These irresistible Pretzel Bites are soft, buttery, and perfectly bite-sized! This easy-to-make recipe is a crowd-pleaser, ideal for snacking or entertaining. Dip in beer cheese, honey mustard, or your favorite sauce for the ultimate savory treat.
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Homemade Pretzel Bites Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for a mouthwatering snack that combines the perfect blend of soft, buttery goodness with a hint of salty satisfaction, look no further than our Pretzel Bites recipe. These delightful morsels are not only a crowd-pleaser but also a breeze to make in your own kitchen.
Homemade Pretzel Bites – A Perfect Snack
Imagine sinking your teeth into warm, freshly baked soft Pretzel Bites, each one bursting with flavor and a slight crispness on the outside. Whether you’re planning a cozy movie night, a game-day gathering, or simply satisfying your snack cravings, Pretzel Bites are the answer.
The Art of Crafting Pretzel Bites
Our Pretzel Bite recipe provides step-by-step guidance on how to make these delectable treats from scratch. From mixing the dough to the final baking step, we’ve got you covered. You’ll learn how to achieve that signature softness and irresistible taste that sets homemade Pretzel Bites apart.
How to Make Soft Pretzel Bites
Discover the secrets to achieving that perfect softness in your Pretzel Bites. We’ll share tips and tricks on dough preparation, shaping, and boiling that make all the difference. Plus, we’ll reveal how to create that beautiful golden-brown exterior that’s both visually appealing and adds a delightful crunch.
Enhance Your Snacking Experience
Pair your homemade Pretzel Bites with a variety of dipping options. Whether you’re a fan of savory beer cheese dip, tangy honey mustard, or even spicy buffalo chicken dip, we’ll help you choose the perfect accompaniment for your snack.
Intrigued to try your hand at making these delicious Pretzel Bites at home? In this post, we’ll walk you through the entire process, step by step.
Get ready to impress your friends and family with your Pretzel Bite-making skills, and elevate your snacking game to a whole new level!
Pretzel Bite Recipe: Ingredients & Equipment
To make soft, buttery Pretzel Bites from scratch, you will need …
Ingredients
Pretzel dough:
- warm water (110-115°F)
- brown sugar – You can use white granulated sugar if needed. It may alter the flavor slightly, but it should work in the recipe.
- kosher salt – If you don’t have kosher salt, you can use regular table salt, but use a little less as table salt is denser than kosher salt.
- instant yeast – If you don’t have instant yeast, you can use active dry yeast as a substitute. Just make sure to activate it in warm water with a bit of sugar before adding it to the dough.
- all-purpose flour – If you prefer a different type of flour or have dietary restrictions, you can use bread flour for a chewier texture or whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor. Keep in mind that this may slightly change the texture and taste of your Pretzel Bites.
- unsalted butter – If you only have salted butter, you can use it, but reduce the amount of additional salt you add to the dough accordingly.
- vegetable oil – You can substitute with other neutral oils like canola or sunflower oil.
Soda Bath:
- water
- baking soda – Baking soda is essential for the boiling step to give Pretzel Bites their characteristic color and flavor. There isn’t a direct substitute for this specific step.
- kosher salt
Egg mixture for brushing onto the pretzels:
- egg yolk – If you need an egg yolk substitute for brushing the bites, you can use a little milk or cream. It won’t have the same richness, but it will help with browning.
- water
Note
- Remember that while these substitutions can work in a pinch, they may slightly alter the taste and texture of your Pretzel Bites. Experiment to find the combination that suits your preferences best.
- You can get creative with toppings. Besides traditional salt, you can sprinkle them with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic powder, or even shredded cheese for unique flavor profiles.
- Instead of doubling or tripling this recipe, I recommend doing separate batches to ensure it comes out just right!
Equipment
- stand mixer
- rubber spatula
- large bowl with a clean towel
- 2 large baking sheets lined with parchment paper
- large stockpot or Dutch oven
- spider strainer or slotted spoon
- pizza cutter
- small bowl and whisk
- pastry brush
Step-By-Step for the Dough
Serving Suggestions for Pretzel Bites
- Dipping Delight: Serve Pretzel Bites with an array of dipping sauces like beer cheese dip, spicy mustard, marinara sauce, or even a creamy ranch dressing. The contrasting flavors complement the soft pretzel goodness perfectly.
- Sweet Treat: For a sweet twist, dust your Pretzel Bites with cinnamon sugar and drizzle them with caramel sauce or chocolate sauce. They make for a delectable dessert or a delightful snack.
