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Air Fryer Pretzel Bites

Featured in: Perfect Starters and Savory Bites

Bring those mall stand pretzel bites right to your own spot without much fuss or oil. You only need a few kitchen staples for dough that rises quickly, then you shape them small. Dunk dough in baking soda water before air frying for that real-deal tang and golden color. Six to eight minutes in the air fryer is all it takes until they’re soft inside, brown outside, and just right for melted butter and salt. Switch up toppings however you want—they’re a crowd-pleaser for parties, movies, or whenever the munchies hit.
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By Chloe Chloe
Updated on Wed, 21 May 2025 15:51:01 GMT
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Air Fryer Pretzel Bites Dish | cookitdelish.com

Picture chewy, bite-sized pretzel nuggets with a crisp crust that’ll leave you wanting more. The air fryer works magic on the basic dough, giving you tasty, golden morsels with way less fuss (and not drenched in oil like deep-fried ones). That classic pretzel chew and taste comes from a super quick dip in baking soda water before air frying. You get all the awesome flavor and texture—no huge cleanup.

This all started when I needed a snack that’d make a bunch of teenagers happy at my son’s birthday. Regular pretzels seemed like too much work with a houseful. These little bites were way easier, and they vanished instantly! I even had parents texting me because nobody believed you could get mall-style pretzels in the air fryer.

Irresistible Ingredients

  • Baking soda: Main player for the bath that gives classic pretzel color and taste
  • Coarse salt: Sprinkles on top for that signature salty kick
  • Fine salt: Mixed into the dough for balance
  • Unsalted butter: Melted and worked in for softness
  • Warm water: Just warm enough to help the yeast get started and bring the dough together
  • Granulated sugar: Gives the yeast a little boost and adds a hint of sweetness
  • Active dry yeast: What makes the dough rise and gives pretzels their airy, chewy bite
  • All-purpose flour: The starting point for building everything

Simple Directions

Finishing Touches:
Brush some melted butter over the warm bites, toss a little coarse salt, and let ‘em cool just a minute.
Air Frying Process:
Crank your air fryer to 375°F. Lay out the boiled dough chunks so they’re not touching. Let them cook for 6–8 minutes till deep golden and crispy.
Baking Soda Bath:
Boil a pot of water and carefully add baking soda. Drop in a handful of bites at a time; scoop them out after 30 seconds and let them drip off excess water.
Shaping Method:
Split the dough into four even pieces. Roll each into a rope about 18 inches long, cut into little one-inch nuggets, and leave them to rest for ten minutes.
Kneading Process:
Knead the dough on a floured board for about five minutes till smooth. Wrap it up in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise for an hour.
Dough Preparation:
Mix warm water with sugar, then sprinkle on the yeast and wait five minutes. In a separate bowl, toss the flour and fine salt, add the yeast mixture with melted butter, and stir till it comes together and looks a bit shaggy.
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Easy Air Fryer Pretzel Bites How-To | cookitdelish.com

We have a blast dipping these in all kinds of sauces. My kids go for cheese every time, and my husband likes his spicy mustard. Personally, I’m all about cinnamon honey butter for something sweet and salty at the same time.

Favorite Dips

Dunk these pretzel bites in creamy beer cheese, thick honey butter, or stone-ground mustard. If you want to go sweet, try dipping in caramel, vanilla cream cheese, or rich chocolate sauce.

Tasty Twists

Swap out the salt for everything bagel seasoning for a bold twist. For a savory treat, brush bites with garlic butter then toss on Parmesan. Or, after air frying, roll them all in cinnamon sugar if your sweet tooth is calling.

Best Ways to Store

Keep extra bites sealed up tight at room temp for two days. Need to bring back the crunch? Zap ‘em in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes and they’ll taste just-made.

