Still hungry? Try more homemade food court favorites like these cheesy cracked-out soft pretzels and puffed caramel corn!
Why You’ll Love This Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe
These homemade soft pretzel bites are soft, chewy, and seriously irresistible. They’re just like my homemade soft pretzels, shaped into bite-sized pieces! If you’re just starting out baking with yeast, and especially if you’re as addicted to food court pretzels as I am, then this is the recipe for you. Prepare to be hooked. Here’s why:
Authentic flavor. These soft pretzel bites taste just like the giant soft pretzels you find at the mall! They’re buttery, soft, and as authentic as homemade gets. Sprinkled with salt or rolled in cinnamon sugar? Yes, puh-lease. Perfect texture. Boiling the soft pretzel dough in an alkaline bath (nothing fancy, just baking soda and water!) makes pretzel dough different from other yeasted bread recipes. It’s an easy step that gives a pretzel its classic golden-brown color and chewy texture. Beginner-friendly. Making soft pretzel bites from scratch is pretty quick by yeasted dough standards, and a lot easier than shaping full-sized pretzels. I love making these pretzel bites on a weekend afternoon in my PJs. It’s also nice to get started on the dough the day before and finish off the pretzels when you’re ready.
How to Make Soft Pretzel Bites
Here’s a short step-by-step with pictures to show you how to make the dough for soft pretzels, and shape it into delicious, chewy bites. You’ll find printable instructions in the recipe card.
Yeast – You’ll need to activate dry yeast in warm water before you start. Make sure to check the dates on the packet beforehand, to make sure that the yeast isn’t expired. Dry Ingredients – All-purpose flour, salt, and light brown sugar. Dark or granulated sugar will also work. Butter – Melted and cooled to the touch. I use salted butter, but unsalted is fine if you prefer. Baking Soda – For a baking soda bath (more on this later). Make sure you’re using baking soda and not baking powder, which isn’t the same thing. Sea Salt – If you can get your hands on pretzel salt, that works, too. Otherwise, a sprinkle of flaked or coarse sea salt gives these pretzel bites a classic finish. I also include how to make a version with cinnamon sugar later on!
Make the dough. First, activate the yeast with warm water in the bowl of your stand mixer. Meanwhile, mix the dry ingredients and add them to the yeast. Beat until an elastic dough forms. Let it rise. You’ll need to cover the dough with a dish towel and let it rise somewhere warm for 2-3 hours. Some ovens come with a proof setting, which you can use if you have one. Or, let the dough rise in the fridge overnight.
Divide and shape the dough. When you’re ready, divide and roll the dough into 8 long ropes, about 12” long by 1” wide. Then, cut the ropes into 2” pieces. These will be your pretzel “bites”.
Boil. It’s time for a quick dip in the jacuzzi! Working in batches, boil the dough bites in a mixture of water and baking soda for 30 seconds before transferring them to a lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the tops of the pretzels with salt right away, as the salt sticks best to wet dough. Bake. Finally, bake the soft pretzel bites at 450ºF for 8-9 minutes. Afterward, let them cool before serving.
Can I make pretzel dough without a mixer?
Sure! A stand mixer definitely speeds up the dough-making process, but you can mix the dough using a hand mixer, or even a wooden spoon. This pretzel dough is super approachable that way.
Make Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites
For a sweet version, make cinnamon sugar pretzels! Bake the pretzels without salt. One at a time, dip the warm baked pretzels into melted butter and then roll them in a bowl of cinnamon sugar. If needed, make your own quick and easy cinnamon sugar by mixing ½ cup of granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon.
How to Store
Store. Properly stored, soft pretzel bites will stay soft for 2-3 days at room temperature. Cover the cooled soft pretzels airtight and keep them in the pantry or on the counter. Reheat. To reheat these pretzels so that they’re soft again, I recommend sprinkling the tops of the pretzel bites with a little water and then wrapping them in foil. Warm the soft pretzels in the oven at 325ºF for 5 minutes. Freeze. You can freeze your soft pretzels for up to 2 months. Defrost them in the fridge before serving or reheating.
More Snacks and Appetizers
Pepperoni Pizza Rolls Pimento Cheese Spinach and Artichoke Dip Pigs In a Blanket Beach Bread Meatball Sub on a Stick Cheeseburger Sliders
This post was updated with new images, tips, tricks, and the full recipe in 2024. Enjoy!! Once you’ve picked your favorite dipping sauces, serve these soft pretzel bites with more tasty party snacks like cheeseburger sliders, crispy mac and cheese balls, and mini corn dogs.
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1 cup warm water (not above 110° F) 1 packet dry yeast (1/4 ounce) 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon kosher salt 2 tablespoons light brown sugar 1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled (see note) 8 cups water 1/2 cup baking soda coarse or flaked sea salt or pretzel salt, optional
Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted Cinnamon Sugar
