How to Cook Frozen Pretzels in the Air Fryer

It’s easy to cook frozen soft pretzels in an air fryer. After just a few minutes, they turn out soft, chewy—and perfect every time.

Cooking frozen pretzels in an air fryer is quick and makes great soft pretzels. Unlike cooking them in the microwave, they turn out crisp on the outside and chewy in the center. And since air fryers heat up quickly, it’s faster than using the oven.

How to Cook Frozen Soft Pretzels in the Air Fryer. 

Here’s how to cook frozen pretzels in an air fryer. The steps are the same for regular soft pretzels, pretzel bits, and pretzel hot dogs.

1. Preheat the Air Fryer.

When using an air fryer, the best temperature to cook most frozen pretzels is 350℉. This is a lower temperature than most brands call for on the box. Since air fryers circulate hot air, it’s often best to cook foods, like frozen French fries, at a lower temp than you’d cook them in the oven to prevent them from burning.

If you’re cooking a cheese-stuffed pretzel or pretzel bites, cook them at 315℉. This temperature keeps the cheese from leaking out.

For pretzels that are crisp on the outsize, preheat your air fryer. Most models take about three minutes to preheat. If yours doesn’t have a preheat button, simple select the temperature, press start and wait three minutes.

2. Add Salt.

If you want to salt your pretzels, do this while the air fryer is preheating.

There are two ways to salt frozen pretzels. You can brush the pretzels with water and then quickly sprinkle salt over them. It’s important to work fast. Since the pretzels are frozen, water and butter set quickly making it hard for the salt to stick.

Or you can fill a small plate with a little water. Sprinkle the pretzel salt on a second plate. Place the pretzel onto the plate with water. You want to wet it but not get it soaked. Then press the wet pretzel into the salt. This method really helps the salt to stick. The drawback is you have to dirty two dishes.

3. Air Fry the Frozen Pretzels.

Place frozen pretzels into the air fryer basket or pan. There’s no need to thaw the pretzels before air frying. It’s best to place them in a single layer. If they’re stacked they can stick together as they bake. 

Cook until brown. Most frozen pretzels take about 3 minutes to cook. Follow the guide below for specific cook times.

4. Serve.

Remove the soft pretzels from the air fryer. Let them cool for about a minute or two and then enjoy. Serve them with mustard or your favorite dipping sauce.

How Long to Cook Frozen Soft Pretzels in the Air Fryer.

Here are suggested cook times for frozen soft pretzels. The cook time will vary by pretzel brand and air fryer. Cook the pretzels until brown and hot. For pretzel hot dogs, cook until the internal temperature of the hot dog reaches 165℉.

• Standard Soft Pretzel (about 4 inches): Cook for 3 minutes in a 350℉ air fryer.
  
• Large Pretzels (about 6 inches): Cook for 5 minutes in a 350℉ air fryer.
  
• Pretzel Bites and Nuggets: Cook for 4 minutes in a 350℉ air fryer.
  
• Cheese Stuffed Pretzel Sticks: Cook for 4 minutes in a preheated 325 degree air fryer.
  
• Full Size Pretzel Dogs: Cook for about 5 minutes in a 350℉ air fryer or until the internal temperature of the hot dog reaches 165℉.

Storing and Reheating Soft Pretzels.

It’s best to enjoy air fried soft pretzels right after they’re made. They can dry out when stored. If you have a few leftover, you can save them. Wrap the pretzels and store for one to two days. When you’re ready to eat, pop the pretzel in a 300℉ air fryer for about two minutes or until warm.

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Air Fryer Frozen Pretzels

It’s easy to cook frozen soft pretzels in an air fryer. After just a few minutes, they turn out soft and chewy–and perfect every time.

Prep Time 3 minutes

Cook Time 3 minutes

Total Time 6 minutes

Ingredients

• Frozen Pretzels or nuggets

Instructions

1. Preheat air fryer to 350°F. For cheese-filled pretzels, heat the air fryer to 325°F.

2. Add salt to the frozen pretzel. (optional)

3. Place pretzels into the air fryer. Don't stack them or they can stick.

   Cook until pretzels are brown and hot.

   Small pretzels: about three minutes.

   Large pretzels: about five minutes.

   Pretzel nuggets and bites: about four minutes.

   Stuffed pretzels: about five minutes cooked at 325°F.

   Pretzel Hot Dogs: about five minutes. Cook until the hot dog reaches 165°F.

4. Serve pretzels warm.

   Leftover soft pretzels can be store for 1-2 days and reheated in a 300°F air fryer.