Soft Pretzel Bites (Easy Homemade Recipe) Recipe

Introduction

Soft pretzel bites are a delightful snack that’s crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. This easy homemade recipe lets you make restaurant-quality pretzels right in your kitchen, perfect for sharing or enjoying any time.

Ingredients

• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1¼ cups warm milk (110°-120°F)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup baking soda
• 1 large egg
• Coarse salt (or pretzel salt) for sprinkling

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly spray it with cooking spray.
2. Step 2: Pour warm milk into the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle yeast over the milk, add honey, and stir gently. Allow the yeast to bloom for 5 to 10 minutes until it becomes foamy.
3. Step 3: Bring an 8-quart pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. In a small bowl, beat the egg with 2 tablespoons of water to create an egg wash. Set aside. Clean a section of your countertop for rolling the dough, but do not flour it to ensure easier rolling.
4. Step 4: Add flour and kosher salt to the mixer bowl. Knead the dough for about 3 minutes until it forms a ball. If the dough is too sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time. The dough should be tacky but not sticky when ready.
5. Step 5: Transfer the dough to the cleaned countertop and shape it into a ball. Cut the dough into 64 roughly equal pieces by first quartering the ball. Roll each quarter into an 18 to 22-inch strand, then cut each strand into segments of 4 pieces, and then cut each piece into 4 smaller pieces.
6. Step 6: Carefully add the baking soda to the boiling water—it will bubble up, so use caution. Drop dough bites in batches of about 10 into the boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove them with a slotted spoon and place on parchment paper to cool. Repeat until all bites are boiled.
7. Step 7: Arrange the pretzel bites on the prepared baking sheet so they do not touch. Brush each piece with the egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
8. Step 8: Bake the pretzel bites for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the tops are browned to your liking.
9. Step 9: Remove from oven and enjoy your soft, chewy pretzel bites warm!

Tips & Variations

• Use pretzel salt for an authentic flavor or substitute with coarse sea salt if unavailable.
• For a cheesy twist, sprinkle shredded cheddar or parmesan before baking.
• If you do not have a stand mixer, you can mix and knead the dough by hand on a floured surface.
• Adding a bit of garlic powder or cinnamon sugar before baking can give your pretzel bites a unique flavor.

Storage

Store pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them fresh longer, freeze the cooled bites in a freezer-safe bag for up to 1 month. Reheat in a warm oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore softness and warmth.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast, but skip the blooming step and mix it directly with the flour and other dry ingredients.

How do I get soft pretzels instead of hard ones?

Boiling the dough bites briefly in baking soda water before baking creates their signature soft, chewy texture. Be sure not to overbake and keep the oven temperature high for a nice crust.

Soft Pretzel Bites (Easy Homemade Recipe) Recipe

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 60 reviews

These Soft Pretzel Bites are an easy homemade snack that delivers the classic chewy texture and salty crust of traditional pretzels in a bite-sized form. Made with simple ingredients like yeast, honey, and baking soda, these pretzel bites are boiled briefly to achieve the perfect crust before baking to golden perfection.

• Author: mia
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 64 pretzel bites 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough

• 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1¼ cups warm milk (110°-120°F)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Boiling Solution

• ½ cup baking soda
• 8 quarts water (for boiling)

Finishing

• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons water (for egg wash)
• Coarse salt or pretzel salt for sprinkling

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Activate the Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, pour in the warm milk and sprinkle the yeast over the surface. Add honey and gently stir. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is foamy, which indicates that the yeast is active.
3. Prepare Ingredients and Workspace: Fill an 8-quart pot with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. In a small bowl, beat the egg with 2 tablespoons of water to create an egg wash and set aside. Clean a section of your countertop for rolling out the dough; do not flour it, as this will make rolling more difficult.
4. Make and Knead the Dough: Add flour and kosher salt to the mixer bowl with the yeast mixture. Knead for about 3 minutes until the dough forms a cohesive ball. If the dough is too sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time until the dough is tacky but not sticky.
5. Shape the Dough: Place the dough on the clean counter and form it into a ball. Cut the dough into 64 approximately even pieces by first cutting the ball into quarters. Roll each quarter into a long strand (18-22 inches), then cut each strand into 4 equal pieces and finally each piece into 4 more pieces. A bench scraper or butter knife can be used to cut.
6. Boil the Pretzel Bites: Carefully add the baking soda to the boiling water—note that it will bubble up vigorously. Working in batches of about 10, drop the pretzel bites into the boiling water. Boil each batch for 30 seconds, then remove with a slotted spoon and place on the parchment-lined baking sheet to cool slightly.
7. Prepare for Baking: Arrange the pretzel bites spaced apart on the parchment-lined sheet. Brush each bite with the egg wash to give a shiny finish, then sprinkle liberally with coarse salt or pretzel salt.
8. Bake the Pretzels: Bake in the preheated oven for 7-9 minutes, or until the tops are a deep golden brown color.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving your freshly baked soft pretzel bites.

Notes

• If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can mix the dough by hand in a large bowl and knead on a floured surface.
• Boiling the pretzel bites in baking soda water is key to their signature chewy crust.
• Do not flour the rolling surface, as this can make the dough hard to roll.
• You can swap kosher salt for pretzel salt if you want a more authentic pretzel texture.
• Make sure the yeast is active and foamy before continuing, or the dough will not rise properly.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove pretzels from boiling water safely.

Keywords: soft pretzel bites, homemade pretzels, easy snack recipe, baking, yeast dough, pretzel recipe