Description
Follow this simple recipe to make soft, chewy pretzel bites at home, complete with a baking soda bath for authentic flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda (for the bath)
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse pretzel salt, for topping
Instructions
- Combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
- Stir in the melted butter and salt into the yeast mixture.
- Gradually add the flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Punch down the dough. Divide the dough into two equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope about 1 inch thick.
- Use a knife or bench scraper to cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces to form your pretzel bites.
- Prepare the baking soda bath by dissolving the 1/2 cup of baking soda in 8 cups of warm water in a large, shallow pot.
- Working in batches, carefully drop the pretzel bites into the baking soda bath for 30 seconds, turning once. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Brush the tops of the wet bites with the beaten egg wash and immediately sprinkle generously with coarse pretzel salt.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the sheets halfway through, until deep golden brown.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- For a cheese dip, melt 4 ounces of sharp cheddar with 1/4 cup of milk and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- If you prefer a sweeter bite, skip the salt and brush with melted butter mixed with cinnamon sugar after baking.
- Do not skip the baking soda bath; this creates the signature pretzel crust and color.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 bites
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 1.5
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 33
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 25