Artificial Food Coloring Free Air Fryer Pretzel Bites
Soft, chewy, and golden-brown with a satisfying salt crunch on top, these air fryer pretzel bites are the kind of snack that disappears the moment you set them on the table. Store-bought versions and packaged snack foods are notorious for sneaking in synthetic dyes — sometimes for color, sometimes just for branding — so making your own from scratch is the cleanest way to enjoy this classic treat. Every ingredient here is straightforward: flour, yeast, butter, egg, and salt, with nothing artificial in sight. The baking soda bath is the real secret, giving each bite that signature chewy exterior and deep, burnished color that comes entirely from the egg wash and the heat of the air fryer. Because the mahogany color develops naturally during cooking, there's zero need for any added coloring agents to make these look impressive. A side of yellow mustard keeps things simple and bold, and if you check your label, plain yellow mustard is typically one of the easiest condiments to find without unnecessary additives.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the dough
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°f / 43°c)
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For the baking soda bath
- 6 cups water
- ⅓ cup baking soda
For finishing
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1–2 tbsp coarse pretzel salt or flaky sea salt
For serving
- ½ cup yellow mustard (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl and let stand for 5–7 minutes, until the surface is foamy and the mixture smells yeasty.
- 2
Add the flour, fine salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 4–5 minutes, until the dough is smooth, slightly tacky, and springs back when poked. Return to the bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and rest for 10 minutes.
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