Air Fryer Frozen Pretzel Bites: Quick, Crispy, Delicious!

Making frozen pretzel bites in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to create a tasty snack. It's a simple process that doesn't require any special equipment and can be done in just a few minutes. The bites will be warm on the inside and crispy on the outside.

To make frozen pretzel bites in an air fryer, first, preheat the air fryer to around 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While you wait, brush the frozen pretzel bites with a little water and sprinkle with coarse salt. When the air fryer is hot, place the bites inside, ensuring they don't touch so that they heat evenly. Air fry for 3-6 minutes until they are fully heated through.

Frozen pretzel bites are best enjoyed fresh, but any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature and reheated in the air fryer when needed.

How to make the pretzel bites dough

Making the pretzel bites dough is easy and doesn't require any special equipment. You can use a stand mixer or a simple bowl and spatula. The dough only requires five simple ingredients: all-purpose flour, warm water, salt, sugar, and instant or rapid-rise yeast.

If you are using active dry yeast instead of instant yeast, you will need to bloom it before mixing it into your dough. To do this, place the yeast into a small bowl with about two tablespoons of warm water and one teaspoon of sugar. Mix and let it sit for about five minutes, or until it becomes foamy and increases in volume.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the yeast, sugar, flour, and salt. If you are using honey instead of sugar, mix the flour and yeast first, so your yeast doesn't clump. Stir all the dry ingredients together.

Add half a cup of warm water to the flour mixture and stir. The mixture will be dry and crumbly, but it is important to add the water slowly so you can see how much your flour needs to form a dough ball. Add another two tablespoons of water and mix again. You should start to see the dough become sticky. You want the dough to be well-hydrated and sticky to boost yeast activity and give your pretzels a nice texture.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it sit for about five minutes while you prepare the baking soda bath.

Sprinkle about one to two tablespoons of flour on your work surface and place the sticky dough on top. Sprinkle about half a tablespoon of flour on top of the dough, so it doesn't stick to your hands.

Knead the dough by folding it in half and pressing with the palm of your hands while pushing it away from you. Repeat this process three to four times, or until the flour is incorporated and you have a smooth dough ball that is tacky to the touch. Cut the dough in half and then cut each half into four equal sections.

Take one piece of dough and roll it into a long rope about 12-14 inches long and with a diameter slightly less than a dime. It is helpful if the dough is slightly tacky, but if it is sticking too much, you can sprinkle a tiny amount of flour over the top.

Cut the rope into sections about one and a quarter inches long. Repeat this process for the remaining dough balls.

To summarise, here is a list of the ingredients and equipment you will need:

• All-purpose flour
• Warm water
• Salt
• Sugar or honey
• Instant or rapid-rise yeast
• A medium-sized mixing bowl
• Plastic wrap
• A work surface
• A pastry mat or large flat work surface

How to shape the pretzel bites

Shaping pretzel bites is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow. Here's a detailed guide on how to shape your pretzel bites:

Knead the Dough:

Start by sprinkling some flour on a clean and dry work surface. Take your prepared pretzel dough and place it on the floured surface. Sprinkle a small amount of flour on top of the dough as well. This step will help prevent the dough from sticking to your hands as you work with it. Knead the dough by folding it in half and then pressing it with the palms of your hands while pushing away from you. Repeat this process a few times until the flour is fully incorporated, and you have a smooth and tacky dough ball.

Divide and Roll the Dough:

Cut the dough into smaller portions to make it more manageable. Take one portion and roll it into a long rope. Aim for a length of about 12-14 inches, and the diameter should be slightly less than a dime. The dough should be slightly tacky, but if it's sticking too much, you can sprinkle a tiny amount of flour over it.

Cut the Pretzel Bites:

Using a floured knife, cut the rope into small pieces about 1¼ inch long. Each rope should yield several bite-sized pieces. Repeat this process for the remaining portions of dough until you have the desired number of pretzel bites.

