These copycat Auntie Anne's Cinnamon sugar pretzel bites are soft, chewy, and coated in cinnamon sugar. Cinnamon pretzel bites are perfect for parties, game nights, or just a quick treat at home dipped in chocolate or cream cheese sauce!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Who doesn't love the soft and sweet taste of Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Pretzel Bites? These easy cinnamon pretzel bites are a quick snack that packs big flavor.
From the delectable cinnamon aroma that wafts through the air when you walk into a mall food court, to the comforting warmth from its freshly-baked cinnamon sugar bites - this classic treat is always a favorite.
- Easy to make: This recipe is very easy to follow. You can make these cinnamon pretzel bites in your air fryer or in your oven also.
- Delicious: These cinnamon pretzel bites are absolutely delicious. They are soft, chewy, and perfectly coated in cinnamon sugar. They are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Versatile: You can serve cinnamon pretzel bites for a variety of occasions. They are perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a quick snack at home. You can these and serve with caramel or chocolate for Cinco De Mayo, home movie night, Superbowl and game nights, and any other party.
- Fun to eat: Cinnamon pretzel bites are so much fun to eat. They are the perfect size for a bite-sized snack, and they are so delicious that you will want to eat them all!
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ingredients for Cinnamon Pretzel Bites
- How to Make Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Pretzel Bites
- Cinnamon Pretzel Bites Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment
- Storage & Reheating
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Food Safety
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- 📖 Recipe
- Connect with Smells Like Delish!
Ingredients for Cinnamon Pretzel Bites
Baking these cinnamon pretzel bites at home is actually much easier than you might think - all it takes is a few ingredients to make your own version of Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Pretzel Bites that will transport your taste buds!
Here's what you need to make copycat Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Sugar pretzel bites:
- Frozen Bavarian Soft Pretzel Sticks - (Kroger, Schwann's, and several other grocers carry them).
- Cinnamon, ground - The Ceylon cinnamon is more flavorful and sweeter than the typical Cassia cinnamon. Check the label to be sure. Cassia is fabulous for savory dishes, but for baking, you will like Ceylon better.
- Brown Sugar - dark or light, no difference.
- Granulated white sugar
- Butter - or margarine if you prefer.
- Chocolate Dip - Try our Bailey's Chocolate Ganache, it's the perfect dip for these cinnamon pretzel bites!
PRO TIP: Don't want to use frozen soft pretzels? No problem! Grab some ready made pizza dough from Trader Joe's and roll out into four long ropes. Cut each rope into 10 to 12 nuggets and let rise until doubled. Then, brush with butter and bake according to the instructions below.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Pretzel Bites
Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Pretzel Bites taste like they came straight from a mall bakery; yet they are so easy to make at home! Read on to find out how you can make this sweet treat in no time at all.
Prepare Cinnamon Sugar For Pretzel Bites
- In a small bowl, mix together the pretzel bites cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar.
- Add the cinnamon. Mix well and set aside for later.
Warm up Bavarian Pretzel Sticks
- Remove the frozen Bavarian pretzel sticks from the package. Place in the air fryer at 320 F, or a preheated 400 F regular oven.
- Bake 2 minutes in the air fryer or 5 minutes in the conventional oven. Remove and set on a cutting board.
Slice the Bavarian Pretzel Sticks
- Slice each of the warmed up Bavarian pretzel sticks diagonally into four or five pieces.
Brush with Warm Butter
- Put a few tablespoons of butter in a microwave safe bowl, cover with a paper plate or paper towel, and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir to let the butter finish melting.
- Using a basting brush, brush the diagonally cut pretzel bites and return to the air fryer for another minute. If using the conventional oven, return to the 300 F oven for another 3 minutes.
Toss with Cinnamon Sugar
- Pour the prepared cinnamon sugar for pretzels into a plastic bag. Using tongs, toss in 6 to 8 toasted pretzel bits into the bag and shake to coat with the cinnamon sugar. Repeat to cover all the pretzel bites.
- Serve immediately while hot with your favorite dips like chocolate sauce, hot fudge, caramel sauce, or cream cheese icing sauce!
Cinnamon Pretzel Bites Serving Suggestions
These copycat Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Pretzel bites are perfect served just as they are, dusted with delicious cinnamon sugar. Or, use our Bailey's Chocolate Ganache or Hot Cocoa Dip to dip your cinnamon pretzel bites in. Enjoy the Churro flavors of cinnamon and chocolate.
For More Air Fryer Snacks see our recipes for:
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions
Use any brand of frozen or bakery soft pretzel sticks. If you are really ambitious, you can even make your own pretzel dough. I've also use frozen bread, pizza dough, and canned biscuits for similar delicious results!
