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The key to great Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites lies in the ingredients. Here’s what you need: - 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F) - 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar - 4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon salt - ⅓ cup baking soda - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted - ½ cup granulated sugar (for cinnamon sugar) - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - Coarse sea salt (for sprinkling) Each ingredient plays a special role in making these bites soft, sweet, and delicious. The warm water helps activate the yeast. The yeast makes the dough rise and gives it that fluffy texture. Sugar adds sweetness while the flour forms the base of the dough. Salt enhances the flavors, and baking soda adds that lovely pretzel taste. Butter gives a rich taste and helps the cinnamon sugar stick. Lastly, the cinnamon sugar mix and coarse salt bring all the flavors together. Make sure you have these items ready before you start. This will help you stay organized and make the process smooth. Enjoy the fun of creating these tasty bites! To start, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. You will see bubbles form. This means the yeast is active. Next, gradually mix in flour and salt. Stir until the dough forms. Then, knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes. The dough should feel smooth and elastic. Now, place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a damp cloth. Let the dough rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour. It should double in size. This step is vital for fluffy pretzel bites. Once the dough has risen, punch it down. Divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 1 inch thick. Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces. These will be your pretzel bites. Next, bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Add baking soda to the boiling water. Carefully drop the pretzel bites in batches for 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove them. Let them drain before moving to the next step. Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (190°C). Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush melted butter onto each pretzel bite. Roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place the bites in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer. Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes. They should turn golden brown. Enjoy your warm, sweet treats! - Proper kneading techniques: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes. Use your palms to push down and fold the dough. This builds gluten, which helps the pretzels rise and stay soft. - Ensuring correct rising conditions: Place the dough in a warm spot. Cover it with a damp cloth to keep moisture in. Let it rise until it doubles in size. This usually takes about 1 hour. - Adjusting cinnamon sugar proportions: For a sweeter bite, use more sugar in your mix. A ½ cup of sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon works well. Taste your mixture before rolling the pretzels in it. - Timing for air frying: Air fry the pretzel bites at 370°F for 8 to 10 minutes. Check them halfway through. They should look golden brown and smell amazing when done. - Creative serving suggestions: Arrange the warm pretzel bites on a platter. Serve them with a small bowl of cream cheese dip or chocolate sauce. This adds fun and makes them even more tasty. - Dipping sauce options: You can try different dips like mustard or caramel sauce. Each dip brings a new flavor, making your snack more exciting! {{image_2}} You can easily change the flavor of your pretzel bites. One fun idea is to add chocolate chips or nuts. Just mix them into the dough before you knead it. This gives you a sweet and crunchy twist. You can also try adding different spices. For example, nutmeg or ginger can spice things up. Get creative and make your pretzel bites unique. Dipping sauces can elevate your pretzel bites. A cream cheese dip adds a rich taste. To make it, mix cream cheese with a bit of sugar and vanilla. You can also try different chocolate sauce options. Melt dark, milk, or white chocolate for a sweet dip. Each sauce brings its own joy to the table. If you need gluten-free pretzel bites, you can adapt the recipe. Use gluten-free flour blends instead of all-purpose flour. Many blends work well for this recipe. Make sure to check the package instructions. You may need to adjust the liquid. This way, you can still enjoy warm, soft pretzel bites without gluten. To keep your pretzel bites fresh, use an airtight container. Glass or plastic containers work well. These keep moisture in and air out. Store them in the fridge for up to three days. If you prefer, you can store them at room temperature for one day. Just remember, they taste best when fresh! You can reheat your pretzel bites in two ways. The oven is my favorite method. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the bites on a baking sheet and heat for about 5-7 minutes. This keeps them crispy. You can also use the microwave. Heat them for about 15-20 seconds. But be careful; they may become chewy. To freeze your pretzel bites, let them cool completely first. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Put the sheet in the freezer for about an hour. This prevents them from sticking together. After that, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They will stay fresh for up to three months. When you want to eat them, thaw the bites in the fridge overnight. Reheat them in the oven or microwave as mentioned above. Enjoy your tasty snack anytime! Yes, you can make pretzel bites ahead of time. After shaping the dough, let the bites cool. Then, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze them. Just remember to thaw them before air frying. This way, you can enjoy warm pretzel bites anytime. If your dough doesn’t rise, check the yeast. It may be old or inactive. Make sure your water is warm, not hot. Yeast needs warmth to activate. If it’s too cold or too hot, the yeast may die. Try again with fresh yeast and the right temperature. Pretzel bites are done when they are golden brown. You can check by looking at their color. They should have a nice, even brown hue. You can also tap them; they should sound hollow inside. This means they are cooked through. Yes, you can use instant yeast. It works well and doesn’t need to be proofed. Just mix it directly with the dry ingredients. Instant yeast may make the dough rise faster, so watch it closely. Adjust the rising time as needed. If you don't have baking soda, you can use baking powder. However, the texture may change. Baking soda gives pretzel bites their unique flavor and chewy texture. If using baking powder, double the amount. Keep in mind the result may not be the same. In this blog post, we covered how to make delicious pretzel bites from scratch. You learned about essential ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and important tips for success. I shared variations to try and how to store leftovers properly. Now, it’s time to enjoy your tasty treats! With these easy steps and helpful tips, you can make pretzel bites that everyone will love. Happy baking!

Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

Indulge in the deliciousness of Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites! These easy-to-make treats combine warm, soft pretzels with a sweet cinnamon sugar coating, perfect for snacking or entertaining. Discover the simple recipe that leads you through making these delightful bites in no time. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, these pretzel bites are sure to impress. Click through to explore the full recipe and start your baking adventure!
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Ingredients
  

1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)

1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) active dry yeast

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

⅓ cup baking soda

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

½ cup granulated sugar (for cinnamon sugar)

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Coarse sea salt (for sprinkling)

Instructions
 

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.

    Gradually add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms.

      Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

        Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

          Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (190°C).

            In a small bowl, mix together the ½ cup granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Set aside.

              After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 1 inch thick.

                Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces to make bite-sized pretzel bites.

                  In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water and the baking soda to a boil. Carefully add the pretzel bites in batches to the boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and let drain.

                    Brush the melted butter onto each pretzel bite, then roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.

                      Place the coated pretzel bites in the air fryer basket (spread out in a single layer, working in batches if necessary) and air fry for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

                        Once cooked, remove from the air fryer and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

                          - Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 15 mins | 1 hr 30 mins | 4-6 servings

                            - Presentation Tips: Serve warm, arranged on a platter, with a small bowl of cream cheese dip or chocolate sauce on the side for added indulgence. Enjoy!