The perfect Air Fryer Soft Pretzel that is soft and chewy on the inside and perfectly browned and a little crunchy on the outside. This is your ultimate soft pretzel recipe that only requires a handful of ingredients and can be made in the air fryer in 15 minutes!

When I go to the movies or sporting events, I always look forward to a warm soft pretzel – especially, that first bite.

The other day, I was standing in my kitchen craving a salty, filling snack and of course I had to use my air fryer because it makes everything simple and quick. 

If you are looking for other air fryer recipes, check out my air fryer french toast sticks and air fryer zucchini fries recipes. 

Why air fried soft pretzels are the perfect snack year-round? 

buttery homemade soft pretzel with everything but the bagel seasoning, served with a side of Dijon mustard

First off, these soft, buttery Everything Pretzels are so easy to make and only require a handful of pantry staples that likely you already have around the kitchen.

Second, you can even get super creative with these soft pretzels and make them into different shapes, different flavors like cinnamon sugar, sesame and more.

The best part? These pretzels only take 15 minutes to cook in the air fryer.

Are pretzels good for you? 

Everything in moderation!

I am a firm believer in enjoying all the foods in a balanced way and using wholesome, natural ingredients in my baking.

These soft pretzels can be customized to fit different needs, such as substituting butter with vegan butter or omitting, as you see fit.

Feel free to add savory or sweet toppings to make it yours! 

Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Soft Pretzels 

Ingredients for making everything soft pretzels- Flour, everything but the bagel seasoning, egg, salt, butter

To make these soft pretzels, all you need are 6 common ingredients!

DOUGH

  • All-purpose flour
  • Water 
  • Butter 
  • Yeast 
  • Sugar 

TOPPINGS

  • Egg 
  • Butter 
  • Everything seasoning (optional, but my favorite to add!)

How to make air fryer soft pretzels 

Preparing the dough for the air fryer soft pretzels- in the left image is the melted butter, salt and sugar with the yeast. And the right image is the mix with flour mixed together to form the dough

PREPARING THE DOUGH

In a big bowl mix first together warm water, butter, salt, sugar, and yeast. 

Allow the yeast to activate for 10 minutes. 

Next, add the all-purpose flour into the bowl ½ cup at a time while stirring using a wooden spoon or a pair of chopsticks. 

Next, add the all-purpose flour into the bowl ½ cup at a time while stirring using a wooden spoon or a pair of chopsticks. 

Once all the flour is added and mixed in, the dough should be sticky. 

mixing the dough for the soft pretzels, adding little bits more of flour each time until it is to the correct consistency

Then, dust a little bit of flour onto a kneading surface, and place the dough on top of the floured surface. Knead the dough gently for 3-4 minutes. 

*If you are using active dry yeast, allow the dough to sit in a warm place for half an hour. Omit if not using. 

Once the dough has been kneaded, cut the dough into 4 or 8 equal pieces (depending on your preferred pretzel size) 

preparing and cutting pretzel dough for air fryer on a baking mat

Next, roll out each of the dough pieces into long ropes. 

After that, twist the long rope to form a pretzel shape. (Or any shape you would like!) 

Pretzel dough being twisted and shaped and sitting on the baking mat

PRETZEL WASH 

In a small bowl, mix together egg and butter. Then, take the egg wash and brush it all over the pretzels 

Afterwards, if you would like, sprinkle everything seasoning on the tops of the pretzels before placing them into the air fryer. 

Air fryer everything soft pretzels twisted on the baking mat, being brushed with the butter and egg wash mix on the left image. The right image shows the EBTB seasoning put on and being placed In the air fryer

AIR FRYER

If you are planning to make giant pretzels, cook pretzels one at a time to avoid overcrowding. The pretzels will expand during the cooking process. 

Next, set the air fryer to 350 F for 12-14 minutes

(please note that every air fryer is slightly different, so be sure to check the dough around 12 minutes to see if it needs more time. For example, if it appears to still be doughy, let the pretzel continue to cook for a few additional minutes). 

How to serve air fryer soft pretzels 

These Soft Pretzels are delicious just on their own- but if you want to have some fun with it, try it out with one of these options below:

These pretzels are perfect for any occasion and any time of day! So even if you are not an Everything seasoning fan, there are SO many other variations you could try out! Another favorite of mine that you may see very soon, is a cinnamon sugar version!

Lastly, if big pretzels aren’t your thing, you can always create these as pretzel bites or cut the big pretzel into bite size pieces for an easy party snack!

What’s your favorite way to enjoy a classic soft pretzel? Leave me a comment below! 

I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN USE “TRIED IT” ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING #SHUANGYSEATS”

buttery homemade soft pretzel with everything but the bagel seasoning, served with a side of Dijon mustard

Other simple AND DELICIOUS AIR FRYER recipes you might like

1. Air Fryer Crab Rangoon

2. Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

3. Air Fryer Firecracker Tofu

buttery homemade soft pretzel with everything but the bagel seasoning

Get the recipe:AIR FRYER SOFT PRETZEL

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
You know that perfect soft pretzel with a chewy interior and a tad of a crunch on the outside? Well, this is it. And all you need is your air fryer!
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Ingredients

Dough

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus ½ cup for dusting and rolling
  • 1 ½ cup of warm water, around 110F
  • 3 tablespoons of butter melted
  • 7 g 1 packet yeast (instant or active)
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • 1-2 teaspoons of salt

Toppings

  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon of butter melted
  • Everything seasoning*, optional

Equipment

Instructions 

  • In a big bowl, put warm water, butter, salt, sugar, and yeast. Stir together.
  • Wait 10 minutes to allow the yeast to activate.
  • Add ½ cup of flour at a time into the big bowl and stir with a wooden spoon.
  • Once all the flour has been added, the dough should be sticky.
  • Dust some flour onto a work surface and knead the dough for 3-4 minutes.
  • If using active dry yeast, allow the dough to sit in a warm place for half an hour. Omit if using instant yeast.
  • Cut the dough into 4 or 8 equal pieces (depending on pretzel preference size).
  • Roll each piece of dough into long ropes.
  • Twist and form into pretzel shapes.
  • Set dough aside and prepare the egg wash.
  • In a small bowl, mix together egg and butter to make the egg wash.
  • Brush the egg wash onto the entire pretzel. Repeat for all pretzels.
  • Add everything seasoning, if desired.
  • Spray the air-fryer basket with oil. Place pretzels into air fryer but be sure not to overcrowd as the pretzels will expand when they cook.
  • Set the air fryer to 350F and cook for 12-14 minutes.
Serving: 1g, Calories: 293kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 39mg, Sodium: 634mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g

The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.

Author: Shuang Shuang Liang
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: American