Description
Make soft pretzel bites shaped like hearts using this simple recipe. This guide includes instructions for the dough, the baking soda bath, and shaping the hearts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 5 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse salt for topping
Instructions
- Combine warm water and 1 tablespoon sugar in a bowl. Sprinkle yeast over the top and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Pour the yeast mixture and vegetable oil into the dry ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth.
- 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 (230°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare the baking soda bath: Dissolve the 1/2 cup baking soda in 8 cups of warm water in a wide, shallow pan.
- Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 1/2 inch thick.
- To shape the hearts: Cut the rope into 3-inch segments. Take one segment and bend the ends inward to form a U-shape. Cross the ends over each other once, then gently pull the bottom point upward to create the heart shape.
- Working in batches, briefly dip each heart shape into the baking soda bath for 20 to 30 seconds, turning once. Do not leave them in too long.
- Use a slotted spatula to remove the pretzels and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Brush the tops of the pretzels with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse salt.
- Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, rotating the sheets halfway through, until deep golden brown.
- Serve warm with your preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
- For a richer color and flavor, you can substitute the egg wash with a mixture of 1 egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water.
- If you prefer a softer pretzel, reduce the baking soda bath time to 15 seconds per piece.
- If you do not have coarse salt, use regular table salt, but use less.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 14 min
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 bites
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 1.5
- Saturated Fat: 0.3
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 39
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
- Cholesterol: 15