Air Fryer Pretzel Bites

For a great-tasting snack in minutes you have to try my Air Fryer Pretzel Bites, crispy on the outside with the perfect chewy texture in the center that you expect from a pretzel. Serve hot from the air fryer with a bowl of your favorite dipping sauce, for me that has to be mustard or cheese.

 

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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

For ease I make my air fryer pretzel bites with pizza dough, a ready made pizza dough will work just fine. Once cooked in the boiling water and baking soda to puff the dough balls up, I brush with egg wash and sprinkle over some pretzel salt. The salt is entirely optional and you can leave it off if you prefer.

My Air Fried Pretzel Bites are the perfect party or games night snack. Serve up a bowl of these pillowy balls of dough with a side of dip and watch them disappear.

If you like to use your air fryer to make quick snacks and appetizers, then try my recipes for Air Fried Macaroni Cheese Balls, Air Fryer Crab Cakes, or my Air Fryer Cauliflower Wings with Buffalo Sauce.

Ingredients

Here's what you will need to make the best air fryer pretzel bites:

• Dough - for ease, I use ¾ pound of ready-made pizza dough, you can make your own pizza dough if you prefer.
• Water - I cook the balls of dough in a pot of boiling water before cooking them in the air fryer.
• Baking soda - I combine water with baking soda to cook the pizza dough as it gives the dough a head start by puffing it up and gives you that chewy texture you expect from a pretzel.
• Egg - I use one beaten egg to brush the pizza dough balls before placing them into the air fryer. The egg wash gives the dough a shiny glaze.
• Salt - for added flavor and a touch of seasoning I sprinkle over some pretzel salt before placing the dough balls in the air fryer. This is entirely optional and you can leave it off if you prefer.

How to make Air Fryer Pretzel Bites

Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cut or break the pizza dough into small bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch thick.

Roll the pieces into small cylinders. Set aside.

In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Slowly add the baking soda and stir until dissolved.

Using a slotted spoon, cautiously lower the dough balls into the boiling water. Allow them to cook for approximately 20-30 seconds before removing them with the slotted spoon.

Place the dough balls on a paper towel and pat them dry.

Beat the egg in a small bowl.

Brush each dough ball in the egg wash, and coat it evenly. Sprinkle with salt if desired.

Place the dough balls in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket.

Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-8 minutes or until the pretzel bites are golden brown and cooked.

Continue to cook the dough bites in batches until fully cooked.

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, such as mustard or cheese sauce.

Expert Tips

These tips will help you make the best air-fried pretzel bites you've ever tried.

• Don't skip the baking soda as that's what helps the balls of dough puff up and gives you the great chewy texture you expect from a pretzel.
• Once cooked in the boiling water, always allow the dough balls to drain on paper towels before placing them in the air fryer. The drier the dough balls the crispier the pretzel.

Flavor variations

• After brushing the dough balls with egg wash, sprinkle over some dried herbs and serve with a tomato dipping sauce.
• Add some spice; try smoked paprika, Cajun spice blend, or red pepper flakes.
• Sprinkle over some sesame or nigella seeds.
• For sweet air fryer pretzel bites, swap the salt for demerara sugar and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, and serve with a chocolate dipping sauce.

Serving suggestions

This recipe makes 40 pretzel bites which make a great appetizer or games night snack. I like to serve it with mustard or cheese sauce. However, you can serve these savory snacks with your favorite dipping sauce.

For something a little different try my Easy Queso Dip or BBQ Black-Eyed Pea Dip.

How to store

On counter-top: Once cooked, allow to cool and store in an airtight container on the countertop at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to heat up the pretzels, place them into the air fryer for a couple of minutes to warm through.

To freeze: Once cooked and cool, lay out on a baking sheet and freeze for one hour. Then place into a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy reheat from frozen.

FAQs

If you have tried these Air Fryer Pretzel Bites or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!