Walnut Free Air Fryer Pretzel Bites
Chewy on the inside, deeply golden on the outside, and finished with a satisfying crunch of coarse salt — these little bites deliver everything you love about a soft pretzel in snackable, poppable form. The secret to that signature pretzel chew and dark color is the baking soda bath, which gives each piece its characteristic crust before it ever hits the air fryer. A quick egg wash locks in that glossy, mahogany finish that makes them look like they came straight from a ballpark stand. Tree nut concerns can make packaged snacks a minefield, but this recipe is built entirely from pantry staples — flour, yeast, butter, salt — so you know exactly what's going in. The air fryer does the heavy lifting in under ten minutes per batch, making it easy to get a fresh, hot round on the table without heating up the whole kitchen. Dip them in yellow mustard and they're genuinely hard to stop eating.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!