- Party Platter: Arrange Pretzel Bites on a platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing. They are a hit at parties, game nights, and gatherings, ensuring everyone can enjoy this savory snack.
- Movie Night Munchies: Make Pretzel Bites your movie night go-to snack. Pair them with popcorn and your favorite beverage for a cozy evening in.
- On-the-Go Snack: Pack Pretzel Bites in a ziplock bag for a portable snack. They’re perfect for picnics, road trips, and school lunches.
- Game Day Classic: Pretzel Bites are a must-have during sports events. Set up a Pretzel Bites station with various dips for the ultimate game day experience.
- Bite-Sized Appetizer: Impress your guests at dinner parties or gatherings by serving Pretzel Bites as a delectable appetizer. Pair them with a charcuterie board featuring cheeses, cured meats, and fresh fruits for an elegant starter that combines flavors and textures beautifully.
- Pretzel Bite Skewers: Thread Pretzel Bites onto skewers alternately with cherry tomatoes, chunks of cheese, and pieces of cooked sausage or cocktail sausages. Drizzle with a balsamic glaze or a honey-mustard sauce for a delightful and portable appetizer.
Step-By-Step for Homemade Pretzel Bites
Pretzel Bites: FAQs
Yes, they can be frozen. After baking and cooling, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be reheated in the oven or microwave when needed.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. If you want to keep them fresh for a longer time, refrigerate them. Reheat in the oven to restore their crispness.
Yes, you can make sweet Pretzel Bites by adding sugar and cinnamon to the dough and brushing them with melted butter and a cinnamon-sugar mixture after baking. These are perfect for a dessert treat.
Yes, you can make this recipe gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure that the blend contains xanthan gum or another binding agent commonly found in gluten-free baking.
Achieving the perfect texture involves proper dough preparation, boiling the bites in water, and baking at the right temperature. Following this pretzel bite recipe with precise instructions is key.
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Pretzel Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
Pretzel Dough
- 1 ½ cups warm water 110-115 F
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- Vegetable oil for greasing the bowl
Soda Bath
- 10 cups water
- ⅔ cup baking soda
Egg Mixture, for brushing bites
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon water
- Kosher salt
Instructions
Making the pretzel dough:
- Combine warm water, sugar, salt, and yeast in your stand mixer bowl. Mix together with a spatula to dissolve the yeast.
- Fit the paddle attachment to the mixer. Add in the flour and melted butter and mix until the dough comes together.
- Switch to your dough hook. Knead on low until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and turn the dough to coat. Cover the bowl and let rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This usually takes 50-60 minutes.
Cooking the bites:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking oil.
- Bring water and baking soda to a boil in a large stockpot.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently deflate. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Work with one piece at a time and roll the dough into ropes 1" inch diameter. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough in each portion into 1" bite-size segments.
- Boil for 30 to 40 seconds, stirring a couple of times to coat all the surfaces. Remember to boil the pretzel bites in the 6 batches you laid out so as not to overcrowd them. Remove the bites from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and place on the baking sheets.
- When all the pretzels are boiled, whisk together egg yolk and water. Brush the pretzel bites with egg mixture and sprinkle with salt.
- Cook in preheated oven for 9-11 minutes or until browned to your liking.
Notes
- Serve with our Beer Cheese Dip recipe, which is out of this world when combined with these bites. You can also use honey mustard, buffalo chicken dip, barbeque sauce, Ranch dressing … or really anything you find tasty!
- You can get creative with toppings. Besides traditional salt, you can sprinkle them with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic powder, or even shredded cheese for unique flavor profiles.
- Instead of doubling or tripling this recipe, I recommend doing separate batches to ensure it comes out just right!
- Pretzel Bites can be frozen. After baking and cooling, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be reheated in the oven or microwave when needed.
- Store leftover Pretzel Bites in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. If you want to keep them fresh for a longer time, refrigerate them. Reheat in the oven to restore their crispness.
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.
Originally published on July 30, 2020. Updated on January 14, 2024.
Ooooooooooohhhhh, there is a business in the next state (they have a food truck too) that makes these – they also make a sweet version which I LOVE!!! Wonder what I could change on your recipe to make sweet ones??? Maybe simply leave out the salt on the outside?? And they have a sweet glaze that you dip them in! Oh my goodness they are so good! My daughter likes them like yours – but me and my granddaughters like the sweet ones! 😀 thanks for the recipe – if you decided to experiment with the sweet version please let us know!! 🙂