Learn how to make delicious soft pretzel bites. They’re kid-friendly and so easy to make at home. Make them for an afternoon snack or as a party appetizer.
We’ve been making these homemade soft pretzels at our house for years and they’re always a huge hit. When I first started making them I would make them as actual soft pretzels but over the years we’ve decided we actually prefer making them as pretzel bites because they’re more fun to eat!
All you really need is yeast, water, sugar, salt, flour and baking soda! If you’ve never baked with yeast before this is a great place to start. Grab a stand mixer and let it do all the heavy kneading for you!
How To Make Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites Step by Step
To make these pretzels you just need to follow a few simple steps:
- Activate the yeast with sugar in some warm water.
- Add a little melted butter, some salt and flour and mix until dough forms.
- Let it rest.
- Divide the dough and roll into cylinders, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Boil in a baking soda bath.
- Paint with egg yolk, sprinkle with salt and bake!
Homemade Soft Pretzels
Watch my six-year-old make a batch of our favorite soft pretzel bites!
Here’s the recipe!
PrintSoft Pretzel Bites Recipe
Learn how to make delicious soft pretzel bites. They’re kid-friendly and so easy to make at home. Make them for an afternoon snack or as a party appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 3 tsp active dry yeast
- 22 ounces flour, approximately 4½ cups
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- large pot of water
- approximately 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 large egg yolk + 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Combine the water, sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam.
- Add the flour and butter knead using the dough hook for about 5 minutes.
- Spray a clean bowl with oil, add dough ball and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rest for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add baking soda.
- Meanwhile, divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a long rope. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Drop pretzels into the boiling water, a few at a time, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula or a slotted spoon.
- Place on a baking sheet, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with salt or cinnamon & sugar if desired.
- Bake 10-12 minutes.
Notes
I use all-purpose flour or a half AP/half white whole wheat.
Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites FAQs
Why do you boil soft pretzels before baking?
Boiling the pretzels makes the dough puff up which helps give them their chewy interior while also helping the outside for a nice brown crust.
What gives soft pretzels their flavor?
Boiling them in an alkaline bath (traditionally lye but many home cooks use baking soda) is what gives them their signature chewy crust and traditional pretzel flavor!
How to form soft pretzels
If you want to make traditionally shaped pretzels instead of pretzel bites, roll the dough into a rope, make an upside-down U shape and then cross the sides over each other twice and then fold the ends towards the middle of the U shape and gently press to connect. Here’s a great video on how to shape pretzels.
What to serve with pretzel bites?
We usually just eat our soft pretzels plain but they’re also really great dipped in a simple cheese dip. Here’s an easy cheese sauce for pretzels.
What are good soft pretzel toppings?
You can’t go wrong with a sprinkle of kosher salt but if you’re looking for other options try:
- cinnamon and sugar
- melted butter mixed with garlic powder and parmesan
- diced jalapenos and shredded cheddar cheese
Is pizza dough the same as pretzel dough?
While they aren’t exactly the same, they’re usually made with very similar ingredients. If you were to roll out pizza dough, cut into pretzel bites and do the baking soda bath, you’d probably get a pretty similar result.
How do you store soft pretzels?
Ours rarely last long enough to store, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container on the counter for 2-3 days. You can reheat them to serve again by putting them on a plate, covering with a damp paper towel and microwaving 15-30 seconds.
Will you try to make these pretzel bites? Let us know how they turn out!
PS. These are a great party appetizer. If you need more, try:
Enjoy!
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