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Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites
4.7 from 1,536 votes

Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites offer bite-sized pieces of chewy pretzel dough boiled in baking soda water then baked to golden perfection. Served with a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, the salty dough pairs well with optional cinnamon sugar topping or cream cheese frosting variations. The dough is kneaded and proofed before shaping, providing a soft interior and slightly crispy exterior typical of soft pretzels.

Prep Time
2 hrs
Cook Time
18 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 18 mins
Servings: 10
Calories: 181 kcal
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Soft Pretzels:
  • 1 1/2 cups water warm
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 active dry yeast 2 1/4 teaspoons, package
  • 3 ounces butter melted, unsalted
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • vegetable oil
  • 3 quarts water
  • 1/3 cup baking soda for boiling the pretzels
  • 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water, whole
  • sea salt coarse
For the cheese sauce:
  • ½ Tablespoon butter unsalted
  • ½ Tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup milk
  • 8 ounces cheddar cheese grated

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. For the Pretzels: Combine the 1 1/2 cups water, sugar, yeast, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix with the dough hook until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  2. Add the salt and flour and mix on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl, about 3 to 4 minutes. If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Remove the dough from the bowl, place on a flat surface and knead into a ball with your hands.
  3. Oil a bowl with vegetable oil, add the dough and turn to coat with the oil. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.
  4. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  5. Bring the 3 quarts of water to a boil in a small roasting pan over high heat and carefully add the baking soda. It will boil over, so add slowly and be careful!
  6. Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a flat surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, about 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 ounces each. Roll each piece into a long rope measuring 22 inches and shape. Cut the dough into one inch pieces to make the pretzel bites. Boil the pretzel bites in the water solution in batches. We did about 15 bites at a time. Boil for about 30 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon. Place pretzel bites on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Make sure they are not touching. Brush the tops with the egg wash and season liberally with the salt. Place into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown.
  7. Remove to a baking rack and let rest 5 minutes before eating. Serve with cheese sauce.
To make the cheese sauce:
  1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the Cheddar cheese until smooth and all of the cheese is melted. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Notes

  • To make cinnamon sugar pretzel bites, omit the salt and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar instead.
  • Prepare a cream cheese frosting with cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk for a sweet dip option.
  • The consistency of the cream cheese frosting can be adjusted by adding more powdered sugar for thickness or milk for thinning.

Nutrition Information

Calories 181kcal (9%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 10 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 181

% Daily Value*

Calories 181kcal 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.