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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Prepare the Baking Soda Bath:
   • In a shallow dish, mix the baking soda with 4 cups of hot water until dissolved.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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!