Air Fryer Soft Pretzels

To Make the Pretzel Dough

1. Add 1 1/2 cups warm water and active dry yeast to a small bowl. Stir briefly and allow to sit for 5 minutes to "puff" up.
2. After proofing, pour the yeast mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add salt and flour and knead with the dough hook attachment for 7 to 8 minutes. Instead of a stand mixer, you can also knead by hand for 10 to 12 minutes on a lightly floured flat surface.
3. Cover the dough bowl with a clean kitchen towel. Allow to sit at room temperature until the dough has doubled in size (about an hour).

To Form the Pretzels

1. Separate dough into portions that weigh about7 ounces. When you roll it and stretch it into a rope, the dough should be able to make a circle that is about 8 1/2 inches in diameter.
2. Take one end of the dough in each hand. Leave the middle of the dough on the counter and twist the ends around each other.
3. Flip the twist so that the twist is now inside the circle and you have a pretzel shape. Pinch to seal the ends of the twist to the round part of the pretzel.

To Cook the Pretzels

1. Line the air fryer basket with foil and preheat air fryer to 380°F.
2. Mix together 2 cups warm water and 2TB baking soda in a large bowl. Dunk each pretzel in this alkaline water, then move to a towel lined plate or baking sheet to dry briefly before cooking.
3. Place one pretzel in the air fryer, sprinkle with salt, and cook for 5-6 minutes, until golden brown.
4. Remove from air fryer and brush with melted butter.
5. Repeat until all pretzels are cooked.