Pork Free Air Fryer Pretzel Bites
Chewy on the inside, deeply bronzed on the outside, and finished with a satisfying crunch of coarse salt — these pretzel bites are the kind of snack that disappears the moment you set them on the table. The baking soda bath is the real secret here, giving each little nugget that signature pretzel chew and that gorgeous mahogany color without needing a commercial oven or any specialty equipment. The air fryer does the heavy lifting in just 7–9 minutes per batch, which means you can go from raw dough to golden bites faster than most delivery apps can find your address. Every ingredient in this recipe is naturally free from pork and pork-derived products, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap anything out — just straightforward, honest pantry staples. A simple egg wash locks in the color and helps the flaky sea salt cling to every surface, making each bite look as good as it tastes. Dip them in yellow mustard and you've got a snack that feels like a ballpark or a German beer hall, right in your own kitchen.
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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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