Air Fryer Pretzel Bites {Soft Pretzel Bites} Recipe
These Air Fryer Pretzel Bites are soft, chewy, and perfect for snacking or serving with your favorite dips. Made from a simple yeast dough, they are quick to prepare and cooked to golden perfection in the air fryer, offering a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. The pretzel bites feature a slight salty crust and buttery finish, ideal for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or party snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: About 50 pretzel bites
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 1/2 cups water (about 110˚F)
- 2 1/4 tsp quick rise yeast (or active dry yeast, see notes)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp sugar or honey
Baking Soda Bath
- 4 cups water
- 1/3 cup baking soda
Topping and Finishing
- 1 egg (beaten, optional for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)
- 3 tbsp butter (melted)
- Pretzel salt (optional)
- Olive oil (for brushing air fryer basket)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the warm water and yeast and stir until dissolved. Add the flour, sugar (or honey), and sea salt, stirring until the dough is mostly combined.
- Knead the Dough: Lightly flour your hands and knead the dough by hand for about 1 minute until it forms a smooth ball. Then divide the dough into eight equal portions.
- Shape the Pretzel Bites: On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough portion into ropes. Use a floured knife to cut each rope into 1-inch pieces to form the pretzel bites.
- Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Lightly brush the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking. Place the pretzel bites in the basket, leaving enough space between them for expansion.
- Cook the Pretzel Bites: Air fry the pretzel bites at 390˚F for 6 minutes or until they turn lightly golden brown on top.
- Finish with Butter and Salt: Immediately after cooking, brush the hot pretzel bites with melted butter and sprinkle pretzel salt on top for extra flavor.
Notes
- If you prefer a traditional pretzel crust, dip the pretzel bites in a baking soda bath (4 cups water mixed with 1/3 cup baking soda, briefly before air frying) to achieve the characteristic flavor and color.
- For a shinier and deeper browned crust, you can optionally brush the pretzels with an egg wash made from one beaten egg mixed with 1 tablespoon of water before air frying.
- This recipe yields about 50 soft pretzel bites, making it perfect for large gatherings or parties.
- Quick rise yeast can be substituted with active dry yeast by proofing it in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes until bubbly before adding other ingredients.
- If you do not have pretzel salt, coarse sea salt or kosher salt can be used as an alternative.