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Easy Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites with Baking Soda Bath

A stack of golden brown, freshly baked pretzel bites topped with coarse salt, ready for game day.
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Make soft, chewy, and salty pretzel bites from scratch. This recipe uses a baking soda bath for authentic texture, perfect for game day or as a party appetizer.

Ingredients

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  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup baking soda (for the bath)
  • 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • Coarse pretzel salt, for topping

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Stir in the melted butter, flour, and salt into the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
  3. Knead the dough for 5 to 7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  4. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  5. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Stir in the 1/2 cup of baking soda. This is your baking soda bath.
  6. Punch down the risen dough. Divide the dough into four equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 1 inch thick.
  7. Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces to form your pretzel bites.
  8. Working in batches, carefully drop 6 to 8 pretzel bites into the boiling baking soda water for 20 to 30 seconds. Do not overcrowd the pot.
  9. Use a slotted spoon to remove the boiled bites and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
  10. Brush the tops of the boiled bites with the beaten egg wash.
  11. Sprinkle generously with coarse pretzel salt.
  12. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm with your favorite dips.

Notes

  • For a sweet variation, skip the salt and egg wash. Instead, toss the hot, baked bites in a mixture of 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon.
  • Serve these pretzel appetizer bites with homemade beer cheese dip or honey mustard sauce for the best flavor combination.
  • If you want quicker results, you can use refrigerated biscuit dough, cut the biscuits into quarters, boil them briefly, and bake.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/easy-homemade-soft-pretzel-bites-recipe/