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Delicious Air Fryer Pretzel Bites Close-Up | cookitdelish.com

After years of twisting classic pretzels, the air fryer totally changed the game for me. No huge clean up or waiting a lifetime for dough to rise. I make these bites all the time now—friends who swear by old-school pretzels can’t believe how good these are!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is it OK to make the dough ahead of time?
Sure thing! Whip up the dough the day before and chill it in the fridge—give it half an hour to warm up before shaping.
→ Why bother with the baking soda bath?
That quick soak is what makes pretzels taste and feel like pretzels—chewy, brown, and flavorful. Don’t leave it out!
→ Can these pretzel bites go in the freezer?
Yep, just let them cool off after air frying, tuck them into a freezer bag, and they’ll stay good for three months. Heat them back up in the air fryer for a few minutes.
→ Any good dips for these bites?
Oh yes—dip in cheese sauce, honey mustard, cream cheese, or even go sweet with caramel or chocolate.
→ How about making them without an air fryer?
No problem—pop them in the oven at 425°F for about 12-15 minutes till golden brown. They won’t get quite as crisp but they’re still great.

Air Fryer Pretzel Bites

You’ll love these puffed-up air fryer pretzel bites. A crisp shell hugs a pillowy middle, giving you that fresh-from-the-oven taste, all in snack-size pieces.

Prep Time
75 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
85 Minutes
By Chloe: Chloe


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American-German

Yield: 6 Servings (30-35 small bites)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Making the Dough

01 1 teaspoon salt
02 2 ½ cups plain flour (plus some extra for sprinkling)
03 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
04 1 teaspoon sugar
05 ¾ cup warm water (at around 110°F)
06 1 packet of dry yeast (approx. 2 ¼ teaspoons)

→ Boiling Liquid

07 1/4 cup baking soda
08 4 cups of water

→ Topping It Off

09 Coarse salt for sprinkling (as much as you like)
10 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter (for brushing)

Instructions

Step 01

Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast in a small container. Stir lightly and allow it to sit for 5 minutes until the surface is foamy and bubbly, signaling the yeast is active. If the mixture doesn't foam up, start over with fresh yeast.

Step 02

Put your salt and flour into a big bowl and mix them. Pour in the foamy yeast mix and melted butter. Stir until the mixture starts forming a doughy lump. Use your hands to gather it into one smooth ball—it’s a bit messy but worth it!

Step 03

Dust your counter with flour and knead the dough for 5 minutes until it feels elastic and smooth. Transfer it to a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rest somewhere warm for about an hour until it swells up to about twice its size.

Step 04

After the dough rises, gently punch it down to release gas. Roll it into an 18-inch rope and slice into segments about an inch wide to create small, bite-sized pieces.

Step 05

Boil 4 cups of water in a pot and stir in the baking soda—it will bubble up, so stir gently! Drop a few dough pieces in for 30 seconds or until they float up. Scoop them out with your slotted spoon and let them drain on a towel.

Step 06

Preheat your air fryer for 3 minutes at 375°F. Line your pretzel bites in one layer, batch by batch, in the basket. Cook each batch for 6-8 minutes or until they're golden and crisp on the outside, yet soft when you bite in.

Step 07

Brush the freshly cooked pretzel bites, right out of the air fryer, with melted butter. Sprinkle coarse salt over the top while they’re still hot so it sticks perfectly.

Notes

  1. These pretzel bites have a chewy center and a crispy outside, just like your favorite mall pretzels but better because they're homemade!
  2. The baking soda water bath is key. It helps the pretzels get their distinctive rich brown color and classic taste.
  3. Want a sweet version? Swap out the salt and sprinkle cinnamon sugar over butter-brushed bites for a dessert vibe.
  4. For more flavor, try mixing garlic or onion powder into the salt topping!

Tools You'll Need

  • An air fryer
  • A big mixing bowl
  • A deep pot for boiling
  • A spoon with slots
  • A pastry brush for butter
  • Clean kitchen towel
  • Sharp knife or dough cutter

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes gluten (from the flour)
  • Contains dairy (from butter)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 165
  • Total Fat: 4 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 27 g
  • Protein: 4 g