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- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F) - 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons) - 4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded - 2 jalapeños, seeds removed and finely chopped - Coarse sea salt for topping - 1 tablespoon sugar - Air fryer - Mixing bowl - Baking soda for the soaking solution When making air fryer jalapeño cheddar pretzel bites, you need specific items. The main ingredients start with warm water. This helps activate the yeast. Active dry yeast is key for that fluffy texture. Next, use all-purpose flour. It provides the structure for the dough. Sharp cheddar cheese adds rich flavor. For flavor, chop two jalapeños finely. They bring a nice kick to the bites. Coarse sea salt adds that perfect finish. You will also need sugar to balance the flavors. Gather essential tools too. An air fryer cooks these bites to a golden crisp. A mixing bowl is needed for combining ingredients. Lastly, use baking soda for the soaking solution. This step gives the pretzel bites their signature taste. These ingredients and tools are simple yet vital. They help create the perfect snack that your friends and family will love. First, grab a large mixing bowl. Pour in 1 ½ cups of warm water. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 packet of active dry yeast. Mix it gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes. You want it to get bubbly. Then, mix in 4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of salt. Knead the dough until it feels soft and smooth. This is key for a good texture. Now comes the fun part! Add 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 2 finely chopped jalapeños into the dough. Mix it well until the cheese and jalapeños are evenly spread throughout. This gives each bite a nice kick and cheesy flavor. Cover your bowl with a damp cloth. Let the dough rise in a warm place for 30 minutes. It should double in size. After it has risen, punch it down gently to release air. Divide the dough into small pieces, about the size of a marble. Roll each piece into a small log. Twist the ends to make a pretzel shape or keep it as a simple bite. Next, let's prepare the baking soda bath. In a large bowl, dissolve ½ cup of baking soda in a cup of hot water. Dip each pretzel bite into this solution for about 30 seconds. After that, place them on a lightly greased surface. Brush each bite with a beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Place the pretzel bites in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 8-10 minutes until they are golden brown and cooked through. Enjoy your tasty bites! To make great pretzel bites, you must activate the yeast properly. Mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about five minutes. You should see bubbles forming. This shows your yeast is active. If not, start again with fresh yeast. Kneading is key for a soft dough. Knead the dough for about five minutes. You want it smooth and elastic. If it feels too sticky, sprinkle a bit of flour. Just don’t add too much. Adjusting the jalapeño amount helps control the spice. If you like it hot, use more jalapeños. For milder bites, reduce the amount. Remember, removing the seeds also lowers the heat. Different cheese blends can also change the taste. Sharp cheddar gives a strong flavor. Try pepper jack for a spicy kick or gouda for a rich taste. Mix cheeses if you want more depth. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Place the bites in a single layer. This helps them cook evenly. You may need to air fry in batches. For even cooking, preheat the air fryer. Set it to 375°F (190°C). This helps the bites cook quickly and become golden brown all around. Check them halfway through and shake the basket for best results. {{image_2}} You can easily switch up the cheese in these pretzel bites. Instead of sharp cheddar, try pepper jack for a spicy kick. Gouda adds a nice creaminess. Mixing in different cheeses gives you a fun flavor twist. You can even combine them for a gourmet bite. Want more heat? Add crushed red pepper flakes to the dough. This simple step boosts the spice level. You can also mix in a few dashes of hot sauce for extra flavor. Adjust the spice to your taste. This way, you can make them mild or fiery. If you need a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour. Many brands work well as a substitute. Just make sure to follow the package instructions for best results. Your pretzel bites will still be soft and tasty. Enjoy all the flavor without the gluten! To store your leftover Air Fryer Jalapeño Cheddar Pretzel Bites, place them in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh and prevents them from drying out. Store them in the fridge for up to three days. Before eating, you can warm them up in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain that crispy texture. If you want to save your pretzel bites for later, freezing is the way to go. Place cooled pretzel bites in a freezer-safe bag or container. Make sure to remove as much air as possible before sealing. They can last in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat, simply pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F for about 5-7 minutes. This helps maintain their crunch while warming them through. These tasty bites are best enjoyed fresh but can last up to three days in the fridge. After cooking, they lose some crispness but still taste great. If you freeze them, they keep their flavor and texture well for about three months. Always check for any signs of spoilage before eating, especially if stored for longer periods. Yes, you can make these pretzel bites ahead of time. First, prepare the dough and shape your pretzel bites. After shaping, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Then, cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate. This keeps them fresh for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to eat, take them out, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, and then air fry them. To reheat your pretzel bites, set your air fryer to 350°F. Place the bites in the basket in a single layer. Reheat for about 3-5 minutes. This method keeps them crispy and warm. You can also use an oven at 350°F. Just place them on a baking sheet and heat for 5-10 minutes. Pretzel bites taste great with many dipping sauces. Here are some popular choices: - Cheese sauce - Spicy mustard - Honey mustard - Ranch dressing - Sriracha mayo Choose what you love best for a fun flavor boost! Yes, you can! If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake these pretzel bites in the oven. Preheat your oven to 425°F. After dipping the bites in the baking soda solution, place them on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown. In this post, we explored how to make delicious air fryer pretzel bites. We covered the ingredients, including warm water, yeast, flour, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños. You learned step-by-step instructions from dough prep to air frying. We discussed tips to perfect the dough and variations for flavor. Lastly, I shared storage tips to keep your bites fresh. Enjoy making these tasty snacks! They’re fun to prepare and sure to please everyone. Try them with your favorite dipping sauce for a treat.

Air Fryer Jalapeño Cheddar Pretzel Bites

Indulge in the deliciousness of Air Fryer Jalapeño Cheddar Pretzel Bites! These easy-to-make bites combine the zesty flavor of jalapeños with rich cheddar, creating a perfect snack for any occasion. In just under an hour, you can enjoy warm, golden pretzels right from your air fryer. Ready to elevate your snacking game? Click through for the full recipe and enjoy these cheesy, spicy delights!
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Ingredients
  

1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)

1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast

1 tablespoon sugar

4 cups all-purpose flour

½ cup baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

2 jalapeños, seeds removed and finely chopped

Coarse sea salt for topping

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions
 

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

    Gradually mix in the flour and salt, kneading to form a soft dough. Work in the cheddar cheese and chopped jalapeños until evenly distributed.

      Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise in a warm place for 30 minutes, or until it doubles in size.

        Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

          Once risen, punch the dough down and divide it into small pieces, about the size of a marble.

            Roll each piece into a small log, then twist the ends to form a pretzel shape or simple bite.

              In a large bowl, dissolve the baking soda in a cup of hot water. Dip each pretzel bite into the baking soda solution for about 30 seconds, then place them on a lightly greased surface.

                Brush each pretzel bite with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

                  Place the pretzel bites in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to do this in batches.

                    Air fry for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

                      Remove from the air fryer and let cool slightly before serving.

                        Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 4-6