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Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Ranch Pretzel Bites (Easy 20-Min Recipe)

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These Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Ranch Pretzel Bites are a quick and easy snack made with refrigerated biscuit dough, bacon, ranch seasoning, and cheese. They come together in under 20 minutes and are perfect for game days, movie nights, or any gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
  • 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg
  • Coarse sea salt or pretzel salt

Instructions

  1. Prep the Dough: Open the can of refrigerated biscuits and separate them. Place them on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut each biscuit into 4 equal pieces (like cutting a cross into the dough). You should have about 32 small dough pieces total. Place them on a plate or baking sheet and set aside.
  2. Make the Pretzel Bath: Fill a large pot with about 6 cups of water and bring it to a rolling boil. Once boiling, carefully add the 1/4 cup of baking soda. Warning: The water will foam up aggressively when you add the baking soda, so don’t lean over the pot and add it slowly. Give it a quick stir to dissolve.
  3. Boil the Dough: Working in batches of 6-8 pieces, gently drop the dough pieces into the boiling water. Let them boil for exactly 30 seconds—no longer, or they’ll get too dense. Use a slotted spoon to carefully flip them over halfway through. The dough will puff up slightly and get a slightly gelatinous sheen. That’s exactly what you want.
  4. Dry and Arrange: Using the slotted spoon, transfer the boiled dough pieces to a plate lined with paper towels. Pat them dry gently—this helps the toppings stick. Arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each piece for air to circulate. Don’t overcrowd; you’ll likely need to cook them in 2-3 batches.
  5. Make the Ranch Butter: In a small bowl, combine the 2 tablespoons of melted butter with the 1 tablespoon of ranch seasoning mix. Stir until well combined. In another small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to make the egg wash.
  6. Brush and Top: Using a pastry brush, lightly brush each dough piece with the egg wash. Then, brush a thin layer of the ranch butter on top. Sprinkle each piece with a pinch of coarse sea salt, then top with a generous pinch of shredded cheddar cheese and a few bacon bits. Press the toppings down gently so they stick.
  7. Air Fry: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Cook for 6-8 minutes, or until the pretzel bites are golden brown, puffed up, and the cheese is bubbly and melted. Check them at the 5-minute mark—air fryers can vary, and you don’t want burnt bottoms. The tops should be a deep golden brown, and the cheese should be slightly crispy at the edges.
  8. Repeat: Transfer the cooked pretzel bites to a serving plate and repeat with the remaining batches. Serve immediately—they’re best hot and fresh, while the cheese is still gooey.

Notes

Don’t overboil the dough—stick to 30 seconds. Pat the dough dry after boiling to help toppings stick. Don’t skip the egg wash for a glossy finish. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. For make-ahead, boil dough pieces up to 4 hours in advance and refrigerate before air frying.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer, pretzel bites, bacon ranch, easy snack, game day, appetizer, quick recipe

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/crispy-air-fryer-bacon-ranch-pretzel-bites-easy-20-min-recipe/