Air fryer cream cheese bagel with hot honey, Cheddar & Chives – a warm, cheesy bagel with a spicy, sweet twist. Topped with cream cheese, melty cheddar, chives, and a drizzle of hot honey, these air fried bagels are crispy, creamy, and full of flavour. They’re the perfect snack, lunch, or brunch treat and might just become your new favourite way to enjoy bagels.
Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Cheddar & Chive Bagel
The flavours in this bagel work perfectly together: the mellow cream cheese and cheddar are balanced by the heat of fresh red chilli and the gentle sweetness of hot honey. It’s indulgent yet simple, with a perfect mix of spicy, creamy, and crispy in every bite. On top of that, this bagel can be ready in under 15 minutes, making it ideal for a quick lunch or snack. Plus, it’s made entirely in the air fryer, so there’s minimal fuss and washing up.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Cream Cheese Bagels
- 1 bagel, I used a Cheddar and Jalapeno bagel
- 4 tbsp cream cheese
- 4 tbsp grated mature cheddar
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 tsp fresh red chilli, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp honey
- 6 slices fresh red chilli
- 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
How to Make Hot Honey Cheddar & Chive Bagels in the Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Slice the bagel in half and give it a quick 2-minute air fry – you don’t want it to brown at this stage, just warm through.
While the bagel is heating, mix the cream cheese, cheddar, chives, chopped chilli, salt, and pepper together in a medium-sized bowl until well combined. Once the bagel is ready, spread this cheesy, spicy mixture generously over both halves.
Return the bagels to the air fryer and cook for 6–7 minutes, or until the topping is bubbling and lightly golden. While they cook, prepare the hot honey drizzle: gently heat the honey, fresh sliced chilli, and apple cider vinegar in a small pan until it bubbles, then remove from the heat.
Finally, remove the bagels from the air fryer and drizzle them with the warm, spicy honey. Serve immediately, and if you like, sprinkle over some extra chives.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Bagels
Prevent burnt cheese: Keep an eye on your bagels while air frying, especially towards the end of cooking. The cheddar and cream cheese can bubble and brown quickly, so checking every minute or two helps you get a perfectly golden top.
Adjust the heat: Fresh red chilli adds a lovely kick, but you can tweak the amount to suit your taste. If you prefer mild, remove the seeds or use less chilli.
Make the hot honey drizzle just right: Warm the honey with chilli and apple cider vinegar gently. It should be bubbly but not boiling. This ensures a smooth, pourable drizzle without burning the honey.
Best bagels to use: I used Cheddar and jalapeno bagels for extra flavour, but sesame or plain bagels work beautifully too. Freshly baked bagels crisp up best in the air fryer, while shop-bought bagels still work in a pinch.
Serving suggestion: Sprinkle extra chives on top just before serving for a fresh, vibrant finish and extra colour.
Hot Honey Cheddar & Chive Bagel Variations
Extra melty: Swap out half of the cheddar for mozzarella for a super gooey, melty bagel topping. You could also try a spicy Mexican-style cheddar if you want an extra kick.
Change up the heat: Replace the fresh red chillies with pickled jalapeños for a tangy, spicy twist.
Herb swaps: If you don’t have chives on hand, finely chopped spring onion works beautifully as a fresh, mild alternative.
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Air Fryer Cream Cheese Bagel with Hot Honey
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
- Slice the bagel in half and air fry for 2 minutes, do not let the bagel brown.
- Mix the cream cheese, Cheddar, chives, chopped chilli, salt and pepper together in a medium sized bowl.
- Spread this mixture generously over the bagel halves.
- Air fry for 6–7 minutes, or until bubbling and lightly golden.
- While the bagel cooks, heat honey, fresh sliced chilli, and apple cider vinegar in a small pan until bubbling. Remove from the heat.
- Remove bagels from the air fryer and drizzle with the hot honey.
- Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra chives.
Such a good idea!