Air Fryer Pretzel Bites (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the Dough
01 -
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
02 -
1 packet active dry yeast (about 2 ¼ teaspoons)
03 -
1 teaspoon sugar
04 -
¾ cup warm water (about 110°F)
05 -
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
06 -
1 teaspoon salt
→ For Boiling
07 -
4 cups water
08 -
1/4 cup baking soda
→ For the Topping
09 -
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
10 -
Coarse salt, to taste (for sprinkling)
# Instructions:
01 -
Mix your warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small bowl. Give it a gentle stir and then let it sit for about 5 minutes until it gets all foamy and bubbly. This means your yeast is alive and ready to work! If nothing happens, you might need to grab a fresh packet of yeast.
02 -
In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Pour in your frothy yeast mixture and the melted butter. Mix everything together until it starts clumping into dough. Use your hands to gather it into a ball - this is the fun part!
03 -
Sprinkle some flour on your counter and turn out your dough. Knead it for about 5 minutes until it feels smooth and stretchy. Pop the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it hang out in a warm spot for an hour until it doubles in size.
04 -
Once your dough has puffed up, punch it down to release the air bubbles. Roll it into a long rope about 18 inches long, then slice it into 1-inch pieces to create your pretzel bites.
05 -
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large pot and stir in the baking soda - it'll fizz up, so be careful! Drop in your pretzel bites a few at a time and let them swim for about 30 seconds until they float to the top. Fish them out with a slotted spoon and place them on a towel to dry off.
06 -
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F for about 3 minutes. Arrange your boiled pretzel bites in a single layer in the basket (you'll probably need to work in batches). Cook them for 6-8 minutes until they're beautifully golden brown and crispy on the outside but still soft inside.
07 -
As soon as those hot pretzel bites come out of the air fryer, brush them with melted butter and sprinkle them generously with coarse salt. The butter will soak in and the salt will stick perfectly while they're still hot.
# Notes:
01 -
These homemade pretzel bites have that classic chewy inside and crispy outside you love from mall pretzels, but they're so much fresher!
02 -
Don't skip the baking soda bath - it's what gives pretzels their distinctive flavor and beautiful brown color.
03 -
For sweet pretzel bites, skip the coarse salt and instead sprinkle with cinnamon sugar after brushing with butter.
04 -
Try adding garlic powder or onion powder to the salt for a savory twist.