Pretzel Bites Recipe

Pretzel Bites with Cheese

I have to admit, I think I am addicted to warm, soft pretzels (like these full size Bavarian pretzels AND these German soft pretzels!). And this pretzel bites recipe is GOOD!! Like eat the whole container of them good. These pretzels are even better dipped in this creamy beer cheese dip. Pretzel bites and cheese elevates the flavor to a whole new level of YUM.

The dough on these homemade pretzels comes together pretty quickly and they are baked right in your own oven. This means no more trips to the mall just to grab an Auntie Anne’s pretzel, you can have these chewy, golden pretzels at home. My kids especially love these as an after school snack, even my daughter who claims to “hate” pretzels.

I recommend eating these pretzels bites within a couple days, but good luck getting them to last that long…ours certainly don’t. I barely got these photographed before they disappeared. Make these soft pretzels for game day, parties, or any time you want to eat something delicious.

Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites Ingredients

• Flour – All-purpose flour works perfectly.
• Yeast – Instant yeast makes the dough rise quickly.
• Sugar – I used light brown sugar.
• Butter – Unsalted butter, melted but not hot.
• Egg – Lightly beaten.
• Baking Soda – This doesn’t get mixed into the dough. It’s added gently to boiling water, then each pretzel bites is dropped in for a little bath.
• Coarse Salt – For sprinkling on top. Can use pretzel salt.

How to Make Pretzel Bites

Just follow these steps to have chewy, soft pretzel bites within an hour.

How to Make Pretzel Bites Recipe Dough

1. Proof Yeast: This step isn’t necessary because this recipe uses Instant Yeast, but I do it out of habit. In the bowl of stand mixer, combine together warm water and sugar then sprinkle yeast on top. Let sit for a minute. Next add in salt, flour, and butter.
2. Knead dough: Mix on low speed with dough hook attachment (or by hand). Raise speed and continue to mix dough for 4 to 5 minutes till the dough is no longer sticking to the sides of the bowl.

How to Make Dough into Bites

1. Make pieces: After letting dough rise for 30 minutes, separate the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll into ropes that are about 15 inches long. Cut ropes into 1 inch long pieces. Optional: You can cut an “X” or 2 lines into the top of pretzel to help them expand evenly.
2. Boil pretzel bites: Gently add around 10 pretzel bites in boiling baking soda and water mixture and boil for about 30 seconds. Remove from the water bath and place on baking sheets that have been lined with parchment paper and sprayed with cooking spray. Make sure pretzel bites are not touching.
3. Egg Wash: Brush the tops of the dough with beaten egg and sprinkle with sea salt.
4. Bake pretzel bites: Bake in preheated oven at 425 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Pretzels should be dark brown. Transfer pretzel bites to cooling rack. Allow them to cool for at least 5 minutes before enjoying.

Soft Pretzel Bites Tips

• Baking soda doesn’t go into the dough.  Add baking soda to the boiling water to quickly boil unbaked pretzel bites.
• You can make this recipe by hand without a stand mixer. You just need to put in a little elbow grease.

Storage Instructions for Pretzel Bites

• How to Refrigerate Pretzel Bites: Let the bites cool and put in a glass container or BPA-free airtight plastic container or zipper bag. The pretzel bites should last about 4 days in the fridge, but will not be nearly as fresh. Prepared pretzel bite dough can be stored in the fridge for a day.
• How to Store Pretzel Bites at Room Temperature: Store baked pretzel bites at room temp for 2-3 days.
• How to Freeze Pretzel Bites: Let the bites cool off completely before putting into an airtight glass, BPA-free freezer-safe bag or freezer-safe plastic container. You can also store prepared dough in the freezer. Make sure to label the bites or dough with the recipe name and date. The bites or dough should last about 3 months in the freezer.
• How to Thaw Pretzel Bites: Thaw the frozen pretzel dough or bites on a plate in the refrigerator overnight. Let the dough come up to room temperature before using.
• How to Reheat Pretzel Bites: Reheat cold pretzel bites in the microwave for a few seconds at a time until desired warmth is reached.

Try these other recipes!

• Beer Cheese Dip
• Spaghetti Squash
• Fresh Tomato Sauce

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Pretzel Bites Recipe

By: Tristin @ Home Cooked Harvest

5 from 2 votes

Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites are a perfect snack to satisfy that salt craving.  Making bread can seem intimidating, but with this easy pretzel bites recipe you can make mall-style pretzels right at home.

Prep Time: 20 minutes mins

Inactive Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

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Ingredients 

• ▢ 1 1/2 cups warm water
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon light brown sugar
• ▢ 1 package instant yeast, (2 1/4 teaspoons)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, lightly melted
• ▢ 3 3/4 – 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ olive oil, greasing bowl and dough
• ▢ 10 cups water , for boiling
• ▢ 1/2 cup baking soda
• ▢ 1 large egg , beaten with 1 Tablespoon of water
• ▢ coarse salt

Instructions 

• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm water and sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and allow it to sit for 1 minute. Next add in salt and melted butter. Stir until just combined. Add in 3 3/4 cups of flour, one cup at a time, mixing with dough hook attachment for stand mixer. Dough should pull away from sides within 4 -5 minutes. If it is still sticky, add 1/4 at a time until dough bounces back if touched.
• Take dough out of bowl, clean the bowl if it's needed and coat it with oil. Return dough to the bowl and cover with a clean tea towel or plastic wrap. Place in a warm area for around 30 minutes or until dough has doubled in size.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment thats been lightly sprayed with cooking spray.
• In an 8 quart sauce pan, bring 10 cups of water and baking soda to a boil.
• Put dough onto a flat, floured surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope of about 15-20 inches. With a sharp knife, cut the dough into one inch pieces. Optional- Using scissors, you can cut a small "x" in each pretzel bite.
• Place around 8-10 pretzel bites into the boiling water and let boil for about 30 seconds. Set a timer to keep from overcooking. Remove pretzel bites from the water and place onto the prepared baking sheets. Be mindful that the pieces are not touching. Brush each pretzel bite with the egg wash. Sprinkle with coarse salt.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Let pretzel bites cool for around 5 minutes before eating. Serve with Beer Cheese Dip.

Last step! I love hearing from you!Share a picture of the recipe on Instagram and hashtag it #homecookedharvest.

Recipe Notes

• Baking soda doesn’t go into the dough.  Add baking soda to boiling water to quickly boil unbaked pretzel bites.
• Store baked pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

 

* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 5g, Calories: 323kcal (16%), Carbohydrates: 65g (22%), Protein: 9g (18%), Fat: 2g (3%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Cholesterol: 18mg (6%), Sodium: 1580mg (69%), Potassium: 100mg (3%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 52IU (1%), Calcium: 21mg (2%), Iron: 4mg (22%)

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