Citric Acid Free Air Fryer Pretzel Bites
Soft, chewy, and golden-brown with a satisfying salty crust, these air fryer pretzel bites deliver everything you love about a classic ballpark snack — straight from your own kitchen. For anyone avoiding citric acid, store-bought pretzels and snack bites can be a minefield, since the additive often hides in packaged doughs, flavor coatings, and even some mustards. This recipe keeps things refreshingly straightforward: yeast, flour, butter, salt, and a baking soda bath are all you need to get that iconic chewy exterior and pillowy interior. The baking soda soak is the real secret here — it creates the signature pretzel tang and deep color without any citric acid in sight. A beaten egg wash and a generous shower of coarse salt before air frying give each bite that gorgeous mahogany finish and satisfying crunch. The air fryer does a brilliant job of crisping the outside while keeping the inside tender, and the batches come together quickly so you're never waiting long. Dip them in yellow mustard and try not to eat the whole batch before anyone else gets to the table.
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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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