Description
Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites are a delightful homemade snack perfect for parties or casual munching. These soft, chewy pretzel bites boast a golden crust thanks to a baking soda water bath before baking, and a flavorful finish with melted butter and coarse sea salt. Easily customizable and satisfying, they’re an irresistible treat made from scratch with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Water Bath
- ½ cup baking soda
- 9 cups water
Toppings & Finishing
- 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
- 2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make the Dough: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and melted unsalted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or dough hook until a dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Let Dough Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Boil Baking Soda Water: In a large pot, bring 9 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil.
- Shape Pretzel Bites: Punch down the risen dough, divide it into 6 equal pieces, roll each piece into a rope, and cut each rope into 1-inch bite-sized pieces.
- Boil Pretzel Bites: Working in batches, drop the pretzel bites into the boiling baking soda water and boil for 30 seconds. Then, remove them with a slotted spoon, allowing excess water to drain, and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Apply Egg Wash & Salt: Brush each pretzel bite with the beaten egg yolk wash and sprinkle coarse sea salt on top.
- Bake: Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, until they turn golden brown.
- Brush with Butter & Serve: Remove the pretzel bites from the oven and immediately brush them with melted butter. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For cinnamon sugar pretzel bites, omit the coarse salt topping. After baking, brush pretzel bites with butter and toss them in a mixture of ½ cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon.
- To freeze pretzel bites, cool them completely and store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
