Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Pretzel Bites

These Auntie Anne's cinnamon pretzel bites are copycats of your favorite mall pretzel bites. With just five ingredients and less than ten minutes of preparation time, you can enjoy freshly baked cinnamon pretzel bites any night of the week.

Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Pretzel Bites taste like they came straight from a mall bakery; yet they are so easy to make at home!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Who doesn't love the soft and sweet taste of Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Pretzel Bites? These easy air fryer 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.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Recipe
• Ingredients for Cinnamon Pretzel Bites
• How to Make Cinnamon Pretzel Bites
• Serving Suggestions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Tips for Success
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Food Safety
• Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
• Connect with Smells Like Delish!
• 📖 Recipe
• Cinnamon Pretzel Bites

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!

This copycat Auntie Anne's cinnamon bites recipe is very easy to make, even for a beginner cook.

• Frozen Bavarian 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.

Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Cinnamon Pretzel Bites

I've put together this copycat Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Pretzel Bites recipe so you can make them at home! Read on to find out how you can make this sweet treat in no time at all.

Step 1. Prepare Pretzel Bites Cinnamon Sugar

In a small bowl, mix together the pretzel bites cinnamon sugar mixture.

Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 2. 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 300 F regular oven.

Bake 2 minutes in the air fryer or 5 minutes in the conventional oven. Remove and set on a cutting board.

Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 2. Slice the Bavarian Pretzel Sticks

Slice each of the warmed up Bavarian pretzel sticks diagonally into fourths.

Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 3. 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.

Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 4. 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.

Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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 as a dip for your cinnamon pretzel bites, and enjoy the churro flavors of cinnamon and chocolate.

For more awesome snacking treats, see our Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bark, Hot Cocoa Dip, and Christmas Gourmet Popcorn.

Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Substitutions

Use any brand of frozen or bakery pretzel sticks. If you are really ambitious, you can even make your own pretzel dough. I've also use frozen bread dough for similar delicious results!

Cinnamon is a BIG DEAL. Most cinnamon sold is actually cassia, a less sweet variety of the cinnamon bark family. Cassia is awesome in savory dishes like biriyani.

True cinnamon though, is the Ceylon cinnamon, and it is preferred for baking. It's working hunting it down. Penzey's has it, and you can also get it from Amazon.

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:

• Nuwave 6 qt Air Fryer
• Cookie sheet with rack, set - if using a regular oven instead of an Air Fryer.

Storage

If you have any leftovers, store them in a covered plastic container for a day or two.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 point to avoid harmful compounds
• Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love

Connect with Smells Like Delish!

Be sure to follow us on our social media accounts.

📖 Recipe

Like this recipe? Be sure to share it, pin it, or add it to your collection!