Air Fryer Copycat Auntie Anne’s Pretzels

Nothing beats the golden, chewy texture and sweet, buttery taste of an Auntie Anne’s pretzel. But who has the time — or the spare change — to head to the mall every time a craving hits? The good news: you don’t have to. With your air fryer and a handful of pantry staples, you can make a copycat version that tastes just like the original, right in your own kitchen.

These homemade soft pretzels are one of my favorite air fryer snacks. They’re easy enough for a weeknight, fun to shape with the kids, and endlessly customizable — go classic with coarse salt or sweet like my Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels. If you love a warm soft pretzel, this is the recipe to bookmark.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tastes like the mall original — soft and chewy inside, golden outside.
• Just six core ingredients you likely already have.
• No deep fryer, no boiling pot to babysit — the air fryer does the work.
• Two flavors from one dough — salted or cinnamon sugar.
• Family-friendly — even picky eaters reach for seconds.

A Little About Auntie Anne’s

Auntie Anne’s has been around since 1988 and has grown into the world’s largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise. The brand built its reputation on fresh snacks made from simple ingredients — from the Original and Cinnamon Sugar pretzels to pretzel dogs — all hand-rolled, twisted, and baked to that signature chewy-with-a-crunch finish. This recipe recreates that experience at home, with the air fryer standing in for the mall oven. And if you want to go all in, pair them with my Copycat Auntie Anne’s Cheese Dip for the full food-court experience.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a few straightforward ingredients to pull these off. Full measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Warm water: Or warm beer, for a deeper, malty flavor.
• Instant dry yeast: Active dry yeast works too.
• Granulated sugar: Swap in brown sugar for a slightly sweeter pretzel.
• All-purpose flour: Use a gluten-free 1:1 blend for gluten-free pretzels.
• Kosher salt: For the dough.
• Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature.
• Baking soda: For the bath that gives pretzels their classic color and flavor.
• Pretzel salt or coarse salt: For finishing.

How to Make Air Fryer Copycat Auntie Anne’s Pretzels

Here are the simple steps. Each one is quick, and the full directions plus nutrition are in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Proof the Yeast

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm water (or beer), yeast, and sugar. Stir briefly to combine, then let it sit for 5–7 minutes until foamy and bubbly. This tells you the yeast is alive and ready to work.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Add the flour and kosher salt to the bowl. Using the dough hook, mix on low until the dough starts to come together, then increase to medium and knead for about 5 minutes, until a smooth ball forms. If the dough sticks to the sides, add flour one tablespoon at a time until it pulls away cleanly. A little stickiness at the very bottom is fine.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. This rise is what gives the pretzels their soft, pillowy interior, so don’t skip it.

Step 4: Shape the Pretzels

Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times to bring it together. Divide into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 22 inches long, then twist into the classic pretzel shape: form a U, cross the ends twice, and press them onto the bottom of the loop. (Prefer poppable bites? Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces instead, just like my Air Fryer Bite-Size Pretzels.) Repeat with the remaining dough.

Step 5: Give Them a Baking Soda Bath

In a large bowl, whisk together the warm water and baking soda until dissolved. Dip each shaped pretzel into the bath until fully submerged, handling gently so it keeps its shape. This quick bath is the secret to that deep golden color and authentic pretzel flavor. Meanwhile, spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or line it with parchment.

Step 6: Air Fry

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Arrange the pretzels in a single layer and cook for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re a deep golden brown. Keep an eye on them toward the end and peek if needed — they can go from golden to too dark quickly.

Step 7: Butter, Salt, and Serve

As soon as they come out, brush generously with melted butter and sprinkle with pretzel salt or coarse salt. For cinnamon-sugar pretzels, stir together 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, dip the buttered pretzels into the mixture, then serve warm.

Pro Tips for the Best Copycat Pretzels

• Butter twice if you like: a light brush before shaping and again after cooking keeps them tender and flavorful.
• Don’t skip the rise — it’s the difference between soft and dense.
• Preheat the air fryer so the pretzels cook evenly and brown nicely.
• Watch the clock near the end; coarse salt added right after buttering sticks best.
• Work in batches and keep finished pretzels warm in a 200°F oven while the rest cook.

What to Serve With Soft Pretzels

A good dipping sauce turns these into a party-worthy snack. My go-to is a warm, cheesy Copycat Auntie Anne’s Cheese Dip, but these are all easy crowd-pleasers:

• Caramelized onion dip — slow-cooked onions folded into cream cheese and sour cream with a little garlic and onion powder.
• Honey mustard — equal parts honey and mustard with a pinch of garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
• Creamy ranch — mayo, sour cream, garlic powder, dried dill, and fresh chives.
• Beer cheese — simmer beer, whisk in shredded cheese until melted, then season with Worcestershire, nutmeg, and paprika.

How to Store and Reheat

• To store: Keep cooled pretzels in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature for 2–3 days.
• To freeze: Freeze cooked pretzels in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
• To reheat: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 1–2 minutes. Add the pretzels, brush with a little melted butter for freshness, and air fry for 3–5 minutes until warm and lightly crisp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these without a stand mixer? Yes. Mix and knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Why do pretzels need a baking soda bath? The alkaline bath is what gives pretzels their signature deep-brown color and distinctive flavor. Skipping it leaves you with plain bread rather than a true pretzel.

Can I make cinnamon sugar pretzel bites instead? Absolutely. Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces before the baking soda bath, air fry for a slightly shorter time, then toss in butter and cinnamon sugar. You can also try my dedicated Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels for a shortcut version.

How do I cook store-bought frozen pretzels in the air fryer? Preheat to 350°F, arrange the frozen pretzels in a single layer, and cook 2–3 minutes for snack-size or about 7 minutes for full soft pretzels, until golden and warmed through. I’ve got full guides for Air Fryer Auntie Anne’s Frozen Pretzels and Air Fryer SuperPretzel Soft Pretzels too.

Can I make these gluten-free? Use a gluten-free 1:1 all-purpose flour blend. Texture will differ slightly but the method stays the same.

More Air Fryer Pretzel Recipes to Try

If you can’t get enough soft pretzels, here are a few more Fork to Spoon favorites to add to your list:

• Air Fryer Bite-Size Pretzels — poppable, party-perfect, and kid-friendly.
• Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels — sweet, warm, and ready in minutes.
• Air Fryer Auntie Anne’s Frozen Pretzels — straight from the freezer to golden brown.
• Air Fryer SuperPretzel Soft Pretzels — the easy store-bought shortcut.
• Air Fryer Pretzel Bites with Pizza Dough — a clever no-fuss hack.
• Copycat Auntie Anne’s Cheese Dip — the dip that started it all.