Air Fryer Pretzel Recipe (No Yeast! Perfect Snack or Appetizer!) (2024)

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Soft pretzels are a delicious snack to enjoy for any occasion. But making soft pretzels at home can be a long, complicated process. With the help of your air fryer and a recipe that doesn’t use yeast, you can cut the prep time in half! This simple air fryer pretzel recipe can be made in a matter of minutes.

You’ll be enjoying air fryer soft pretzels in no time at all!

Scroll down to learn how to make homemade soft pretzels and how to make frozen pretzels in your air fryer!

Air Fryer Pretzel Recipe (No Yeast! Perfect Snack or Appetizer!) (1)

AIR FRYER PRETZELS

One of the first things I ever made in my air fryer was a frozen soft pretzel. We love soft pretzels, but the microwave just never quite did pretzels justice. Baking them in the oven works okay but takes a lot longer!

These are perfect when you’re craving a quick snack! They’re also the perfect party appetizer and a great Game Day appetizer!

For more easy snacks to make in the air fryer, try making Donut Holes and Fried Pickles!

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CAN YOU AIR FRY PRETZELS?

If you just want to know how to air fry frozen pretzels, rest assured that you can and it’s one of the best ways to make them! It’s also one of the quickest ways to make them.

HOW LONG DO YOU COOK IN PRETZELS IN AN AIR FRYER?

For frozen pretzels, you need about 3-5 minutes depending on the model of fryer you own.

All you had to do is layer the frozen pretzels in your air fryer basket (make sure they don’t overlap each other). Brush them with water and add salt, if desired. Then cook them at 320° for 3 to 5 minutes.

Depending on your model of air fryer, you may need more time. I usually start with 3 minutes and then check on the pretzels. Serve them warm with mustard or your favorite dipping sauce!

If you want an easy homemade take on soft pretzels in the air fryer, check out the recipe below!

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NO YEAST PRETZEL INGREDIENTS

This recipe makes 8 pretzels. It takes about 15 minutes to prep and about 30 minutes to cook all of them when you’re cooking in batches to fit in the air fryer.

While most soft pretzel recipes use yeast to help the dough rise, these recipes also take a long time to prepare. If you want to cut your prep time down, try using a no yeast pretzel recipe instead. This simple recipe can be made in a matter of minutes and there’s no need to let the dough rise or place it in a baking soda bath.

To make these simple no yeast pretzels, you’ll need:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Butter
  • Milk
  • Salt

With this simple list of ingredients, you can prepare your pretzels. Then bake them in the air fryer for a quick and easy snack.

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HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER PRETZELS

To make these simple pretzels, you’ll need to prepare the dough and twist it into knots. If you want to make them into a more traditional pretzel shape, you can do that as well. After that, just pop them in your air fryer to cook them.

The first step to making pretzels in the air fryer is to whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar until they’re well combined. Next, add the softened butter and cut it into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender or fork.

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Keep stirring until the mixture resembles coarse sand, then add the milk to the bowl. Stir until the dough begins to stick together and the ingredients are well incorporated.

Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Coat your hands with flour, then knead the dough until it’s no longer sticky. Roll the dough out into a log and cut it into 8 equal pieces.

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To form the pretzel knots, roll one of the pieces between your hands into a long rope. Fold the rope in half, then twist the ends together to form a knot. Continue rolling and twisting the dough until you have eight knots formed.

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Preheat your air fryer to 375° if needed, then place the pretzels in the basket, making sure they’re not touching. If your fryer model doesn’t require preheating, set your temperature and start cooking.

You may want to spray your basket or pan with non-stick cooking spray to make sure the dough doesn’t stick. This depends on your model. I have an air fryer that has no issues with food sticking and one that does.

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You may need to cook the pretzels in batches depending on how big your air fryer is. Place the basket in the fryer and cook for 15 minutes, until the pretzels are golden brown. Brush the pretzels with melted butter and sprinkle pretzel salt on top before serving.

You can also make a seasoned pretzel by topping them with other seasonings. I recommend trying Everything But the Bagel seasoning! Parmesan cheese is also delicious!

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HOW DO YOU AIR FRY PRETZEL DOGS?

If you have family members who are fans of soft pretzels, you might find that they love pretzel dogs too.

It’s easy to cook pretzel dogs in the air fryer too!

Place the pretzel dogs in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure there is space around each one so the hot air can circulate.

Cook on375°-400° for 8-9 minutes, turning the pretzel dogs over halfway through the cooking time. You’ll know they’re done when they’re golden brown and completely cooked through.

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Air Fryer Soft Pretzels

Make this easy air fryer pretzel recipe for snacks and appetizers! No yeast needed!

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time27 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Equipment

Ingredients

For Pretzels:

For Topping:

  • 2 Tablespoons butter (melted)
  • ¼ cup coarse salt (or pretzel salt)

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 375° if required by your fryer model.

  • Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.

  • Cut the softened butter into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or fork.

  • Add the milk and stir until a soft dough forms.

  • Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead the dough until smooth and no longer sticky.

  • Separate the dough into eight equal balls. Roll each ball between your hands to form a long rope, then twist the ends together to form a knot.

  • Cook the pretzels in the air fryer for 15 minutes, until golden brown. Watch the cooking time for your pretzels. It may differ depending on the model of your air fryer.

  • After the pretzels are cooked, brush each one with melted butter and top with coarse salt.

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Air Fryer Pretzel Recipe (No Yeast! Perfect Snack or Appetizer!) (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient which makes a pretzel taste like a pretzel? ›

The answer lies in a brief dip in an alkaline water bath before baking. This bath essentially gelatinizes the outside of the pretzel, preventing it from fully “springing” during baking (as bread does) and giving pretzels their signature chewy crust. It also gives them their unique and indelible “pretzel” flavor.

