Soft Pretzel Bites
User Reviews
5
Soft Pretzel Bites
Description
Soft Pretzel Bites start with a yeast-leavened dough made from warm water, sugar, kosher salt, and a blend of flours, kneaded until smooth. After two rises to develop their airy texture, the dough is divided and rolled into long strands then cut into bite-sized pieces. The key step is briefly boiling the bites in baking soda water, which creates their classic chewy crust. Once baked, they can be sprinkled with coarse salt or other toppings like cinnamon sugar or sesame seeds. The result is tender bites with a slightly crisp browned exterior and a mild, slightly sweet flavor.
The method involves mixing, rising, shaping into small pieces, baking soda boiling, and baking. Adjusting flour amount while kneading ensures a non-sticky dough, and two rises provide the soft crumb. These bites can be served warm as appetizers or snacks, complemented by dips like mustard or cheese sauce.
If made ahead, the dough can rise overnight in the refrigerator, then brought to room temperature before shaping for convenience. Leftover pretzel bites keep for up to 2 days stored airtight at room temperature, though salt toppings may dissolve; brushing with melted butter and adding fresh salt can refresh them.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water 100°F - 110°F, warm
- 2 ¼ tsp instant yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tsb sugar
- 2 ½ - 3 cups flour (divided)
- 1 ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 1 egg
Pretzel toppings (optional)
- salt
- cinnamon sugar
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the warm water, yeast, and brown sugar. Mix on low until the yeast is evenly distributed and the brown sugar has dissolved— about 30 seconds.
- With the mixer on low, slowly add 2 cups of flour and kosher salt. Add the remaining 1/2 cup flour slowly and stop adding additional flour when the dough no longer sticks to the side of the bowl.
- Allow the dough to knead for 2-3 minutes, or until is has formed a smooth ball. If the dough starts to stick to the sides of the bowl again, add a little bit more flour.
- Form the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Place it in a warm spot to rise for one hour. Punch the dough down and reform it into a ball. Allow it to rise for another hour.
- Once the dough has doubled from its original size, cut it onto quarters and roll the quarters into long strands— about 18” long and 1/2” thick. Cut pretzel bites of your desired size. ( I like 1" long bites)
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- While your oven is preheating, bring a large pot of water to a boil— make sure to only fill the pot half full so it doesn’t boil over when cooking the pretzels.
- Once the water is boiling, SLOWLY add the baking soda and stir it to ensure the baking soda has dissolved. Turn the heat down to medium-high so the water stays at a gentle boil rather than a rolling boil.
- Add a few pretzel bites to the boiling water and allow them to cook for 45 seconds per side— make sure not to crowd the pan. You want the pretzel bites to cook evenly on all sides.
- Remove the boiled pretzel bites to a parchment lined baking sheet and repeat with the remaining pretzel bites. Making sure the pretzel bites are at least 1” apart.
- Beat the egg in a small bowl with a splash of water to create an egg wash. Brush the tops of the pretzels lightly with egg wash. If using salt or sesame seeds, add them now. If using cinnamon-sugar, do not add anything on top of the egg wash.
- Bake the pretzels in a pre-heated oven for 15-18 minutes or until they are a deep brown color.
- Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- The baking soda boil is essential for creating the classic pretzel crust texture and color.
- For better convenience and flavor, prepare the dough a day ahead and let it rise overnight in the refrigerator.
- Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days; salt toppings may dissolve over time.
- If using active dry yeast instead of instant, proof the yeast with warm water and sugar for five minutes before mixing.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 333 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 15bites | |
| Calories | 333kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 65g | 22% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 41mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 2655mg | 111% |
| Potassium | 167mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 59IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 23mg | 2% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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