Air Fryer Soft Pretzel Bites are an addictive after-school snack or a great party snack. They are crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and can be baked in an air-fryer or in an oven.
These soft pretzel bites can be served to people of all ages. They go well as finger food for toddlers, kids and adults would love them as a snack.
What is a pretzel?
Pretzel is a type of baked bread made from leavened dough that is typically shaped into a knot. The traditional pretzel is typically formed in a symmetrical form with the ends intertwined and then twisted back in a particular way. They do come in a wide variety of shapes.
Salt is the most common seasoning for pretzels. What differentiates the pretzel from the typical pizza rolls or dough is that before baking the dough they are immersed in water with baking soda or lye. This gives it the typical dark color.
Pretzels can be hard or soft. Hard pretzels can be stored and eaten as a munching snack. Soft pretzels should be eaten shortly after they are made.
I decided to make soft pretzel bites. I knew this would go as a breeze with my kids and something for them as an after-school snack. So I made 4 different types of Soft Pretzel Bites
4 different types of Soft Pretzel Bites
With the same dough, I made 4 different types of soft pretzel bites. The first one was Cinnamon Sugar soft pretzel bites, which were rolled into a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. The second Cheese Stuffed soft pretzel bites. And as you all guessed from the name, I stuffed some cheddar cheese into it. The third one was with some good quality dark chocolate for my daughter and lastly, the fourth one was a pizza pretzel bites, with some vegetarian pizza filling along with my homemade tomato sauce.
No, we did not eat all in one go :-). I made them in 2 batches, 2 days for after-school snacks. I just keep the dough in the fridge for the next day.
We were unable to decide which one was the best. My son gave a thumbs up for all. He loved it all and so do I. I did like the savory versions more and the cinnamon and sugar one. And my daughter thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate ones.
Air fryer or oven?
On the first day, I baked everything in the air fryer. At first, I was not able to decide which one I should go with. Being a hot day I decided to go with the air fryer. Glad I did that, as baking these soft pretzel bites in the air fryer was a breeze. All in all, it took around 8-10 minutes for each batch. I have a big cosori air fryer and could fit in around 9 at once. Even more, could have gone, but I just decided to even it out, as I was making variations.
The second time I gave it a try in the oven. The results of both were equally good and tasted the same.
So, one can bake these soft pretzel bites in an air-fryer or in an oven. If you have to make it as a quick snack, go for an air fryer, and if you have a large batch go for the oven. Baking in the air fryer will take around 8-10 minutes, with just 4 minutes of preheating. Baking in the oven will take around 20 mins, with around 7-8 minutes of pre-heating depending on your oven.
Recipe process of Air Fryer Soft Pretzel Bites
The first step is making the dough. This is almost similar to any other dough. I even checked a few recipes and many have made these pretzel bites from biscuit dough too or store-bought pizza dough. I preferred to make it from scratch.
So after making the dough, I allowed it to rest and double in volume. The dough can be made well ahead of time and allowed to prove in the fridge. This will even help in developing the taste in the dough.
The next step is to divide the dough into equal size portions. I divided the dough and rolled them into long ropes or strips. Then divide it again into small portions around 1 inch in length and half an inch in width.
If you are doing some filling, flatten the dough between your palms and fill it in the center. Do not overdo the filling, or else it would be difficult to seal the dough. Once you have the filling in, grab the edges and seal the dough.
Once you have the pretzel bites ready, drop them into the boiling mixture of baking soda and water. We do this briefly for around 40-50 seconds. This helps in getting the dough slightly cooked as well as adds a lovely color to the pretzel bites. This step is optional, but I would recommend doing it if you want a beautiful color.
Next, I brushed it with some milk and then baked it in a preheated air fryer for 8 minutes. Once they were baked, I brushed the cheese, pizza, and chocolate ones with some butter. For the cinnamon and sugar ones, dip them in melted butter and coat them with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Enjoy them warm with a hot cuppa.
Can we refrigerate the dough?
Yes, the dough can be refrigerated. One can keep the dough for 2-3 days in the fridge and bake it as required. Before baking remove the dough for at least 30-60 minutes to bring it to room temperature.
Can we freeze the dough?
Yes, the dough can be frozen for a couple of months in the freezer. I would suggest shaping and filling them as desired and then freeze. When required simply bake them in a preheated oven or air-fryer.
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Recipe for Air Fryer Soft Pretzel Bites
Air Fryer Soft Pretzel Bites
Equipment
- Oven – Either Air Fryer or an oven
- Stand Mixture – Optional
Ingredients
Dough for Soft Pretzels
- 4 cup – 630 grams – Whole Wheat Flour can be replaced with all-purpose or plain flour
- 2.5 teaspoon – 10 grams – Instant Yeast
- 1 tablespoon Light brown Sugar Or Sugar of choice
- 1.5-2 cup Lukewarm Water
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoon Melted Butter at room temperature
- Baking Soda Bath
- ⅓ Cup Baking Soda
- 9 cup Water
Other Ingredients for brushing the pretzels before and after baking
- ¼ Cup Milk
- ¼ Cup Melted Butter
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1/4 Cup Butter Melted
- 1.5 teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ Cup Powdered Demera sugar Or granulated or sugar of choice
For Cheese filling
- Grated Cheddar Cheese
For chocolate Filling
- Dark or Milk chocolate broken into small pieces
- For Pizza Filling
- Pasta sauce
- Veggies of choice corn, pepper, etc
Instructions
- Dough for Soft Pretzels
Activating the yeast
- In a bowl add the yeast, sugar, and 1.5 cups of lukewarm water.
