Ingredients
Scale
For the Pretzel Bites:
- 1 pound store-bought pizza dough (refrigerated or from your local pizzeria)
- 6 cups water
- ¼ cup baking soda
- Cooking spray or oil for air fryer basket
For Topping:
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2-3 tablespoons coarse pretzel salt or coarse sea salt
- Optional: everything bagel seasoning, garlic salt, or cinnamon sugar (2 tablespoons sugar + 1 teaspoon cinnamon)
For Serving:
- Cheese sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Honey mustard
- Spicy brown mustard
- Ranch dressing
- Marinara sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Remove pizza dough from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes—this makes it much easier to work with. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 12×8 inches and about ½-inch thick.
- Cut into pieces: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into long strips about 1 inch wide. Then cut each strip into 1-inch pieces to create small squares or rectangles. You should get about 40-50 pieces total. Roll each piece gently between your palms to create a more rounded shape, though rustic shapes work perfectly too!
- Prepare baking soda bath: In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, carefully add the baking soda—it will foam up significantly, so add it slowly and stir gently. Reduce heat to medium to maintain a gentle boil. This is the magic step that creates authentic pretzel flavor!
- Boil pretzel bites: Working in batches of 10-12 pieces at a time, carefully drop pretzel bites into the boiling baking soda water using a slotted spoon. Boil for 20-30 seconds—they’ll puff up slightly and float to the surface. Don’t overcrowd the pot or they’ll stick together.
- Drain pretzel bites: Using a slotted spoon or spider strainer, remove the pretzel bites from the water and place them on a paper towel-lined plate or cutting board. Pat the tops gently with another paper towel to remove excess moisture. This step is important for achieving crispy exteriors!
- Preheat air fryer: While draining the pretzel bites, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Air fry first batch: Arrange pretzel bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving small gaps between each piece for air circulation. Don’t overcrowd—you’ll need to cook in 2-3 batches depending on your air fryer size. Air fry at 375°F for 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through with tongs or a spatula, until deep golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Butter and salt: Immediately transfer hot pretzel bites to a large bowl. Brush generously with melted butter while they’re still hot—the heat helps the butter soak in. Sprinkle with coarse salt (or your chosen topping) and toss gently to coat evenly. The salt sticks best to the buttery surface!
- Repeat with remaining batches: Continue air frying the remaining pretzel bites in batches, maintaining the same temperature and time. Keep finished batches warm in a low oven (200°F) while cooking the rest, or serve in batches as they finish.
- Serve immediately: Pretzel bites are best served warm! Arrange on a serving platter with your favorite dipping sauces. These are incredibly addictive fresh from the air fryer when they’re still warm and soft inside with a crispy, salty exterior.
Notes
- Dough temperature matters: Room temperature dough is much easier to cut and shape. Cold dough is stiff and will spring back.
- Don’t skip the baking soda bath: This is what makes them taste like authentic pretzels! The alkaline bath is essential for flavor and color.
- Watch the cooking time: Air fryers vary in temperature accuracy. Start checking at 5 minutes and adjust time as needed for your specific model.
- Work in batches: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Pretzel bites need space for air circulation to get crispy.
- Add toppings while hot: Butter and salt stick best when pretzel bites are fresh from the air fryer.
- Customize flavors: Try cinnamon sugar for sweet pretzel bites, everything bagel seasoning, garlic parmesan, or jalapeño cheddar.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-5 pretzel bites
- Calories: 142
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 684mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 9mg