Variations
If you love these cinnamon pretzel bites, then you may love some of the other variations I have made:
- Garlic & Herb Pretzel Bites - This is my favorite air fryer pretzel variation, I'm a garlic lover. Use some garlic powder, garlic salt, a dash of black pepper, and some crushed dry chives to toss your toasted, buttered pretzel bites in.
- Buttermilk Ranch Pretzel Bites - I use a packet of Buttermilk Ranch dressing and dip mixture to toss my toasted, buttered pretzel bites in.
- Cheddar Pretzel Bites - Use either some of the powdered cheese mixture that comes in an inexpensive box of Macaroni & Cheese, cheese flavored popcorn seasoning, or purchase some powdered cheddar cheese mix (Amazon sells it). Toss the buttered pretzel bites in a few tablespoons of the powdered cheddar cheese mixture.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. This recipe will let you get the same results from either an Air Fryer or a Conventional oven (including toaster ovens). A few of my favorite Air Fryer options are:
- Cookie sheet with rack, set - If using a regular oven instead of an Air Fryer.
- Nuwave Brio Air Fryer - Rotisserie - Grill - This 15 quart countertop Smart Oven has three slide in trays, that all can be used at the same time. You can air fry rotisserie chickens, an SO mush more!
- Nuwave Air Fryer 15 quart - This large family size basket air fryer has room to air fry enough for a large family!
- Gourmia Digital Air Fryer 6 quart - This basket style air fryer will handle four frozen waffles in the air fryer.
- Ninja Foodie Pro Air Fryer - Folds up out of the way on your counter.
- Nuwave Air Fryer 3 quart - This compact basket air fryer is perfect for singles or a small family of 2 or 3. You can air fry two frozen waffles in 4 minutes.
- Oil Sprayer - This is a perfect sprayer for spritzing a light coating of oil on vegetables, meats, and other prepared frozen foods before air frying. The tiny amount of oil ensures you get as amazing results as deep frying and roasting, with a fraction of the calories and splatter!
Storage & Reheating
These Auntie Anne's Cinnamon pretzel bites are best served warm, but they can also be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Tips for Success
Here are some additional tips for making the best copy cat Auntie Anne's cinnamon bites in the air fryer:
- Make sure to cut the pretzel sticks into evenly sized nuggets. This will ensure that they cook evenly.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you put too many pretzel bites in the basket, they won't cook evenly.
- Keep an eye on the pretzel bites while they are cooking. They can burn quickly, so it is important to check.
- Serve these copycat Auntie Anne's cinnamon pretzel bites warm with a side of your favorite dipping sauce, such as chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, or cream cheese sauce.
- Make cinnamon sugar up in advance in a pint mason jar! You will use it all year long on toast, pretzel bites, and to sprinkling on frosted cookie tops!
Frequently Asked Questions
You can, but you will need to pop back in the oven or air fryer to refresh them. You may also want to toss them in cinnamon sugar a second time.
Yes, you can use fresh pretzels instead of frozen. Just cut them into 1-inch nuggets and proceed with the recipe as usual.
Yes, you can cook these cinnamon pretzel bites in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake the pretzel bites for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with butter and coat with the cinnamon sugar. Serve warm and enjoy!
Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking pointto avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Pretzel Bites
Equipment
- Nuwave 6 quart Air Fryer For Air Frying
- Large Rimmed Cookie sheet with cooling racks For Oven Baking
Ingredients
- 10 Bavarian pretzel sticks frozen or fresh
- 4 oz butter melted
- ¾ cup brown sugar light or dark
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoon cinnamon Ceylon, ground
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix well and set aside for later.¾ cup brown sugar, ¾ cup granulated sugar, 3 tablespoon cinnamon
- Remove the frozen Bavarian pretzel sticks from the package. Place in the air fryer at 320 F, or a preheated 300 F regular oven. Bake 2 minutes in the air fryer or 5 minutes in the conventional oven. Remove and set on a cutting board10 Bavarian pretzel sticks
- Slice each of the warmed up Bavarian pretzel sticks diagonally into fourths.
- Put a few tablespoons of butter in a microwave safe bowl, cover with a paper plate or paper towel, and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir to let the butter finish melting.4 oz butter
- Using a basting brush, brush the diagonally cut pretzel bites and return to the air fryer for another minute. If using the conventional oven, return to the 300 F oven for another 3 minutes.
- Pour the prepared cinnamon sugar for pretzels into a plastic bag. Using tongs, toss in 6 to 8 toasted pretzel bits into the bag and shake to coat with the cinnamon sugar. Repeat to cover all the pretzel bites.
- Serve immediately with our Bailey's Chocolate Ganache as a dip.
Video
Notes
- Don't over cook, you want your pretzel bites to still be soft, not too crunchy.
- Make cinnamon sugar up in advance in a pint mason jar! You will use it all year long on toast, pretzel bites, to sprinkling on frosted cookie tops!
- Use our Bailey's Chocolate Ganache as a dip for your cinnamon pretzel bites.
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