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)
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup water (for boiling bath)
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse salt, for topping
- For the Dip: 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup beer (lager or pale ale recommended)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, melted butter, and salt. Pour in the yeast mixture and mix until a shaggy dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth.
- Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 1 inch thick. Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces to form the bites.
- Prepare the boiling bath: Mix the 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup water in a wide, shallow dish.
- Dip each pretzel bite into the baking soda solution for 10 seconds, turning to coat both sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a parchment-lined tray.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Brush the dipped bites lightly with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Working in batches, place the bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring space between them. Air fry for 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
- While the bites cook, make the dip: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and beer until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat. Stir in the cheddar, Monterey Jack, garlic powder, and cayenne until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Serve the hot pretzel bites immediately with the beer cheese dip.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic dip, substitute the beer with an equal amount of chicken broth or extra milk.
- If your air fryer basket is small, you may need to cook the bites in several batches. Do not overcrowd the basket.
- To reheat leftover bites, place them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes. Reheat the dip gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk if it thickens too much.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying and Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe (bites + dip)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 18
- Cholesterol: 55