Air-Fry Super Pretzel Bites: Quick, Crispy, Golden Perfection!

Super Pretzel Bites are a tasty snack that can be made in an air fryer in just a few minutes. They are warm and crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. The air fryer cooks the pretzel bites to perfection, giving them a classic pretzel flavour and texture. The bites are also extremely versatile and can be served with a variety of dips and sauces, such as cheese sauce, mustard, or honey mustard.

To make Super Pretzel Bites in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

- Flour (all-purpose or bread flour)

- Yeast (active dry yeast or instant yeast)

- Sugar or honey

- Salt (fine grind sea salt, kosher salt, or pretzel salt)

- Butter (optional)

- Baking soda (optional)

- Egg (optional)

The first step is to make the pretzel dough by combining the yeast, sugar, flour, and salt in a mixing bowl. Then, add warm water slowly until the dough is sticky and well-hydrated. If using active dry yeast, you may need to bloom it before mixing it into the dough and let the dough rest for about 30 minutes.

Next, roll the dough into ropes and cut them into bite-sized pieces. If desired, you can boil the pretzel bites in a baking soda bath to give them a chewier texture and a darker colour. This step is not necessary, but it adds to the signature pretzel flavour.

After that, place the pretzel bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Brush the basket with olive oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Air fry the pretzel bites at a temperature between 320-400°F for 3-7 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Finally, remove the pretzel bites from the air fryer and serve them warm. You can brush them with melted butter and sprinkle with pretzel salt, or serve them with your favourite dip. Enjoy!

How to make the pretzel bites dough

Making the pretzel bites dough is a simple process, but it does require some time and specific ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the pretzel bites dough:

Ingredients:

• Warm water (around 100°F to 115°F)
• Active dry yeast or instant yeast
• Sugar (white or brown) or honey
• Salt (fine grind sea salt, kosher salt, or pretzel salt)
• Butter (unsalted or salted), melted
• All-purpose flour or bread flour
• Baking soda
• Egg (optional)

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Stir the mixture and let it sit for a few minutes until it becomes foamy. This step helps activate the yeast.
• Add the salt, melted butter, and flour to the yeast mixture. Stir or mix the ingredients until they are mostly combined. The dough will be dry and crumbly at this point.
• Slowly add more warm water, a little at a time, and continue mixing. The dough should become sticky and well-hydrated. This helps activate the yeast and gives the pretzels a nice texture.
• Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for about 5 minutes. This allows the ingredients to come together and the gluten to relax, making it easier to roll out.
• Sprinkle some flour on a clean work surface and place the sticky dough on it. Sprinkle a small amount of flour on top of the dough to prevent sticking.
• Knead the dough by folding it in half and pressing it with the palms of your hands while pushing it away from you. Repeat this process a few times until the flour is incorporated and the dough becomes smooth and tacky to the touch.
• Cut the dough into equal pieces. The number of pieces will depend on the desired size of your pretzel bites. For smaller bites, cut the dough into 8 pieces, and for larger bites, cut it into 6 pieces.
• Roll each piece of dough into a rope. The rope should be long (around 12-22 inches) and thin (slightly less than a dime in diameter). This step may require a light dusting of flour to prevent sticking.
• Cut the rope into small pieces, about 1-inch to 1.5-inch long, to form the pretzel bites.

Now that you have the pretzel bites dough ready, you can continue with the next steps of the recipe, including the baking soda bath and air frying or baking. Enjoy making your delicious pretzel bites!

How to cook the pretzel bites in the air fryer

Ingredients:

• Super Pretzels (these can be found at Walmart)
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• (optional) Butter, cheese sauce, mustard, or your favourite dip

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 330-400°F.
• Brush the frozen pretzel bites with a little bit of water.
• Sprinkle coarse salt on top.
• Place the pretzel bites in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch.
• Air fry at 350°F for 3-7 minutes, checking regularly to ensure they don't burn.
• Remove the pretzel bites from the air fryer once they are a golden brown colour.
• Enjoy the pretzel bites with butter, cheese sauce, mustard, or your favourite dip!

Tips:

• You don't need to thaw the pretzel bites before placing them in the air fryer.
• You don't need to spray the pretzel bites with oil before placing them in the air fryer.
• The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer and the brand of pretzel bites, so keep an eye on them!
• For a richer flavour, you can brush the pretzel bites with an egg wash or melted butter before air frying.
• If you want to make pretzel bites from scratch, you can find recipes online that use flour, yeast, sugar, salt, and water.

How to make the pretzel bites crispy

To make pretzel bites crispy, brush the frozen pretzel bites with a little bit of water. Then, sprinkle coarse salt on top. This salt usually comes with the frozen pretzel bites.

When the air fryer is hot, add the frozen pretzel bites into the air fryer tray. They shouldn't touch so that they heat evenly. Air fry the pretzel bites at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes until they are fully heated through.

Check on them regularly because you don't want the outside to get too dark. Exactly how long they will need depends on your air fryer and the brand of frozen pretzel bites.

When done and sufficiently browned, remove the pretzel bites from the air fryer. You can serve them with (melted) butter, mustard, or just as they are. Enjoy!

You can also try using an egg wash or melted butter instead of plain water to moisten the pretzels before air frying them for a richer flavor.

How to store and reheat the pretzel bites

Air fryer pretzel bites are best served warm and fresh from the air fryer. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. After 3 days, they tend to get a little drier and denser.

You can store the pretzel bites in the refrigerator in an airtight container, but it is not necessary. They can be safely stored at room temperature.

If you want to freeze the pretzel bites, ensure they are completely cool before placing them in a freezer bag or container. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat the pretzel bites, preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C for 5-10 minutes. Place the pretzel bites in the basket—they do not need to be in a single layer. Reduce the temperature to 300°F/150°C and air fry for 2-3 minutes, just until they are warmed through.

Alternatively, you can reheat the pretzel bites in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F/175°C and place the pretzels on a tray. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F/160°C and bake for about 5 minutes, or until warmed through.

How to make variations of the pretzel bites

There are many ways to change up the flavor of your pretzel bites. Here are some ideas:

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

Coat the pretzel bites in melted butter and roll them in cinnamon sugar for a sweet and crunchy bite. You can also try brushing the tops of the pretzels with olive or coconut oil and sprinkling on a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.

Buffalo Pretzel Bites

Add your favorite hot sauce to the melted butter and lightly coat the pretzel bites. Serve with blue cheese dressing or sprinkle blue cheese crumbles on top.

BBQ Pretzel Bites

Spritz the finished pretzel bites with oil and sprinkle on your favorite BBQ rub.

Honey Mustard Pretzel Bites

Dip the freshly baked pretzel bites in honey mustard for a sweet and tangy flavor.

Ranch Pretzel Bites

Serve the pretzel bites with ranch or bleu cheese dressing for a savory, umami-rich pretzel experience.

Nacho Cheese Pretzel Bites

Coat the pretzel bites in nacho cheese sauce.

Peanut Butter or Chocolate Pretzel Bites

For a decadent treat, dip the pretzel bites in peanut butter or chocolate.

Frequently asked questions