Pretzel Bites in the Air Fryer

Introduction

Few snacks deliver the irresistible combination of a crisp, golden crust and soft, pillowy center quite like pretzel bites—especially when made effortlessly in the air fryer. These bite-sized delights are perfect for parties, game nights, or whenever you crave a warm, salty treat without the fuss of deep frying or turning on the oven.

Deliciously Unique Pretzel Bites

Air frying transforms homemade pretzel bites into a snack with a perfectly chewy interior and a satisfying crunch on the outside—minus the excess oil. Sprinkled with coarse salt and served with your favorite dipping sauce, these pretzel bites are guaranteed crowd pleasers that are easier and quicker to make than traditional versions.

Preparing the Dough for Perfect Pretzel Bites

The secret to great pretzel bites starts in the dough. Using simple pantry staples, you’ll mix and knead just until smooth, then let it rise until doubled in size for that classic pretzel texture. A quick dip in a baking soda solution gives each bite that iconic pretzel flavor and beautiful brown color once air fried.

Air Frying Your Pretzel Bites

After shaping your dough into bite-sized pieces and boiling briefly in the baking soda bath, arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket. This cooking method ensures all sides of your pretzel bites get perfectly crisp and golden with no flipping required. A final brush of butter and sprinkle of salt rounds out this indulgent snack.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping Pretzel Bites

These pretzel bites are delicious straight from the air fryer, but dipping them in warm cheese sauce, honey mustard, or even your favorite spicy dip takes them to the next level. They also make a fantastic addition to cheese boards and party platters.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 dozen pretzel bites, ideal for sharing. Each serving (about 8 bites) contains roughly 170-200 calories, making them a satisfying yet lighter snack option when compared to typical fried fare.

Deliciously Unique Pretzel Bites (Recap)

With their crispy outsides and tender insides, air fryer pretzel bites bring the beloved flavors and textures of classic soft pretzels in an easy, quick-to-make form. Serve them at your next gathering, and watch how quickly they disappear!

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning!

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 3-5 minutes until foamy.
2. Add melted butter and salt. Stir in flour, 1 cup at a time, until a dough forms.
3. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 3-5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Return to bowl, cover, and let rise for 30-40 minutes or until doubled.
4. While dough is rising, bring 8 cups water and baking soda to a boil in a large pot.
5. Punch down dough and divide into 4 pieces. Roll each into a 12-inch rope and cut into 1-inch bites.
6. Drop dough bites a few at a time into the baking soda bath for 20-30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and arrange in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray.
7. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F. Arrange bites in the basket, leaving space between each. Air fry batches for 6–8 minutes or until golden brown, shaking halfway through.
8. Brush warm pretzel bites with melted butter and sprinkle generously with coarse salt. Serve with dipping sauce if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This pretzel bite recipe is a fantastic addition to any meal plan—perfect for parties, after-school snacks, or simple comfort food. Save and schedule this recipe in your weekly meal planner to get a smart shopping list that consolidates all your ingredients and organizes them by grocery store section.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient amounts, even when planning multiple recipes for the week
• Generates tidy, store-sectioned shopping lists to streamline grocery trips
• Reduces food waste by factoring in ingredient overlap
• Makes weekly meal prep more efficient and less stressful

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes to see all overlapping ingredients (like yeast or butter), ensuring you buy just the right amount for all your weekly meals—no overbuying, no forgotten items!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes per batch
Total Time: 50 minutes