Emilie Meyer
Air Fryer Pretzel Bites are a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth snack that is crispy on the outside, and soft, chewy, and buttery on the inside. They are easy to make and can be prepared in under 10 minutes, making them a perfect snack for game day or any celebration. The bites are cooked in an air fryer, which gives them a classic pretzel flavour and a golden brown exterior. The dough can be made with simple ingredients such as flour, sugar, salt, and yeast, and the bites can be served with various dips and toppings, including mustard, cheese sauce, and cinnamon sugar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 7-10 minutes |
| Temperature | 350-400°F |
| Dough preparation | Mix flour, sugar, salt, and yeast with water |
| Dough resting time | 15 minutes |
| Dough shaping | Roll dough into ropes, cut into pieces, and roll into balls |
| Baking soda bath | Dip pretzel bites in a baking soda and water mixture |
| Oil | Lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil |
| Cooking time | 6-8 minutes or until golden brown |
| Toppings | Butter, salt, mustard, cheese, or cinnamon sugar |
| Storage | Freeze in a freezer bag for up to three months |
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What You'll Learn
How to make the dough for pretzel bites
To make the dough for pretzel bites, you can either make it from scratch or use store-bought pizza dough.
If you want to make the dough from scratch, you will need: 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) of warm water (around 100°F or 38°C), 2 and 1/4 teaspoons (7g) of instant or active dry yeast (1 standard packet), 3 and 3/4 to 4 cups (469-500g) of all-purpose flour (plus more for your hands and work surface), sugar, and butter.
First, whisk together the warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle or dough hook attachment. If you don't have a stand mixer, you can use a regular mixing bowl and a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. Once the dough is mixed, knead it and divide it into 6 sections. Then, roll each piece of dough into a 20-inch rope. If the dough keeps shrinking and stretching, cover it and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow the gluten to relax before continuing to roll it out.
For those who prefer to use store-bought pizza dough, you can find it in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. Any brand of pizza crust dough will work, but some people prefer the Pillsbury brand for its texture and taste.
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Air fryer temperature and timing
The temperature and timing for cooking pretzel bites in an air fryer will vary depending on the brand and style of air fryer used, as well as the method of preparation.
For pretzel bites that have been boiled in a baking soda bath and frozen, preheat the air fryer to 400℉/200℃ for 5-10 minutes. Then, place the frozen pretzel bites in the basket in a single layer and air fry at 300℉/150℃ for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
If you are cooking the pretzel bites immediately after preparing them, preheat the air fryer to 390°F/200°C for 5 minutes. Then, place the pretzel bites in the basket, giving them enough room to expand, and air fry for 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the brand and style of air fryer used. Some sources suggest cooking the pretzel bites for 7 minutes at 400°F, while others recommend baking for 3 minutes at 390°F, flipping them over, and then baking for an additional 4 minutes.
Additionally, if you are warming up pretzel bites that have already been cooked, preheat the air fryer to 400℉/200℃ for 5-10 minutes. Place the pretzel bites in the basket and reduce the temperature to 300℉/150℃. Air fry for 2-3 minutes or until warmed through.
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How to make pretzel bites in an oven
To make pretzel bites in an oven, start by preheating your oven to 400°F. While the oven is preheating, prepare your dough. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of warm water and 1 tablespoon of sugar. You can substitute honey for sugar if you prefer, but be sure to mix the flour and yeast together before adding the honey to prevent clumping. Once the sugar is dissolved, scatter 2¼ teaspoons of instant yeast over the top and briefly mix with a spoon. Allow the yeast to sit for 4-5 minutes until it becomes active and frothy. Next, add 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of fine grind sea salt or kosher salt to the bowl and mix until a thick dough forms. If you are using active yeast instead of instant yeast, allow the dough to rest for 15 minutes before rolling.
