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These Air Fryer sourdough discard pretzel bites are soft, chewy, golden brown, and packed with classic pretzel flavor and texture. They’re the perfect way to use up sourdough discard while creating a fun snack that’s great for game day, parties, or after-school treats- just like my Air Fryer pizza bombs.
Made with simple pantry ingredients and cooked in the Air Fryer, these bite-sized pretzels come out beautifully browned on the outside while staying soft and fluffy on the inside. Serve them with mustard, cheese sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce for a snack everyone will love.
If you’ve been looking for creative ways to use your sourdough discard, this recipe is a must-try. The discard adds a subtle tangy flavor that makes these pretzel bites taste even more like traditional bakery-style soft pretzels.
Plus, the Air Fryer makes the cooking process quicker and easier than baking large batches in the oven. If you don’t have sourdough discard, try my classic Air Fryer pretzel bites, which I made with just some pantry staples.
Quick Look At This Recipe
✨ Flavor: Soft, chewy, buttery pretzels with a slight sourdough tang.
⏱️ Prep time: 20 minutes
🔥 Cook time: 8-10 minutes for each batch.
⏲️ Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes.
👥 Servings: 35-40 pretzel bites.
🥄 Tools: Mixing bowl, saucepan, slotted spoon, and Air Fryer
❄️ Freezer friendly: Yes- just like my Air Fryer two ingredient bagels.
👩🏻🍳 Tip: Don’t skip the baking soda bath. It’s what gives pretzel bites their signature chewy texture and deep golden color.
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Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is a great way to use extra sourdough discard.
- It is easy to customize with sweet or savory toppings. I love making a batch with my homemade Everything Bagel seasoning.
- It is perfect for parties, game day, or snacking- like my Air Fryer grilled cheese roll ups.
Recipe Ingredients
- Bread flour: To get that perfect chewy texture that pretzels are known for. I used this to make my Air Fryer homemade donuts too.
- Sourdough discard: Helps the pretzel bites fluff up and get that slight tangy flavor.
- Egg: To brush over the tops and lend them that beautiful golden brown color.
- Baking soda: For the baking soda bath, which gives the bites that iconic chewy texture.
- Instant yeast: To help the pretzel bites get soft and fluffy.
- Butter: To add richness to the dough.
- Sugar + salt: To season.
See recipe card for quantities.
Variations
- Brush the warm pretzel bites with melted butter and sprinkle with garlic powder and freshly grated Parmesan cheese to lend them a delightful cheesy, garlicky flavor.
- To turn them into a nice sweet treat, brush them with some melted butter and sprinkle some homemade cinnamon sugar over them before serving.
- Replace the pretzel salt with sesame seeds for a nutty flavor and added crunch.
How to Make Air Fryer Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites
- Combine warm water, sugar and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add in the melted butter, sourdough discard and salt and mix.
- Add in the bread flour and mix.
- Scrape the edges of the bowl and prepare a soft dough.
- Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until nice and smooth.
- Cover and let it rest for 45-60 minutes at room temperature or until it doubles in size.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and divide into 5-6 portions. Roll into a log and cut into 1 inch bites.
- Transfer to a parchment paper lined sheet. Add to a pot of boiling hot water with baking soda and cook for 20 seconds.
- Remove and transfer to a lightly greased Air Fryer basket.
- Brush with whisked egg and sprinkle some coarse sea salt. Air fry at 350 for 8-10 minutes.
Serving Ideas & Suggestions
These Air Fryer sourdough discard pretzel bites are best served warm while they’re still soft and chewy- just like Air Fryer pretzel dogs. They make a great appetizer, game day snack, party food, or afternoon treat.
They also pair well with soups, chili, sandwiches, and on charcuterie boards along with Air Fryer stuffed mini peppers, Air Fryer pesto pinwheels or Air Fryer honey garlic chicken wings for a fun and satisfying meal.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Don’t skip the baking soda bath. It’s essential for authentic pretzel flavor and texture.
- Use a slotted spoon to safely transfer the dough from the baking soda bath.
- Avoid overcrowding the Air Fryer basket. I always keep this in mind when I’m making Air Fryer soft pretzels too- it’s key to getting that golden brown color.
- If your Air Fryer basket tends to stick, use perforated parchment paper before you cook these pretzel bites.
- Check the pretzel bites at the 8-minute mark, as cooking times can vary between Air Fryer models. Look for a nice golden brown color on the outside.
Recipe FAQs
Store cooled pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat in the Air Fryer at 325 degrees F for 2 to 3 minutes until warm and soft.
Allow the pretzel bites to cool completely before transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
More Air Fryer Snacks and Appetizers
Appetizers
Air Fryer Fried Pickles
Air Fryer Recipes
Air Fryer Bacon Pigs in a Blanket
Appetizers
Air Fryer Hot Pockets
Side Dishes
Air Fryer Avocado Fries
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a STAR ⭐️ RATING in the COMMENTS 📝 SECTION below.
Air Fryer Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites
Ingredients
Pretzel dough
- 110 g sourdough discard
- 180 g warm water
- 7 g instant yeast
- 250 g bread flour
- 12 g granulated sugar
- 28 g melted butter
- 6 g salt
Baking soda bath
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 4 cups water
Topping
- 1 egg
- coarse sea salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
- Add the sourdough discard, melted butter, and salt. Stir to combine. Mix in the bread flour until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 5–7 minutes until smooth and slightly tacky. If the dough feels overly sticky, add additional flour 1 tablespoon at a time until it becomes easy to handle.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it. Allow it to rise in a warm place for 45–60 minutes, or until puffy.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Divide it into 5–6 equal portions.
- Roll each portion into a rope about 12–15 inches long. Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces.
- In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a gentle boil. Carefully add the baking soda. The mixture will bubble up.
- Working in batches, boil the pretzel bites for 20–30 seconds. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate.
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Brush the pretzel bites with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Place the bites in a single layer in the Air Fryer basket, leaving a little space between them. Air fry at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, or until the pretzel bites are deep golden brown. Repeat with the remaining batches.
Notes
- Bread flour provides the best chewy texture.
- Don’t skip the baking soda bath.
- Pretzel bites freeze well for future snacking.
- Try garlic Parmesan, cinnamon sugar, or Everything Bagel seasoning variations.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
