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These Air Fryer Pretzel Bites are so easy to make and taste amazing! Chewy, soft, and perfectly salty, you’ll love this soft pretzel bites recipe.

a dish of pretzel bites topped with salt on a white board
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There’s nothing like the taste of fresh doughy pretzels – soft and chewy and topped with crunchy salt!

Just like my Air Fryer Ravioli, Easy Air Fryer PicklesFried Artichoke Hearts, and Air Fryer Zucchini Chips, this recipe takes something simple and turns it into a health(ier) appetizer or game-day snack. All thanks to the magical air fryer.

Air Fryer Pretzel Bites Ingredients

a bowl of flour, container of salt, yeast, egg, and other ingredients
  • Flour, some all-purpose is lovely!
  • Yeast – rapid rise/Instant
  • Sugar, just a little bit. You can also use honey.
  • Salt – sea salt for the dough, and pretzel salt for the top. Don’t have pretzel salt? You can use kosher salt or flaky sea salt like Maldon.
  • (optional) Egg or baking soda if you want to try one of the methods described below

If you have extra dough, try your hand at making these incredible Air Fryer Pretzel Dogs. They’re so good and freeze very easily!

How to Make Air Fryer Pretzel Bites

*I’ll walk you through it here with some photos and tips, and you’ll also find a printable recipe card at the bottom of the post with exact measurements, etc. You can also click “jump to recipe” to skip down.

This recipe uses instant yeast so that you’re not waiting for the yeast to proof. If you only have active yeast and not instant, I’ll walk you through how to use that in the recipe card.

Grab a medium mixing bowl and combine the water and yeast. Give it a stir and then add the flour, sugar, and sea salt. Stir it until it is mostly combined. A few shaggy bits of under-mixed dough is fine.

Lightly flour your hands and knead the dough by hand for 1 minute, bringing it into a ball. Divide the dough into eighths.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into ropes. With a floured knife, slice the dough into 1-inch pieces.

two photos showing how to make and roll dough.

Lightly brush the basket of the air fryer with olive oil (or use air fryer parchment). Place pretzel bites into the basket, giving them enough room to expand.

Cook for 6 minutes at 390˚F, or until lightly browned on top. If using the butter method, brush melted butter on top of hot pretzel bites and sprinkle with pretzel salt. See notes below for egg wash or baking soda bath options.

two photos showing the process of cooking pretzel dough.

Pretzel Bites – Three Ways

I tried three methods when cooking these – baking soda water bath, egg wash, and butter. All three turned out great with just slight differences in the flavor. You can see in the photo below that they all look super tasty!

Please note, the baking soda water bath is the only vegan option.

soft pretzel bites on a wooden tray with 3 labels - butter, baking soda, and egg wash

Option 1 – Egg Wash

Mix 1 egg with 1 tbsp of water. Brush over the dough balls and sprinkle with salt prior to cooking.

Option 2 – Butter

Probably the easiest option, simply brush melted butter over the bites once they’re done cooking and sprinkle with salt. It’s best to work in batches of 3-4 pretzels at a time so the salt sticks to the butter before it dries.

Option 3 – Baking Soda Bath (Vegan option)

Just like when making Homemade Pretzel Rolls, dipping the bites in 4 cups of boiling water mixed with 1/3 cup of baking soda will give them a perfectly chewy exterior.

But…I didn’t find the taste any better when doing this method and it took more time. And, dirtied an extra dish.

What to Serve With Soft Pretzel Bites

Besides mustard, Gluten-Free Cheese Sauce, or Greek Yogurt Ranch, these bites are amazing with some homemade Pub Cheese or this Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball. Want a sweet version of these bites? Check out these Cinnamon Pretzel Bites With Apple Syrup.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you cook pretzel bites in the air fryer?

We have found that 6 minutes is the sweet spot, but each air fryer will vary slightly.

Check on the bites at 6 minutes, and evaluate if you need to cook them a bit longer.

Can you freeze pretzel bites?

Yes! Place uncooked dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for ~3 hours. Transfer to freezer-safe storage for up to three months. We love and use these reusable silicone bags.

You do not need to thaw them prior to baking, and we found that even when frozen, you still only need 6 minutes of cooking time.

Can I use active yeast if I don’t have instant yeast?

Yep!

If you only have active yeast and not quick-rise/instant, allow the dough to rest for 15 minutes before rolling.

Can I use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour?

You can, but please note the pretzel bites will likely be a lot thicker once baked.

Bread flour has a higher concentration of gluten compared with all-purpose flour and results in “fluffier” baked goods.

Can I bake these in the oven if I don’t have an air fryer?

Yes! Bake at 425˚F on a parchment-lined sheet for 10-12 minutes.

Do I have to proof the dough? Why is there no rise time in this recipe?

There is no proofing or rise time as long as you use instant/rapid-rise yeast.

If you only have active yeast and not quick-rise, allow the dough to rest for 15 minutes before rolling.

Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

  • Every air fryer will be different and may need a slightly different cooking time. The bites will be done when the outsides are golden brown.
  • Your dough does not need to look perfect before cooking! It will puff up in the air fryer.
  • There is no need to flip halfway through cooking unless you desire.
a hand dipping a soft pretzel into a dish of mustard
5 from 33 ratings

Air Fryer Pretzel Bites {Soft Pretzel Bites}

Servings: 50 bites
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 6 minutes
Total: 21 minutes
a dish of pretzel bites topped with salt on a white board
These air fryer pretzel bites are so easy to make and taste amazing! Chewy, soft, and perfectly salty, you'll love this soft pretzel bites recipe.

