Honey Free Air Fryer Pretzel Bites
Chewy on the inside, deeply golden on the outside, and finished with a satisfying crunch of coarse salt — these air fryer pretzel bites are the kind of snack that disappears the moment you set them on the table. The dough comes together with pantry staples like flour, butter, yeast, and a touch of sugar, so there's no need to scan labels for hidden sweeteners or worry about what's been snuck into a store-bought version. The real magic happens in the baking soda bath, which gives each bite that signature pretzel chew and rich, slightly alkaline flavor before it ever hits the air fryer. A quick egg wash locks in that gorgeous mahogany color and helps the salt stick, so every single bite looks and tastes like it came from a proper pretzel shop. The air fryer does the heavy lifting in under ten minutes per batch, delivering a crisp exterior without the mess of deep frying. Dip them in yellow mustard straight out of the basket and you've got a crowd-pleasing appetizer or game-day snack that's completely free of any sweetener beyond the teaspoon of sugar that wakes up the yeast.
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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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