar bagels are fluffy, cheesy, and so simple to make with just a few pantry staples, no yeast or rising time needed! They bake up golden with melty cheese in every bite and a garlicky kick that pairs perfectly with butter, cream cheese, or just on their own.
These cheddar bagels are one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making on repeat because they’re just that easy. There’s no yeast, no rising time, and no boiling, just mix, shape, and air fry. They don’t have the same chewy crust as traditional boiled bagels, but they’re so soft, fluffy, and packed with cheesy flavor in every bite. The melty cheddar on top gets perfectly golden, and they’re amazing in the morning, toasted with a generous smear of cream cheese on top. They’re made with simple ingredients, minimal effort, and are ready in minutes.
If you love these bagels and are looking for other bagel recipes that use the magical yogurt and self-rising flour base, you’ll love these everything bagel bites, pizza bagel bites, and easy cinnamon raisin bagels as well!
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need
Here is what you’ll need to make these cheddar bagels:
- Self-Rising Flour: The main base of the dough. If you don’t have self-rising flour, you can make your own by combining all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt (see below)!
- Greek Yogurt: Makes the dough soft and pliable, making it easy to roll out.
- Garlic Powder: Adds savory flavor throughout.
- Cheddar Cheese: Shredded, part mixed into the dough and part for topping.
- Egg: Brushed on top of the bagel bites for a golden shiny color and slightly firm crust.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Self-Rising Flour: No self-rising flour? No problem! You can make your own by mixing together 1½ cups all-purpose flour, 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt
- Egg: To make these bagels egg-free, brush the bagels with milk before adding the cheese on top.
- Greek Yogurt: I used full-fat milk Greek yogurt, but you can swap this out with dairy-free Greek-style yogurt. If using dairy-free, try to use yogurt that is thick in texture and not thin, which will be very difficult to work with.
Step-by-Step Instructions
STEP 1: In a large bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, self-rising flour, garlic powder, and ¾ cup cheese. Stir with a fork until the mixture becomes crumbly. (Images 1 & 2).
STEP 2: Once it starts to combine, use your hands to knead it until a soft dough forms. It will seem very dry initially, but continue mixing and lightly kneading with your hands until the flour is incorporated (Image 3).
STEP 3: Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and divide it into 8 equal portions (Image 4). Roll each into a log (about 8 in long), then join the ends and pinch to form a bagel shape (Images 5 & 6).
STEP 4: Place the bagels in an air fryer basket with some space between each bagel (you may have to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer). Whisk the egg in a small bowl. Brush each bagel with egg wash and sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup cheddar on top (Image 7).
STEP 5: Air fry the bagels at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden (Image 8).
STEP 6: Let them cool completely before serving. This helps them firm up and prevents a gummy center.
Storage Instructions
These cheddar bagels can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1–2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze fully cooled bagels in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months and reheat in the air fryer at 250F for 5 to 6 minutes to crisp the outside.
Tips For Success
- Don’t worry if the dough feels a bit dry at first, it should come together as you knead it. Knead just until it comes together and avoid overmixing.
- Feel free to add herbs like dried oregano or chives for extra flavor.
- You can swap cheddar with your favorite cheese or a blend of cheeses.
- Make the hole larger than you think. The bagels puff up while cooking, so start with a slightly bigger center hole to prevent them from closing.
- Let them cool before slicing. Cutting too early can make the center seem undercooked because they’re still setting from the steam inside.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! To bake these bakes in an oven, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cooking them in the air fryer gives them more of a crisp texture, but the oven still works well.
Yes! To make full-sized bagels, split the dough into 3 or 4 pieces instead of 8.
No, these are more like a soft, fluffy bagel-style bread. They don’t have the chewy crust of classic boiled bagels, but they’re much quicker and easier to make.
Yes! Try sliced jalapeños for a fun topping or chopped chives, cooked bacon bits, or everything bagel seasoning mixed right into the dough.
Other Quick Bread Recipes You’ll Love
High Protein Biscuits
Easy Garlic Knots (No Yeast)
Cottage Cheese Rolls
Easiest Cinnamon And Raisin Bagels
If you tried these Cheddar Bagels, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below! I love hearing from you!
Cheddar Bagels
Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1½ cups self-rising flour, see notes above on how to make your own self-rising flour if needed
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, divided, ¾ cup for dough + ¼ cup for top
- 1 egg, for egg wash (or swap with milk for egg-free)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, self-rising flour, garlic powder, and ¾ cup cheese. Stir with a fork until the mixture becomes crumbly.
- Once it starts to combine, use your hands to knead it until a soft dough forms. It will seem very dry initially, but continue mixing and lightly kneading with your hands until the flour is incorporated.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each into a log (about 8 in long), then join the ends and pinch to form a bagel shape.
- Place the bagels in an air fryer basket with some space between each bagel (you may have to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer). Whisk the egg in a small bowl. Brush each bagel with egg wash and sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup cheddar on top.
- Air fry the bagels at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden.
- Let them cool completely before serving. This helps them firm up and prevents a gummy center.
