Irresistibly Fluffy & Crunchy Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe

Warm, golden soft pretzel bites with a perfect sesame seed recipe spark joy in every bite.

These delectable morsels deliver a crispy exterior that gives way to a tender, pillowy center.

Salt crystals dance across the surface, promising a delightful crunch with each nibble.

The aroma of freshly baked pretzels fills your kitchen, creating an irresistible temptation.

Crafted with simple ingredients, these bite-sized treats come together effortlessly for a snack that disappears faster than you can make them.

Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering or simply craving a savory snack, these pretzel bites will be the star of any spread.

Prepare to wow your taste buds with this irresistible crowd-pleaser that’s sure to become a new favorite.

Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites Ingredient List

• Active Dry Yeast: Awakens the dough's magic, choose fresh and unexpired for reliable rising.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds the yeast, helping it bubble and create soft texture.
• Warm Water: Provides perfect environment for yeast to activate, aim for tepid temperature.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the sturdy base of pretzel bites, select unbleached variety for best texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and tender crumb, ensure it's melted and slightly cooled.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances sweetness, helps control yeast activity.

• Coarse Salt: Provides classic pretzel exterior crunch, sprinkle generously before baking.
• Baking Soda: Creates signature pretzel shine and dark golden color, use fresh for best results.
• Melted Butter: Delivers glossy finish and irresistible buttery flavor, brush immediately after baking.

Tools for Making Soft Pretzel Bites at Home

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining ingredients and kneading dough.
• Whisk: Essential for blending water, yeast, and sugar smoothly.
• Measuring cups: Accurate for portioning flour, water, and other ingredients.
• Baking sheet: Lined with parchment paper for perfectly golden pretzel bites.
• Slotted spoon: Helps remove pretzel bites from baking soda bath without excess liquid.
• Pot: Used for creating the baking soda bath.
• Sharp knife or bench scraper: Great for cutting dough into bite-sized pieces.
• Pastry brush: Needed for brushing melted butter over warm pretzels.

Instructions to Bake Buttery Pretzel Bites

• Awaken the Yeast Mixture

Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar in a large bowl. Allow the mixture to rest and become frothy, creating a bubbly foundation for your delicious pretzel bites.

• Craft the Dough

Mix in salt and melted butter, gradually incorporating flour until a smooth, stretchy dough emerges. Knead the dough with purpose, transforming it into a silky, elastic treasure. Let the dough rise in a cozy, covered spot until it doubles in size.

• Create Pretzel Bite Shapes

Gently deflate the risen dough and divide into four sections. Roll each section into a long, snake-like rope. Slice the ropes into bite-sized pieces that promise crispy, golden delights.

• Bath and Prepare

Bring water to a gentle simmer and introduce baking soda. Quickly dunk the pretzel bites, giving them a brief alkaline bath that will create their signature golden-brown exterior.

• Bake to Perfection

Transfer the bathed bites to a prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with a generous pinch of coarse salt. Bake until they transform into golden-brown treasures with a crispy exterior.

• Finish with Buttery Brilliance

Immediately brush the hot pretzel bites with melted butter, adding a rich, luxurious finish. Serve alongside your favorite dipping sauce for an irresistible snack that will disappear in moments.

Tips for That Buttery, Soft Pretzel Finish

• Perfect Rise Technique: Ensure your yeast activates properly by using water between 110-115°F, which creates the ideal environment for yeast growth without killing it.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough ahead of time and refrigerate overnight for a more developed flavor and convenient meal prep.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap wheat flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend, adding xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Flavor Exploration: Experiment with different seasonings like garlic powder, everything bagel seasoning, or parmesan cheese sprinkled on top before baking for exciting taste variations.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Cool pretzel bites completely, then store in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Reheat in oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness and warmth.

Serving Pretzel Bites Fresh from the Oven

• Cozy Movie Night Companion: Perfect for dunking during your favorite film, these pretzel bites bring warmth and comfort to snack time.
• Game Day Crowd Pleaser: Arrange on a large platter with multiple dipping sauces like spicy mustard, ranch, and cheese for sports enthusiasts to enjoy.
• Brunch Flavor Booster: Serve alongside scrambled eggs or as a unique addition to a weekend breakfast spread, adding a delightful salty crunch to morning meals.
• Kid-Friendly Snack Station: Create a fun interactive eating experience by setting out small bowls of different dips, letting children choose their favorite flavor combinations.

Storing Your Soft Pretzel Bites for Snacking Later

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store cooled pretzel bites in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cold storage helps maintain their soft texture and prevents quick staleness.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual pretzel bites tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Frozen treats will last 2-3 months perfectly. Reheat directly from frozen at 350F for 5-7 minutes to restore original warmth and crispness.
• Reheating Perfection: Warm pretzels in the oven for best results. Spread bites on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil, and heat at 350F for 5-6 minutes. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent rubbery texture.
• Smart Serving Prep: Make dough ahead and refrigerate overnight for enhanced flavor development. When ready to bake, let dough sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before shaping and cooking. This technique ensures consistent, delicious pretzel bites every single time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 8

Crispy Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Homemade Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites offer a delightful twist on classic German street snacks. Golden brown morsels with sea salt create an irresistible appetizer perfect for sharing with friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups (480 g) all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 4 cups (960 ml) water
• 2 ¼ tsps (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 5 tbsps (71 g) unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup (60 ml) baking soda
• Coarse salt (pretzel salt or sea salt)

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Whisk warm water, active dry yeast, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Rest for 5 minutes until a frothy surface develops.
2. Dough Formation: Integrate salt, melted butter, and flour into the yeast mixture. Knead thoroughly for 5-7 minutes until achieving a smooth, elastic consistency.
3. First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm space for one hour until significantly expanded.
4. Preparation: Preheat oven to 425F (220C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Shaping and Portioning: Deflate dough, divide into four sections, and roll each into slender one-inch diameter ropes. Slice ropes into uniform bite-sized pieces.
6. Baking Soda Bath: Simmer water and dissolve baking soda. Briefly submerge pretzel bites in batches for 15-20 seconds, removing with a slotted spoon.
7. Final Preparation: Arrange treated morsels on prepared baking sheet, sprinkle with coarse salt, and bake until golden-brown, approximately 12-15 minutes.
8. Finishing Touch: Immediately brush freshly baked bites with melted butter and serve with cheese sauce, mustard, or honey butter for dipping.

Notes

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F to wake up yeast without killing it, creating a bubbly, frothy base for soft, fluffy pretzel bites.
• Knead with Confidence: Develop gluten by kneading consistently for the full 5-7 minutes, creating a smooth, elastic dough that guarantees a tender pretzel texture.
• Baking Soda Bath Secret: Don’t rush the baking soda bath – precisely 15-20 seconds gives pretzels their signature glossy, dark golden-brown exterior and distinctive chewy crust.
• Butter Boost Technique: Brush melted butter immediately after baking while hot to lock in moisture and create an irresistibly rich, glistening finish that elevates flavor and appearance.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg