• 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.