What is the secret solution for Auntie Anne's pretzels? ›

Whisk together 2 cups (454 grams) of warm water and the 1/3 cup (90 grams) baking soda in a shallow dish. Dip the pretzels into the baking soda bath. Flip and dip the other side. Place the dipped pretzels onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

What makes the pretzels shiny and brown on top? ›

Lye is primarily used to make pretzels, and it's the reason for their unmistakable shiny, mahogany color. To prepare, shaped pretzels are dipped in a lye bath, then baked in the oven. This method can also be used with rolls or buns. Once lye-dipped pretzels are baked, they're totally safe (and delicious!) to eat.

How do you cook pretzilla pretzel bites in the air fryer? ›

If using oven method: Bake for 20 minutes, then flip, place on a slice of vegan cheese if using, then bake 10 more minutes. If using air fryer method: Cook for 15 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 205 degrees Celsius, then flip, place the vegan cheese, and cook 5 more minutes.

How are Auntie Anne's pretzels so good? ›

All those pretzels are made and twisted on the spot.

Auntie Anne's definitely doesn't serve pre-made pretzels! Every location receives shipments of the signature flour mixture, which is put in a mixer along with water and yeast. They're baked, brushed with real butter, salted and served right there.

Are Auntie Anne's pretzels baked or fried? ›

Products sold at Auntie Anne's franchise locations are baked fresh in-store.

Why do my homemade pretzels taste weird? ›

If your pretzels have any sort of a metallic, bitter taste, it all comes down to the baking soda bath.

What is a good substitute for lye in pretzels? ›

That is by taking baking soda, spreading it out on a baking pan and putting it into the oven at about 250-300 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour. That changes the chemical properties in the baking soda to make it behave more similarly to lye.

Is pretzel dough the same as bread dough? ›

Soft pretzels are just a yeast bread is that formed into a pretzel shape. The one big difference in pretzel making, as opposed to a regular bread, is that pretzels are boiled and then baked. It is the boiling that gives the outside of the pretzel its beautiful golden brown color and uniquely crisp and chewy texture.

What is the purpose of putting an egg wash on the pretzel? ›

Egg Wash – The egg wash on the pretzels gives them a little shine, and I find it softens the exterior a bit. For a more traditional taste, omit the egg wash and just use salt when the pretzels come out of the water bath.

How to air fry superpretzel? ›

Place frozen pretzel(s) in air fryer basket. 3. Heat pretzel(s) 4-5 minutes (Due to differences in all appliances, heating instructions may need to be adjusted.).

What kind of salt for soft pretzels? ›

Ideally, you would use pretzel salt when making pretzels. But this type of salt is not always easy to find in the store. That's why many people turn to kosher salt instead. And indeed, these two types of salt have a lot in common.

How long to heat pretzel in air fryer? ›

How to Reheat Pretzel Bites. If you want to warm up the pretzel bites in your air fryer, preheat it on 400℉/200℃ for 5-10 minutes and place the cooked pretzel bites in the basket (they do not need to be in a single layer), reduce the temperature to 300℉/150℃ and air fry them for 2-3 minutes just to warm them up.

Why is Wetzel pretzel so good? ›

Every Wetzel's Pretzels bakery lives by the original vision of its founders; that each super-premium pretzel will be crafted from fresh dough and baked in-store consistently throughout the day, to ensure a delicious offering for each customer, regardless of when the craving for a pretzel strikes.

What makes German pretzels so good? ›

Dipping the dough in a lye solution gives traditional German pretzels their characteristic salinity; chew; and smooth mahogany exterior, but the strong alkali (sodium hydroxide) is corrosive and can burn your skin, so it must be handled with caution.

What makes Philly pretzels so good? ›

Philadelphia soft pretzels are distinguished from all others by their shape (a figure-8, not loopy with a thick center and thinner ends), their texture (chewy, not crunchy), and their distribution method (look for them on street corners, not supermarkets). They come lightly salted, or, on request, as “baldies.”

Are Rold gold pretzels baked or fried? ›

Rold Gold pretzels offer a range of pretzel and snack products. All of these items are baked, not fried, and most are lactose free.

Are baked pretzels healthier than chips? ›

When you place the nutritional information of pretzels and potato chips side-by-side, you'll notice why pretzels are the healthier choice. Pretzels have less calories than potato chips and less saturated fat. As we all know, excessive calories and saturated fat can ruin a diet.

What gives pretzels their distinctive taste? ›

Lye. The dough is simple; take a basic yeast-risen dough that can be readied in an afternoon. But the trick to great pretzels is dipping the pretzels in a liquid wash before baking — and not just any wash, but a combination of water and lye. That's what gives pretzels their terrific color, texture and flavor.

What makes a pretzel roll taste like a pretzel? ›

Lye-dipped pretzels, or in this case, pretzel buns, have a distinctive flavour that is both savoury and slightly bitter. The lye, a strong alkaline solution, is used to give the pretzels their characteristic dark brown colour and chewy exterior.

Why does pretzel bread taste different? ›

They're Boiled, Not Baked.

The dough is first shaped into a long rope and then boiled in water before being baked at a higher temperature than bread. This process creates a distinctive pretzel shape and gives them their unique taste.

What is unique about pretzel dough? ›

Soft pretzels are just a yeast bread is that formed into a pretzel shape. The one big difference in pretzel making, as opposed to a regular bread, is that pretzels are boiled and then baked. It is the boiling that gives the outside of the pretzel its beautiful golden brown color and uniquely crisp and chewy texture.

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