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
If you only have active yeast and not instant/quick-rise, allow the dough to rest for 15 minutes before rolling.
{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.
{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.
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.
Oven-baking - bake at 425˚F on a parchment-lined sheet for 10-12 minutes.