- Mix it thoroughly.
- Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- This will activate the yeast.
Dough for Soft Pretzels
- Once the yeast mixture is activated. In a wide bowl or the bowl of your electric stand mixer add the flour and salt.
- Now add the yeast mixture.
- Mix and start kneading it on slow.
- If done by hands, start mixing and kneading the dough and form a ball shape
- Once the dough is mixed start increasing the speed and kneading the dough.
- Slowly add the butter and continue kneading the dough.
- Continue kneading the dough by hand or by keeping on increasing the speed for 5-7 minutes.
- The dough is done when it comes all together and has an elastic texture.
- Shape it into a ball form and oil the dough lightly.
- Grease a wide bowl and let the dough rest for 1 to 1.5 hours until double in size.
Shaping and filling the Pretzels
- Once the dough is double in size, knead the dough again with your hand to release all the air.
- Divide the dough into 6-8 equal parts.
- Dust your working surface with some flour.
- Roll one dough into a log form, around 1 inch thick and 12 inches in length.
- Divide the log into equal size pieces, around 1 inch in thickness
- If you are doing a filling, for each small piece, flatten it in your hand.
- Add filling of your choice.
- Fill only in the center. Be careful with the pizza or cheese stuffing. Do not overfill or you would not be able to seal it.
- Grab the edges and seal them.
- Roughly shape it into a rectangular shape.
- Finish the rest and keep aside
Baking Soda Bath
- In a large pot add the water.
- Add baking soda and let the water mixture come to a boil.
- Be careful at times the boiling water might come out. Just stir everything and reduce the stove to medium.
- Now carefully add each of the pretzel bites to the water and water bath them for roughly around 45-50 seconds.
- Do this in batches, say 8-10. Do not overcrowd the pot.
- Keep aside or arrange it on a baking tray or air fryer basket.
Baking in an Air Fryer.
- Preheat the air fryer to 180 Deg C. This should take around 3-4 minutes depending on your Air fryer model.
- Place the pretzel bites in the air fryer basket, giving enough space between each.
- Brush each pretzel bite with a bit of milk. I do this for added color. One can egg wash too.
- Now, bake this in a pre-heated air-fryer for 8 minutes.
- Once they are done, remove and brush the top with melted butter.
- They are ready to serve.
Baking in an Oven.
- Preheat the air fryer to 200 Deg C.
- Place the pretzel bites on the oven tray giving enough space between each.
- Brush each pretzel bite with a bit of milk. I do this for added color. One can egg wash too.
- Now, bake this in a preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Once they are done, remove and brush the top with melted butter.
- They are ready to serve.
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- In a bowl mix in the cinnamon and powdered sugar.
- Dip each of the pretzel bites in butter. Do this while the pretzel bites are still hot.
- Remove and roll them in a cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Shake off the excess sugar and serve.
Notes
- Standard US Size cups and spoons are used. 1 cup = 237 ml, 1 teaspoon = 5 ml
- One can replace whole wheat flour with All-purpose Flour / Maida / Plain Flour.
- Flour measurements can differ depending on the flour texture
Sharing this with
I am sharing this bread with our Bread Bakers group. This month’s theme was suggested by me where I asked my friends to bake anything that involves Pretzels. Check out the different recipes they came out with.
Do check the different delicious coconut bread from my dear blogger friends
- Air Fryer Soft Pretzel Bites from Cook with Renu
- Homemade Pretzel Bites from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Keto Pretzel Bites from Sneha’s Recipe
- Pretzel Hamburger Buns from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Soft Sourdough Pretzel Knots from Food Lust People Love
- Toffee Apple Pretzels from A Messy Kitchen
- Double Jalapeno Cheese Pretzel from Magical Ingredients
We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient.
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Radha
Saturday 17th of September 2022
The pretzel bites look yum! I have never tried baking pretzels in air fryer, these pretzels have turned out great and soon would try making them in air fryer.
Karen @karenskitchenstories
Tuesday 13th of September 2022
These aren't just air fryer pretzel bites.... You went and filled these with cheese or chocolate! Oh my! And you used whole wheat! These sound amazing.
Kelly
Tuesday 13th of September 2022
Love every little thing about these: bite sized, air fryer, dough keeps in the fridge, multiple filling options... Wonderful!
Wendy Klik
Tuesday 13th of September 2022
What great after school snacks. Lucky kids!!