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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Yeast Activation: Whisk warm water, active dry yeast, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Rest for 5 minutes until a frothy surface develops.
- Dough Formation: Integrate salt, melted butter, and flour into the yeast mixture. Knead thoroughly for 5-7 minutes until achieving a smooth, elastic consistency.
- First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm space for one hour until significantly expanded.
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 425F (220C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 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.
- Baking Soda Bath: Simmer water and dissolve baking soda. Briefly submerge pretzel bites in batches for 15-20 seconds, removing with a slotted spoon.
- Final Preparation: Arrange treated morsels on prepared baking sheet, sprinkle with coarse salt, and bake until golden-brown, approximately 12-15 minutes.
- 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