Air Fryer Pretzel Bites
Ready in about 87 minutes.
Published by the RecipeAirFryer editorial team · How we source times · Updated
Times and temperatures come from our reviewed cooking database. Explanatory text on each page is generated from that entry so the numbers stay consistent.
Poppable, buttery pretzel bites with a chewy centre and salty crust. The air fryer turns these little pillows golden in minutes, making them the ultimate dunk-and-share party snack.
Written for 6. Cook in batches rather than stacking if you scale up.
Ingredients
- 350 g plain flour
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 240 ml warm water
- 60 g bicarbonate of soda for the bath
- 1 litre hot water for the bath
- 30 g melted butter
- Coarse sea salt
Method
- 1Make a dough with flour, yeast, sugar, salt and warm water; knead and prove 1 hour until doubled.
- 2Roll into ropes and cut into 2.5 cm bite-sized pieces.
- 3Dip the pieces in the bicarbonate-of-soda bath for 30 seconds and drain.
- 4Preheat the air fryer to 180°C/360°F and arrange the bites in a single layer.
- 5Cook for 6-8 minutes, shaking once, until golden all over.
- 6Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with salt and serve with cheese sauce.
Tips for the best results
- Cut the bites the same size so they cook evenly.
- Toss in cinnamon sugar instead of salt for a sweet version.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Crowding the basket so air fryer pretzel bites steams instead of browning.
- Skipping the shake every 8 min, which leaves one side pale.
- Letting wet coating pieces touch, which peels the crust and keeps it soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature and time for air fryer pretzel bites?
A typical starting point is 180°C / 360°F for 6-8 min, shake every 8 min. Thickness and wattage change the finish, so check early.
Can I make air fryer pretzel bites ahead?
Cook it, cool it quickly, and refrigerate. Reheat in the air fryer at a slightly lower temperature so the outside does not dry before the middle is hot.
How many people does air fryer pretzel bites serve?
This recipe is written for 6. For a fuller basket, cook in batches rather than stacking, or add a couple of minutes and shake more often.