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/2 cups water {~110˚F}
  • 2 1/4 tsp quick rise yeast {see notes for active dry yeast}
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar {or honey}
  • pretzel salt {optional}

{Optional} Baking Soda Bath

  • 4 cups water
  • 1/3 cup baking soda

{Optional} Egg Wash

  • 1 egg {beaten}
  • 1 tbsp water

{Optional} Butter topping

  • 3 tbsp butter {melted}

Instructions 

Make the Dough

  • In a medium mixing bowl combine the water and yeast. Stir.
    1 1/2 cups water, 2 1/4 tsp quick rise yeast
  • Add the flour, sugar, and sea salt and stir until it is mostly combined.
    4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp sea salt
  • Lightly flour your hands and knead the dough by hand for 1 minute, bringing it into a ball. Divide the dough into eighths.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into ropes.
  • With a floured knife, slice the dough into 1-inch pieces. (see notes below for optional egg wash or baking soda bath prior to cooking)
  • Lightly brush the basket of the air fryer with olive oil. Place pretzel bites into the basket, giving them enough room to expand.
  • Cook for 6 minutes at 390˚F, or until lightly browned on top.
    3 tbsp butter, pretzel salt
  • If using the butter method, brush melted butter on top of hot pretzel bites and sprinkle with pretzel salt. See notes below for egg wash or baking soda bath options.

Notes

  1. If you only have active yeast and not instant/quick-rise, allow the dough to rest for 15 minutes before rolling.
  2. {Optional} Egg wash – beat 1 egg and 1 tbsp of water in a small bowl. Brush on top of pretzel bites and sprinkle with pretzel salt BEFORE baking in the air fryer.
  3. {Optional} Baking soda bath – In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil. Carefully add baking soda (you may get some foaming action) and carefully place 10 pretzel bites at a time into the water for 30 seconds.
    1. Using a slotted spoon, remove the dough balls from the water and place on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with pretzel salt. Repeat with the rest of the bites until they have all been boiled. Then bake in the air fryer for 6 minutes at 390˚F.
  4. Oven-baking – bake at 425˚F on a parchment-lined sheet for 10-12 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 8bitesCalories: 37kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 47mgPotassium: 11mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 2mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @sustainablecooks or tag #sustainablecooks!

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About Sarah

Helping you serve up budget-friendly sustainable recipes with a side of balanced living.
Come for the food. Stay for the snark.

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62 Comments

  1. Tried and failed. I used active yeast, left for 15 minutes to rise and used my Phillips airfryer at 160 celcius for 20mins!!! Still not cooked inside and didnt puff up either. What did I do wrong??!!!

    1. Hi Bee, when was the last time you used the yeast? When my bread goods won’t rise, I typically look at two things 1) age of the yeast 2) temp of the water. If the yeast was old or the water TOO hot, you have “dead” yeast.

      I had to google it, but 160 C is only 320 F. This recipe calls for 390 F, so, it looks like that would be 198 C (so maybe 200?).

  2. So good!! I made the melted butter on top version but think I’ll try the baking soda next time, just as a test. These were so easy to make. I froze half the dough for later. You can’t go wrong with fresh pretzel bites to pregame for Sunday Night Football and the Seahawks. 5 stars

    1. I know everyone has a different favorite method, so I can’t wait to hear what you think of the baking soda bath!

      Man, that ending of the Seahawks game was heart-breaking.

  3. I’m making these for an Oktoberfest party for everyone to snack on while I finish cooking the rest of the meal (I’m never ready when they arrive). I made them today (beforehand) to try them out and they are AMAZING!!! I am going to really impress my friends!5 stars

    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed them. And I have to say, I love a planner, so bravo to you for testing out a recipe now to use in a few weeks!

    1. A friend did it but needed to add a bit more water to make the dough workable. She was unable to roll the dough to make ropes, but she could free form the dough balls. Her preference was to do the baking soda bath with them.

  4. These are amazing and super easy to make! I have a small air fryer and was still done in less than an hour. My kids like them better with the water method but I like them best when they’re in my tummy! Thank you for adapting your already delicious pretzel rolls! 5 stars

  5. If I freeze them. How would I do the baking soda step? Can I do that frozen? Fresh, I prefer the flavor and softness of the baking soda step. They were great thanks!!!5 stars

    1. I haven’t tried that, but I *think* if you defrost them fully you should be able to do the baking soda bath. If you try it please let me know how it works out and I’ll update the notes.

      1. I thawed them and it worked!!! I froze them on a platter and stored in a ziplock. Today I thawed them in the fridge. I did the baking soda method and cooked them in the air fryer. They were perfect!!Thanks so much!5 stars

  6. I absolutely love this recipe! I look for any excuse to make them. They make a dull meal fun. I have to make a half batch because they are too yummy to last.5 stars

  7. Yum! I made these for a Super Bowl snack last night. I just made half a batch and I regret it because they were awesome. I loved how chewy they were and how quickly they came together. I suspect that I will make these again soon as a side to soup.5 stars

    1. I’ve never had them with soup; you’re a freaking genius, Louisa!

      If you do make a full batch next time, you can freeze the unbaked bites for future meals. We had them yesterday and I just popped them into the air fryer for 6 minutes.

  8. I have been eyeing these off for awhile now and finally made them for superbowl today. Both my husband and I love them! We didn’t have pretzel salt but some fine seat salt did the trick. I’m so glad I have a bunch left in the freezer now because I’d be lying if I said I’m already dreaming about the next time I try them!5 stars

    1. So glad you and Adam liked them! Pretzel salt makes a fun difference but sea salt works in a pinch. Get it…in a pinch (of salt)?