Boil in Baking Soda Bath (Optional):

Some recipes suggest dipping the pretzel bites in a baking soda bath to achieve the classic pretzel flavour, texture, and colour. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add baking soda, stirring well. Carefully drop the pretzel bites into the boiling water and cook for 30-60 seconds, or until they float to the top. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water and place them on a cooling rack to dry.

Shape and Roll:

If you want to give your pretzel bites a more traditional pretzel shape, you can roll them into a pretzel shape after boiling. Take a piece of dough and roll it into a rope, then form it into a pretzel shape by creating a loop and crossing the ends over each other. You can seal the ends by brushing them with a bit of water or an egg wash.

Now you have perfectly shaped pretzel bites that are ready for the next step, whether that's air frying, baking, or freezing for later!

How to cook the pretzel bites in the air fryer

Ingredients:

• Frozen pretzel bites
• Coarse salt
• Water
• Butter (optional)
• Mustard (optional)
• Cheese sauce (optional)
• Ranch (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Note that this step is optional, but if you choose not to preheat, you should add a minute or so to the cooking time.
• While you wait, brush the frozen pretzel bites with a little bit of water.
• Sprinkle coarse salt on top.
• Place the pretzel bites into the air fryer tray, ensuring they don'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 to ensure the outside doesn't get too dark. The exact cooking time will depend 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!

Tips:

• The exact cook time may vary depending on your air fryer and the brand of pretzel bites you are using.
• Keep an eye on the pretzel bites towards the end of the cooking time, as they can go from perfectly browned to too dark very quickly.
• You don't need to thaw the frozen pretzel bites or spray them with oil before placing them into the air fryer.
• If you want to add coarse salt, brush the frozen pretzel bites with a little bit of water first so that the salt sticks to the bites and doesn't fly around in the air fryer.

How to store and reheat the pretzel bites

Storing and reheating your pretzel bites correctly is essential to preserving their taste and texture. Here is a detailed guide:

Storing Pretzel Bites:

If you have any leftover pretzel bites, it is best to consume them fresh as they taste the best when freshly made. However, if you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-5 days. They can be kept in a container or a paper bag.

For longer-term storage, you can freeze the pretzel bites. First, let them cool completely, then place them on a baking sheet, ensuring they don't touch, and freeze for about an hour. This step is crucial to prevent them from sticking together. After that, transfer the frozen bites into freezer bags or containers and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating Pretzel Bites:

When you're ready to enjoy your frozen pretzel bites, there are a few ways to reheat them:

• Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 300°F (150°C). Place the frozen pretzel bites inside, ensuring they don't touch, and air fry for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
• Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Drizzle a small amount of water over the pretzel bites to moisten them (but not make them soggy). Wrap them in aluminium foil and place them in the oven for 5-7 minutes. For a crispier exterior, omit the foil and place the bites directly on the middle rack of the oven.
• Microwave: Place the pretzel bites on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 15-second intervals, checking each time to see if they're warm enough.

To enhance the taste and texture, brush the warmed pretzel bites with melted butter before serving.

What to serve with the pretzel bites

Now that you've made your pretzel bites, it's time to think about what to serve with them. Here are some ideas:

Dips

• Butter - Melted butter is a classic dip for pretzel bites.
• Mustard - Try spicy brown mustard or grainy Dijon.
• Honey Mustard - Make your own by mixing mustard with honey.
• Cheese Sauce - A rich, gooey, creamy cheese sauce is the perfect dip for pretzel bites. You can make it with real cheddar cheese, and it stays liquid at room temperature.
• Pretzel Cheese Dip - Try a mustard, nacho, or horseradish cheese sauce.

Other Foods

• Air Fryer Snacks - Try air fryer snacks like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, plantain chips, croutons, mac and cheese balls, pita chips, or frozen pretzel bites.
• Broccoli Cheddar Soup - This pairs well with pretzel bites and cheese sauce.

Drinks

Wine - Pour yourself a glass of wine to go with your pretzel bites!

Frequently asked questions