Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

Soft pretzel bites are delightful, bite-sized versions of the classic soft pretzel. With their chewy exterior and soft, fluffy interior, they make for an irresistible snack that’s perfect for parties, game days, or simply indulging at home. This recipe guides you through creating these delicious morsels with ease.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: The dough comes together swiftly, and with minimal rise time, you’ll have fresh pretzel bites ready in about an hour.​Gimme Some Oven+2Mel’s Kitchen Cafe+2Sally’s Baking Addiction+2
• Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, there’s no need for special trips to the store.​
• Versatile: Enjoy them plain, sprinkled with coarse salt, or sweetened with cinnamon sugar.​Sally’s Baking Addiction+1Design Eat Repeat+1
• Perfect for Sharing: Their bite-sized nature makes them ideal for gatherings and sharing with friends and family.​

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Warm water​Allrecipes+2THE SIMPLE VEGANISTA+2Fleischmann’s Yeast+2
• Active dry or instant yeast​The Night Owl Chef+6Mel’s Kitchen Cafe+6Design Eat Repeat+6
• Brown sugar or granulated sugar​Sally’s Baking Addiction
• Unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled​
• Salt​
• All-purpose flour​thechunkychef.com+15Sally’s Baking Addiction+15Allrecipes+15
• Baking soda​
• Coarse sea salt (for topping)​Reddit+1The Night Owl Chef+1
• Optional: Cinnamon sugar mixture (for a sweet variation)​Design Eat Repeat+2Sally’s Baking Addiction+2This Jess Cooks+2

Directions

1. Prepare the Yeast Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water (about 110°F), yeast, and sugar. Stir until the yeast dissolves. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.​
2. Make the Dough: Add melted butter and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually add flour, mixing until a dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 3-4 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.​
3. Let the Dough Rest: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rest for 20-30 minutes until it doubles in size.​
4. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly grease them.​
5. Prepare the Baking Soda Bath: In a large pot, bring 9 cups of water to a boil. Carefully add ½ cup of baking soda (it will bubble up). Reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil.​Fleischmann’s Yeast
6. Shape the Pretzel Bites: Transfer the risen dough to a lightly floured surface. Divide it into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a 20-inch rope. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut each rope into 1.5-inch pieces.​Sally’s Baking Addiction
7. Boil the Pretzel Bites: In batches, place the dough pieces into the boiling baking soda water for 10-15 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place them on the prepared baking sheets.​Just a Taste+1Sally’s Baking Addiction+1
8. Add Toppings: While the boiled pretzel bites are still wet, sprinkle them with coarse sea salt. For a sweet variation, skip the salt; you’ll add the cinnamon sugar after baking.​This Jess Cooks+3Sally’s Baking Addiction+3Gimme Some Oven+3
9. Bake: Bake the pretzel bites for 12-15 minutes until they turn golden brown.​
10. Optional Sweet Coating: For cinnamon sugar pretzel bites, brush the warm, baked pretzels with melted butter and then roll them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.​Design Eat Repeat+1Sally’s Baking Addiction+1
11. Serve: Enjoy the pretzel bites warm, optionally paired with dips like cheese sauce or mustard.​Sally’s Baking Addiction+1Southern Living+1

Servings and Timing

• Servings: Approximately 5 dozen pretzel bites​Sally’s Baking Addiction
• Prep Time: 40 minutes​
• Cook Time: 15 minutes​Gimme Some Oven
• Total Time: 1 hour​

Variations

• Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites: After baking, brush the pretzel bites with melted butter and toss them in a cinnamon-sugar mixture for a sweet treat.​
• Cheesy Pretzel Bites: Before baking, sprinkle shredded cheese over the pretzel bites for a gooey, savory twist.​
• Everything Bagel Pretzel Bites: Top the pretzel bites with everything bagel seasoning instead of coarse salt for a flavorful variation.​This Jess Cooks+2Design Eat Repeat+2Sally’s Baking Addiction+2

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.​
• Reheating: To reheat, place the pretzel bites on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes. If reheating from frozen, extend the time to 10 minutes or until heated through.​The Night Owl Chef

FAQs

How do I know if my yeast is active?

After mixing the yeast with warm water and sugar, let it sit for about 5 minutes. If it becomes frothy or bubbly, the yeast is active and ready to use.​

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can use instant yeast. It doesn’t require proofing, so you can mix it directly with the dry ingredients.​

Why is the baking soda bath necessary?

The baking soda bath gives pretzels their characteristic chewy texture and deep brown color by gelatinizing the exterior.​Sally’s Baking Addiction+1Gimme Some Oven+1

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to one day. Allow it to come to room temperature before proceeding with shaping and baking.​

How can I prevent my pretzel bites from sticking to the baking sheet?

Using parchment paper and lightly greasing it helps prevent sticking. Also, ensure excess water is drained off after the baking soda bath.​

Can I freeze the pretzel bites?

Absolutely. Once cooled, place them in

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