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Air Fryer Pretzel Dogs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 187 reviews

These Air Fryer Pretzel Dogs feature soft homemade pretzel dough wrapped around juicy hot dogs, boiled briefly in baking soda water for that signature pretzel texture, and then air fried to a golden brown. Perfectly salty and chewy, they make a delicious snack or meal with a fraction of the oil used in traditional frying methods.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 3/4 cup warm water (110 to 115 degrees F)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon butter (melted)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Boiling Solution

  • 10 cups water
  • 2/3 cup baking soda

Topping and Filling

  • 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
  • Pretzel salt or kosher salt (to taste)
  • 10 hot dogs

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: Combine the warm water and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Make Dough: Add the flour, melted butter, and kosher salt to the yeast mixture. Using the dough hook attachment on low speed, mix until combined. Increase to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add flour a spoonful at a time if the dough is sticky until it clears the bowl, then continue kneading.
  3. Let Dough Rise: Remove the dough from the bowl and place it into a clean, oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm spot for about 50 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
  4. Prepare Boiling Solution: In a deep pot, bring the 10 cups of water and baking soda to a rolling boil. This alkaline bath is essential for creating the traditional pretzel crust.
  5. Shape Pretzel Dogs: While the water heats, divide the dough into 10 equal portions. Roll each piece into approximately 12-inch ropes. Wrap one dough rope around each hot dog, leaving a little of the dog exposed at each end; press dough ends together to seal.
  6. Preheat Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 370°F (188°C) and preheat for 5 minutes while you boil the pretzel dogs.
  7. Boil Pretzel Dogs: Carefully place pretzel dogs one at a time into the boiling baking soda water. Boil for 30 seconds to help develop the signature pretzel crust. Boil only as many dogs as fit in your air fryer basket at one time.
  8. Prepare for Air Frying: Remove boiled pretzel dogs with a slotted spoon and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture, and sprinkle generously with pretzel or kosher salt.
  9. Air Fry the Pretzel Dogs: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Arrange pretzel dogs in the basket, leaving space for air circulation. Air fry at 370°F for about 6 to 7 minutes, or until dark golden brown.
  10. Cool: Transfer air-fried pretzel dogs to a cooling rack and let sit for at least 5 minutes before serving to set texture.
  11. Repeat: Repeat the boiling and air frying steps with remaining pretzel dogs while the first batch cools.
  12. Serve: Enjoy the pretzel dogs hot for the best combination of soft dough and juicy hot dog.

Notes

  • Ensure water temperature for activating yeast is between 110-115°F for optimal yeast activation.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow for even cooking and crisping.
  • If dough is sticky, add flour sparingly to avoid tough pretzels.
  • Let pretzel dogs cool slightly before eating to avoid burns from hot filling.
  • Substitute pretzel salt with coarse kosher salt if unavailable.
  • This recipe can be doubled or halved based on batch size and air fryer capacity.

Keywords: air fryer pretzel dogs, homemade pretzel dogs, air fryer hot dogs, pretzel dough, easy snack, baking soda bath pretzels, quick pretzels

Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/air-fryer-pretzel-dogs-recipe/