Once your dough is ready, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead until it comes together. Roll the dough into ropes about 3/4 inch thick, then cut each rope into three 5-inch pieces. Roll each piece into a small ball. If you have extra dough, you can try making air fryer pretzel dogs or freezing it for later use.
To cook the pretzel bites, bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1/3 cup of baking soda. Carefully drop the dough balls into the boiling water and cook until they float to the top. Remove the dough balls with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. If you want to prep the pretzel bites ahead of time, you can freeze them at this stage and cook them later.
Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until they are golden brown. For an extra buttery flavor, brush the baked pretzel bites with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt or sea salt. These pretzel bites are best enjoyed fresh, but you can also freeze them for up to three months and reheat them in the oven or air fryer when you're ready to serve them.
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How to make pretzel bites ahead of time and store them
To make pretzel bites ahead of time and store them, you can follow these steps:
First, prepare the pretzel bites as you normally would, boiling them in a baking soda bath for 20-30 seconds. Any longer than this and they may develop a metallic taste. Remove them from the water and allow any excess to drip off before placing them on a prepared baking sheet.
If you are not going to enjoy them immediately, omit the step of sprinkling them with salt. Instead, wait until you are ready to serve them, and then sprinkle with coarse salt.
Next, you will need to cool the pretzel bites completely. This is important, as it will help prevent condensation and sogginess when they are stored. Once they are fully cooled, place them in an airtight container or zip-top bag. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to serve the pretzel bites, you can reheat them in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 300-400℉/150-200℃ for 5-10 minutes. If you are cooking from frozen, you may need the longer preheat time. Place the pretzel bites in the basket, leaving space for them to expand. Brush them with melted butter and cook for 6-7 minutes at 390-400℉/150℃, or until lightly browned on top.
Once they are warmed through, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a plate. Brush them with any remaining butter and sprinkle with pretzel salt. Enjoy!
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Dips and toppings to serve with pretzel bites
Soft pretzel bites are a versatile snack, and there are endless possibilities for toppings and dips. Here are some ideas for dips and toppings to serve with your air-fried pretzel bites:
Toppings
- Cinnamon sugar: Combine granulated sugar and ground cinnamon, then dip or brush the pretzel bites with melted butter before coating them in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Coarse salt: Sprinkle coarse salt on the pretzel bites while they are still wet from the baking soda bath before baking. This ensures the salt sticks to the pretzels.
- Everything bagel seasoning: Sprinkle this seasoning on the pretzels while they are still wet.
Dips
- Mustard: A classic choice, especially during Oktoberfest. You can use yellow mustard, Dijon, or whole grain mustard for extra flavour.
- Cheese: Soft pretzel bites pair well with a rich, warm cheese dip. You can make this with milk, butter, flour, and cheese, and season it with salt and pepper.
- Marinara sauce: A tomato-based sauce with tanginess and herbaceous notes can provide a refreshing contrast to the saltiness of the pretzel bites.
- Ranch dressing: This creamy dip with subtle herbaceous flavours can enhance the taste of pretzel bites and is an excellent choice for those who prefer milder dips.
- Obatzda (German beer cheese dip): This creamy dip can be made with any type of beer, including non-alcoholic.
- Spinach and artichoke dip: This savoury dip can be served on the side or stuffed inside a giant soft pretzel.
- Chocolate hazelnut dip: A sweet dip like this can be a nice contrast to the saltiness of pretzels.
These are just a few ideas, but feel free to experiment with different toppings and dips to find your favourite combinations!
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Frequently asked questions
It takes between 6 to 10 minutes to cook pretzel bites in an air fryer. However, the timing depends on the brand and style of the air fryer.
You should set the temperature of your air fryer between 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
To make pretzel bites from scratch, mix flour, butter, warm water, and yeast to make the dough. Roll the dough into ropes, cut them into pieces, and roll each piece into a small ball. Boil the dough balls in baking soda water and transfer them to the air fryer basket. Air fry until golden brown and cooked through.
