If you’re looking for a tasty, fun, and oh-so-satisfying treat, look no further than the warm, chewy, and utterly addictive world of Homemade Pretzel Bites. These bite-sized wonders are not only a cinch to make but also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion, whether it’s a game night, movie marathon, or just a midday snack attack.
This straightforward recipe calls for basic pantry staples like flour, yeast, sugar, salt, water, and a touch of melted butter. The dough comes together quickly and requires just a bit of kneading to reach the perfect consistency. Once the dough has risen, shaping the bites is a fun activity that allows for creativity.
Homemade Pretzel Bites
One of the primary reasons people adore pretzel bites is their size. They’re compact, cute, and perfect for snacking on the go. Whether you’re enjoying a movie night at home, hosting a party, or simply looking for a quick snack fix, these bite-sized wonders are an ideal choice. Plus, their small form makes them versatile for dipping into various sauces, from classic mustard to sweet caramel.
Pretzel bites strike a beautiful balance between savory and slightly sweet. The dough itself has a subtle sweetness, thanks to the addition of light brown sugar, which complements the generous sprinkling of salt on the surface. This harmonious blend of flavors tantalizes the taste buds and keeps you coming back for more.
There’s something undeniably satisfying about sinking your teeth into a soft and chewy pretzel bite. The brief boiling before baking gives them that characteristic chewiness, setting them apart from regular baked goods. Their texture is akin to a warm hug for your mouth, providing comfort and delight in every bite.
Ingredients
- Active dry yeast
- Brown sugar
- Salt
- Flour
- Butter
- Baking soda
- Sea salt Kosher
Recipe Instructions
- Mix warm water, yeast, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Let it rest for 4-5 minutes until it foams.
- Add salt and half the flour, mix until almost combined. Then add butter and mix until incorporated.
- Add the remaining flour and mix until fully incorporated. Use your hands to finish mixing into a dough ball.
- Place the dough in a covered bowl and let it rise in a warm place for 90 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and form it into small balls using a cookie scoop or by hand.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add baking soda. Carefully boil the dough balls for 30-45 seconds.
- Transfer the boiled dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or lightly oiled. Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until golden.
- Remove from the oven, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with kosher salt. Allow the pretzel bites to cool for at least 20 minutes on a cooling rack.
- Serve and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all! While they might seem like a gourmet treat, pretzel bites are surprisingly easy to make from scratch. The dough comes together with just a few basic ingredients, and the shaping process is fun and straightforward. The key step that gives pretzel bites their unique texture involves a brief boiling before baking, which is simple to do. With a little patience and creativity, you’ll have a batch of delicious homemade pretzel bites in no time!
Pretzel bites can be made ahead of time and stored for later enjoyment. Once baked, let them cool completely and then store them in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for up to 2 days at room temperature or up to a week if refrigerated. To reheat them, simply pop them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through.
Pretzel bites are incredibly versatile when it comes to dipping sauces. Some popular choices include classic yellow mustard, cheese sauce (cheddar or beer cheese), honey mustard, spicy cheese dip, marinara sauce, and even sweet options like caramel sauce or chocolate ganache. Get creative and try different combinations to find your perfect match!
More Recipes
- Sweet Pretzels Sticks with Strawberry Cream Cheese Dip
- Cinnamon Pretzel Twists
- Whole Wheat Pepperoni Pretzel Knots
- Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Cookies
If you’ve tried this Homemade Pretzel Bites recipe or any other recipe on Barbara Bakes, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories.
Homemade Pretzel Bites
Ingredients
- 1 ½ warm water
- 2 ¼ teaspoons ¼ oz envelope of active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons salted butter melted
Baking Soda Bath
- 4 cups water
- ¼ cup baking soda
Butter and salt topping *OPTIONAL*
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Sea salt Kosher salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl mix 1 ½ cup warm water, yeast, and brown sugar together.
- Let the mixture rest for 4-5 minutes. The mixture will start frothing/foaming. This means the yeast is active and you can proceed to the next step. If it doesn’t foam, restart this step with fresh yeast.
- Add the salt and half the flour Mix until the flour is almost combined. I like to use my Danish dough whisk but you can also use a mixing spoon. I wouldn’t recommend using a regular whisk as the dough will be sticking in the middle.
- Add the butter and mix until it is incorporated
- Add the remaining flour. Mix until the flour is incorporated. You will still have some dry flour, finish mixing with your hands until you have a dough ball.
- *NOTE* You can knead on a flat surface or knead directly in the bowl.
- Place the dough in the bowl, covered with plastic wrap. Place in a warm, draft-free place and let the dough rise for 90 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
- Punch the dough down.
- Bring a pot of water to boiling.
- Using a cookie scoop, I used a medium size scoop of 1 ½ tablespoons, to scoop the dough into a ball.
- Roll the dough ball into the palm of your hands.
- Place on a rack on a cookie sheet.
- Repeat until you have formed all the balls. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F
- Once the water is boiling add the baking soda. Be careful it might bubble up.
- Place 3 to 4 pieces of dough balls into the boiling water for 30 to 45 seconds
- Put the boiled dough ball on a cookie sheet (line the cookie sheet with a silicone mat or lightly oil. Leave space between the dough balls so they don’t touch and cook more evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the dough balls are nice and golden.
- Take it out of the oven.
- Brush some melted butter and sprinkle some Kosher salt.
- Place on a cooling rack and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- You can rewarm the pretzel bites in the air fryer at 375 degrees F for 3 to 4 minutes
- Serve with your choice of dip, cheese, queso, honey mustard
- You can freeze the dough for up to 30 days in a ziplock bag.
- Store the pretzel bites at room temperature for 3 days in the fridge for up to a week.
- This is a soft pretzel bite.
- I used a medium size cookie sheet so the bites are more even in shape. You can also use a smaller scoop, however, baking time will be less.
Nutrition
Homemade pretzel bites are a delightful and easy-to-make snack that brings joy to both the maker and the eater. With their perfect balance of flavors, soft and chewy texture, and versatility, they have become a much loved treat for various occasions. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner in the kitchen, whipping up a batch of these bite-sized wonders is a fun and rewarding experience.
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