Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You get that authentic pretzel texture (soft inside, slightly crisp outside) without needing a full oven or deep frying.
The air fryer speeds up the process and keeps things cleaner.
You can easily adjust size, flavor (salted, buttery, cinnamon, etc.), and toppings.
They’re fun for gatherings, movie nights, snacks, or appetizer spreads.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the pretzel dough

Warm water
Yeast (instant/rapid rise or active dry)
Sugar (or honey)
Salt
All-purpose flour
Butter (melted)

For finishing / optional steps

Baking soda (for a baking soda bath)
Egg + water (for egg wash)
Melted butter (for brushing)
Coarse salt or pretzel salt (for sprinkling)

Directions

Make the dough
Combine warm water and yeast. When activated (if using active yeast), mix in sugar (or honey), salt, and flour. Add melted butter. Knead until you have a smooth, slightly elastic dough.
Rest / ferment (if required)
Depending on the yeast type and recipe variation, let the dough rest or rise slightly. Some “instant yeast / no proofing” versions skip a long rise.
Shape into bites
Divide the dough into portions (e.g. 8 pieces), roll into ropes, and then cut into bite-sized pieces (e.g. 1-inch segments).
(Optional) Baking soda bath
For that classic chewy pretzel flavor, you can dip the dough bites in a boiling water + baking soda bath (e.g. 30 seconds) before air frying.
Preheat air fryer & prepare basket
Preheat your air fryer (typical temps 350-390 °F / 175-200 °C). Lightly oil or line the basket (or use parchment/silicone liner).
Place the pretzel bites in a single layer (don’t overcrowd). Cook for a few minutes (e.g. 3–4 min), then flip and cook additional minutes until they turn golden brown.Finish & salt
Once cooked, brush with melted butter and sprinkle coarse salt or pretzel salt while still warm.
Serve warm
Serve immediately with your favorite dips (mustard, cheese sauce, etc.).

Servings and timing

Servings: yields ~30–50 pretzel bites (depending on size) Prep time: ~10–15 minutes (plus optional dough rest)
Cook time: ~5–8 minutes (in batches)
Total time: ~15–25 minutes (or more if resting dough)

Variations

Two-ingredient version: Use Greek yogurt + self-risin
Sweet version: After cooking, brush with butter and roll in cinnamon sugar. Spiced / flavored: Mix herbs, garlic powder, or spice into dough or sprinkle after baking.
Vegan / egg-free: Use vegan butter and skip egg wash; rely on baking soda bath for color.
Frozen / make-ahead: After forming and (optionally) boiling, freeze the bites on a tray, then air fry from frozen.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Let bites cool completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days. Excess moisture will make them softer.
Freezing: Freeze cooked or pre-cooked (post-boiling) bites; store in freezer bag for up to 2–3 months.
Reheating: Reheat in air fryer at ~ 300-325 °F / 150-165 °C for a few minutes until warmed and crisp again.

FAQs

What’s the point of a baking soda bath?

It gives pretzels their characteristic chewy crust and helps browning.

Yes—you’ll still get pretzel bites, but they may lack some of the chew and deep crust flavor. Some recipes omit it.

Do I need to flip the bites during cooking?

Yes—most recipes recommend flipping mid-cook to ensure even browning.

Can I use store-bought dough instead of making from scratch?

Yes—you can adapt refrigerated pizza dough or pretzel dough to this method. Also, canned biscuit dough has been used in air fryer pretzel bites recipes.

What temperature should the air fryer be?

Common ranges are 350-390 °F (175-200 °C). Many use ~ 350 °F for cooking bites.

How do I make the salt stick?

Brush with butter or egg wash (or melt butter) while warm, then sprinkle coarse salt so it adheres.

Will my pretzel bites stay crisp?

They’re best served fresh. Stored ones may soften; reheating in the air fryer can help restore some crispness.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes—but prepare and cook in batches so your air fryer isn’t overcrowded.

What dips go well?

Mustard (yellow, grainy, honey mustard), cheese sauce, beer cheese, ranch, etc.

Can I make full pretzels instead of bites?

Yes—you can scale this method for larger pretzels, adjusting shapes and cooking time.

Conclusion

Air Fryer Pretzel Bites are a fantastic snack that combines the satisfaction of homemade bread with the convenience of your air fryer. With just a few ingredients and simple steps—especially if you use instant yeast or shortcut dough methods—you can whip up a batch in no time. Whether you go classic salted, sweet cinnamon, or herbed variations, feel free to experiment with dips and toppings. Let me know if you’d like a printable version with precise measurements!

Air Fryer Pretzel Bites

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Soft and chewy Air Fryer Pretzel Bites — golden on the outside, tender on the inside, and made conveniently in your air fryer. Perfect for dipping in mustard or warm cheese sauce, these bite-sized treats are a fun, shareable snack.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6–8 minutes
Total Time: 20–25 minutes
Yield: 30–50 pretzel bites
Category: Snack, Appetizer
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

In a bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand a few minutes until foamy (if using active dry yeast).
Stir in salt, melted butter, and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms, then knead 3–5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Let dough rest for 10–15 minutes (optional) while preheating the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
Divide dough into 8 portions, roll each into a rope, and cut into 1-inch pieces.
Optional: Boil the bites for 30 seconds in a baking soda bath, then drain on a towel.
Lightly brush or spray the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange pretzel bites in a single layer.
Air fry for 3–4 minutes, flip, then cook another 2–3 minutes until golden brown.
Brush warm bites with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt. Serve immediately with dips like mustard or cheese sauce.

Notes

For a quick version, use Greek yogurt + self-rising flour (2-ingredient dough).
Skip the baking soda bath for a faster process—bites will still taste great.
For sweet bites, brush with butter and coat in cinnamon sugar after cooking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Reheat in the air fryer at 325°F (160°C) for 2–4 minutes to restore texture.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 5 bites
Calories: 130
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 330mg
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 25mg