Air Fryer Soft Pretzels Recipe
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 pretzels
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F to 115°F)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1 egg, beaten
- Coarse salt, for sprinkling
- Optional toppings: sesame seeds, poppy seeds, shredded cheese, etc.
- Cooking spray or oil for greasing the air fryer basket
Instructions:
- Activate the Yeast:
- In a mixing bowl, combine warm water and sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Sprinkle the yeast over the water-sugar mixture and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the yeast is foamy and activated.
- Make the Dough:
- Gradually add the flour to the yeast mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Add more flour if needed to prevent sticking.
- Rise the Dough:
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Pretzels:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 6 equal portions.
- Roll each portion into a long rope, about 20-24 inches long.
- Shape each rope into a pretzel by forming a U-shape, then crossing the ends over each other and twisting them once, then folding them down to the bottom of the U-shape to form the classic pretzel shape.
- Prepare the Baking Soda Bath:
- In a shallow dish, mix the baking soda with 4 cups of hot water until dissolved.
- Dip and Air Fry the Pretzels:
- Dip each shaped pretzel into the baking soda bath for about 10-15 seconds, then place them on a wire rack to drip off excess liquid.
- Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil.
- Place the pretzels in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each one.
- Brush the tops of the pretzels with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt or desired toppings.
- Air Fry:
- Air fry the pretzels at 400°F (200°C) for about 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
- Serve:
- Remove the air fryer soft pretzels from the basket and let them cool slightly on a wire rack.
- Serve warm and enjoy with mustard, cheese sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips:
- You can get creative with toppings by adding sesame seeds, poppy seeds, shredded cheese, or even cinnamon sugar for sweet pretzels.
- For a glossy finish, you can brush the pretzels with melted butter immediately after air frying.
- Adjust the air fryer cooking time slightly based on the size and thickness of your pretzels.
Nutritional Information (per serving, based on 6 servings):
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Total Fat: 1.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 27mg
- Sodium: 1762mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 54g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 1g
- Protein: 8g
These air fryer soft pretzels are deliciously golden on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and perfect for snacking or serving with your favorite dips!
