Description
Make soft, chewy pretzel bites in your air fryer and serve them with a rich, homemade beer cheese dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 4 cups water (for boiling bath)
- For the Dip: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- For the Dip: 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- For the Dip: 1/2 cup beer (lager or pale ale recommended)
- For the Dip: 1/2 cup milk
- For the Dip: 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- For the Dip: 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- For the Dip: Pinch of salt and pepper
- For Topping: 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)
- For Topping: Coarse salt
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
- Make the dough: Stir in the flour, melted butter, and salt into the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. Knead on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the bites: Punch down the dough. Divide it into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope about 3/4 inch thick. Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces.
- Prepare the bath: In a wide pot, bring 4 cups of water and the baking soda to a boil.
- Boil the bites: Working in batches, carefully drop the dough pieces into the boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Air fry: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Brush the boiled pretzel bites lightly with the egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Cook: Arrange the bites in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown. Repeat with remaining bites.
- Make the dip: While the pretzels cook, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 1 tablespoon flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Add liquids: Slowly whisk in the beer until smooth. Then, whisk in the milk. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly until slightly thickened.
- Melt cheese: Reduce heat to low. Remove the pan from the heat and gradually stir in the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until fully melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately with the warm beer cheese dip.
Notes
- For softer pretzels, reduce the air fryer cooking time by 1 minute.
- You can substitute the beer with non-alcoholic beer or use chicken broth for a non-alcoholic dip.
- For different toppings, try sprinkling everything bagel seasoning on the egg-washed bites before air frying.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 bites plus 2 tbsp dip
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 38
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
- Cholesterol: 35