Description
Deliciously soft and chewy pretzel bites with a golden brown crust, perfect as a snack or appetizer. These homemade pretzel bites feature a traditional dough boiled in baking soda water before baking to achieve their classic texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Boiling Solution
- 10 cups water
- 2/3 cup baking soda
Finishing
- 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
- Coarse salt (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is activated. Add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing until the dough starts to come together. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes on a lightly floured surface until it is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Boil Water and Baking Soda: In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water and 2/3 cup baking soda to a rolling boil. This solution will help create the pretzel’s signature chewy crust when boiled briefy before baking.
- Shape the Pretzel Bites: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air. Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 12-15 inches long. Cut each rope into 1-inch bite-sized pieces.
- Boil the Pretzel Bites: Carefully drop 10-15 pretzel bites at a time into the boiling baking soda water. Boil each batch for about 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place onto the prepared baking sheets.
- Add Egg Wash and Salt: Lightly brush each pretzel bite with the beaten egg yolk mixture to give them a shiny golden finish. Sprinkle coarse salt generously over the top for flavor and texture.
- Bake: Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and puff up slightly.
- Serve: Allow the pretzel bites to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy them warm with your favorite dipping sauces such as mustard, cheese, or honey mustard.
Notes
- Ensure the water for yeast activation is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Boiling the dough pieces in baking soda water is essential — it gives pretzels their signature chewy crust and deep flavor.
- You can store baked pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze the dough before boiling.
- For softer bites, brush with melted butter immediately after baking.
