Soft Pretzel Bites

1. In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer) combine approximately 2 cups (250g) of flour, brown sugar, yeast, and table salt and stir to combine.
2. Add melted butter and warm water and stir until mixture is completely combined and smooth.
3. Gradually add remaining flour as needed (plus additional as needed) until the dough begins to cling together and pulls away from the side of the bowl (if using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment for this). Dough should be slightly tacky to the touch, but not unmanageably sticky.
4. Transfer to a clean, lightly floured surface and briefly knead for 1-2 minutes until dough clings together and you have a mostly smooth ball (or you may use the dough hook attachment and mixer on low-speed for 1-2 minutes).
5. Transfer to a large, lightly oiled bowl and cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Place in a warm place to rise until doubled in size (about 30 minutes).

Boiling & Baking

1. Once dough has risen, preheat oven to 450F (230C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Prepare an egg wash by beating together 1 egg with 1 teaspoon of water and set this aside for now, too.
2. Measure 8 cups of water into a large pot, stir in baking soda, and bring to a boil. While water is coming to a boil, return to your dough.
3. Gently deflate risen dough and transfer to a clean surface. Divide into 5 pieces and roll each into a rope approximately 12” (30cm) long. If the dough is sticking to your hands, lightly flour it but too much flour can make the dough even more difficult to work with, so use sparingly.
4. Cut each rope into 1-1 ½” (2-3.5cm) bite-sized pieces and transfer to prepared baking sheet.
5. Once water is boiling, carefully lower a handful of pretzel bites into the water at a time. Boil for approximately 30 seconds (if pretzels are floating I’ll flip them and continue to boil another 15-30 seconds) then remove with a strainer or spider or pair of tongs and return to baking sheet, spacing pretzels at least 1-2” (2cm) apart. Repeat with remaining pretzel bites until all have been boiled.
6. Lightly brush pretzels with egg wash (I just do the surface that is exposed, I don’t flip them and brush the underside with egg wash, though you could) and sprinkle with pretzel salt or sea salt.
7. Transfer to 450F (230C) oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until pretzels are golden brown. Allow to cool before enjoying. Pretzels are best enjoyed warm the same day they are made.