Description

Soft pretzel bites are a delightful snack with a chewy interior and a golden, salty crust. Made from a simple yeast dough, these bites are boiled briefly in baking soda water to achieve their signature texture before being baked to perfection. Perfect for dipping in mustard, cheese sauce, or your favorite spreads, these homemade pretzel bites are a crowd-pleasing treat ideal for parties or casual snacking.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

1 1/2 cups warm water (around 100°F)
2 1/4 teaspoons instant or active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter (melted)
3 3/4 to 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for work surface)

Boiling Solution

1/2 cup baking soda
9 cups water

Topping

Coarse salt for sprinkling

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Instructions

Activate Yeast: In the bowl of your stand mixer, whisk together the warm water, yeast, and brown sugar. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy, indicating it is active.
Mix Dough Ingredients: Add salt, melted butter, and 3 cups of the flour to the yeast mixture. Beat on low speed using a dough hook for 1 minute, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
Add More Flour: Add 3/4 cup more flour and continue beating on low speed until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 2 minutes. If the dough is still very sticky, add the remaining 1/4 cup flour and beat for an additional minute.
Knead Dough: Knead the dough on low speed in the mixer for 2 more minutes or knead by hand on a floured surface for 2 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Let Dough Rise: Cover the dough bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 30 minutes to allow the dough to rise slightly.
Preheat Oven: While the dough rests, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Shape Pretzel Bites: Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 20-inch rope on a floured surface. Cut each rope into 1.5-inch segments to form the pretzel bites.
Boil Bites: In a large pot, bring 9 cups of water and 1/2 cup baking soda to a boil over high heat. Boil the pretzel bites in batches for 10 to 15 seconds, being careful not to overboil to avoid a metallic taste.
Drain and Salt: Remove the bites with a slotted spoon and drain excess water. Place them on the prepared baking sheets and immediately sprinkle with coarse sea salt while still wet.
Bake Pretzel Bites: Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F for 15 minutes or until golden brown and crisp on the outside.
Serve: Serve the soft pretzel bites warm, accompanied by your favorite dipping sauces.

Notes

Boiling the pretzel bites briefly in baking soda water is key to achieving their characteristic chewy crust and distinct flavor.
Be careful not to boil the bites too long to avoid an unpleasant metallic taste.
If you don’t have a stand mixer, the dough can be kneaded entirely by hand.
These pretzel bites are best served fresh and warm but can be reheated in the oven for crispiness.
Feel free to customize toppings with cinnamon sugar, sesame seeds, or everything bagel seasoning for variety.