AIR FRYER SOFT PRETZELS
The perfect Air Fryer Soft Pretzels that are soft and chewy on the inside and golden brown and a little crunchy on the outside. This is your ultimate soft pretzel recipe that only requires a handful of pantry staple 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.
Air Fried Soft Pretzels are the Perfect Snack
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, and different flavors like cinnamon sugar, sesame and more.
The best part?
These pretzels only take 15 minutes to cook in the air fryer.
These soft pretzels can be customized to fit different needs, such as substituting butter with vegan butter or omitting, it as you see fit.
You can also use gluten-free flour to make this recipe gluten-free!
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Soft Pretzels
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!)
Step by Step Instruction to Make Air Fryer Pretzels
Allow the yeast to activate for 10 minutes.
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 to an hour until the dough has almost doubled in size.
Now let’s make the pretzels!
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 375 F for 10-12 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).
Variations You Might Want to Try
Different Flavors
- Cinnamon Sugar
- Flakey sea salt
- Garlic Parmesan
Different Shapes
- Pretzel Knots
- Pretzel Bites
- Pretzel Sticks
- Pretzel Nuggets
Can you think of any other ways to customize these air fryer pretzels?
Ways to Enjoy These 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 the options below:
- My vegan queso sauce
- Everything but the bagel dip from Trader Joes
- Dijon mustard (a classic goody!)
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”
Get the recipe:Air Fryer Soft Pretzels
Ingredients
Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus ½ cup for dusting and rolling *
- 1 ½ cup of warm water, around 115F
- 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. Stir together (if you have a themometer, it is the best to have the temperature at 110F). Sprinkle the yeast across the surface of the mixture.
- 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 instant yeast, skip to the next step. If using active dry yeast, allow the dough to sit in a warm place for half an hour or until the dough has almost doubled in size.
- 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 375F and cook for 10-12 minutes until golden brown on the outside.
Notes
The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.
Have you ever made pretzel nuggets? I am new to air frying and am just wondering about timing for something smaller. I’d like to make them that way to serve as an appetizer for a New Year’s Day football viewing party.
Hi Ellen,
I have not personally made nuggets (I have been wanting to). But yes I would say around 6-7 minutes depending on how small you have them. I’d also do a couple for testing just to make sure you have the right time. Hope this helps!! And HAVE FUN at your football party! These would be perfect!
Shuang