Description
These Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites are fluffy, golden, and perfectly salty treats that are easy to make at home. Made with a simple dough of flour, yeast, and butter, these bite-sized pretzels are boiled briefly in a baking soda solution to achieve their signature chewy texture before baking to a beautiful golden brown. Brushed with a rich egg wash and optional melted butter, they make a perfect snack for any occasion when served warm.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115°F) milk or water
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 (0.25-ounce) package active dry yeast
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
- 2 tablespoons melted butter, plus extra for brushing
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
Boiling Solution
- 9 cups water
- 1/3 cup baking soda
Topping
- 1 large egg (whisked with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash)
- Pretzel salt or coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Mix the dough: Whisk together the warm milk and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the top and allow it to sit for 5 minutes until the yeast foams and activates.
- Knead the dough: Add the flour, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Mix with a spoon until combined, then knead by hand for about 4 minutes until the dough is smooth, adding more flour if sticky. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook on medium speed for 4 minutes until smooth.
- Let the dough rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm place for 20 to 30 minutes until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat oven and prepare boiling solution: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. In a large stockpot or saucepan, combine 9 cups of water with 1/3 cup baking soda and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Form the pretzel bites: Turn the risen dough onto a lightly oiled surface and divide into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a 3/4-inch wide rope, then slice the rope into 1-inch pieces to form individual pretzel bites.
- Boil the pretzel bites: Carefully place about a dozen bites at a time into the boiling baking soda water for 30 seconds. Use a slotted spatula or spider strainer to remove them and transfer to the prepared parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them apart so they do not touch.
- Apply egg wash and salt: Brush each pretzel bite with the whisked egg and water mixture, then sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt or pretzel salt.
- Bake: Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes until they turn a deep golden brown. Remove the baking sheets and place them on wire racks to cool slightly.
- Optional butter brush: For extra buttery flavor, immediately brush the hot pretzel bites with additional melted butter after removing from the oven.
- Serve warm: These pretzel bites are best enjoyed fresh and warm, ideally the same day they are baked. Serve straight from the oven for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Make sure the liquid is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Adding extra flour during kneading can help if the dough is too sticky, but add sparingly to keep the pretzels soft.
- Boiling the pretzel bites in baking soda water is key for their characteristic chewy crust and flavor.
- Use pretzel salt or coarse sea salt for the authentic salty topping—table salt is too fine and can dissolve quickly.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute melted butter and milk with plant-based alternatives but note it may affect flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: soft pretzel bites, homemade pretzels, snack recipes, baking, buttery pretzels
