Turkey 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. The dough comes together with pantry staples — flour, yeast, butter, and a little sugar — so there's nothing complicated standing between you and a fresh batch. The real magic happens in the baking soda bath, which gives each bite that signature pretzel chew and deep, slightly tangy flavor before it ever hits the air fryer. A generous egg wash followed by a blast of hot air at 375°F delivers that gorgeous mahogany crust without any deep frying required. Since the entire recipe is built around simple baking ingredients, there's no need to scan labels or worry about hidden poultry-derived additives sneaking into your snack spread. Serve them straight from the air fryer with a side of yellow mustard and watch them vanish — they're best eaten hot, when the outside is still crisp and the inside is pillowy and warm.
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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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