Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Soft Pretzel Bitesare the perfect party food! Anyone can make this pretzel bites recipe, and everyone will love them! I was scared to make these but they turned out so good and were actually super easy. Win! I love the texture and taste of these homemade pretzel bites, and I really love dipping them in all the sauces.

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Table of Contents

Why We Love This Pretzel Bites Recipe

I absolutely love soft pretzel bites, but the thought of making them myself always seemed a bit tough. Luckily this easy soft pretzel bite recipe exists, and if I can do it, so can you! This is a fun and easy appetizer to serve on game day. And while people will be impressed by these perfect little bite-sized pretzels, you’ll rest easy knowing it wasn’t hard to do.

Variations on Homemade Pretzel Bites

These soft pretzel bites are so tasty served simply with sauces to add flavor. But you can also brush them with butter and top them with ranch seasoning, everything bagel seasoning, or freshly shredded cheese!

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How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes, or until fully warm.

How to Freeze

If you want to make a large batch of this pretzel bites recipe ahead of time, you can freeze them and reheat them when you’re ready to eat. This is especially helpful if you’re preparing this fun appetizer for a party or event, or if you just made too many and want to save them for another time. They will keep well for up to 4 months. Just let them thaw before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

What kind of dip doesn’t go with pretzels? The dipping sauce is definitely one of the best parts of soft pretzel bites, and it’s fun to try different ones and get creative with it. If you’re serving these at a party, make up a bunch of different dips and let your guests choose the best! Try dipping your soft pretzel bites in Skinny Queso Dip, Honey Mustard, Nacho Cheese Sauce, Beer Cheese Dip, or Pepperoni Pizza Dip.

What is the secret ingredient which makes a pretzel taste like a pretzel?

Dipping the dough in an alkaline solution (in this case, baking soda) gives it that special flavor.

Do you have to boil pretzels before baking?

Yes! Boiling the soft pretzel bites in baking soda water for 30 seconds will give them that chewy texture you expect from pretzels. So this is how they manage to be soft and chewy on the inside, while staying a bit crispy on the outside.

How do you get salt to stick to pretzel bites?

Sprinkle on the salt as soon as the pretzels come out of the boiling water. The water will help the salt stick!

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More Homemade Pretzel Recipes To Try

  • Homemade Soft Pretzels
  • Garlic Parmesan Soft Pretzels
  • …or try Pretzel Dogs!

5-Star Review

“Your recipe was so easy to follow and the pretzel bites were perfect. Wonderful recipe…wonderful directions. Thank you!” -Janet C

Recipe

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe

4.50 from 153 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 20 minutes minutes

Total: 30 minutes minutes

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Serves8

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This easy Soft Pretzel Bites recipe is made in under 30 minutes! Simple, salty, delicious pretzel bites to serve with cheese sauce, mustard, or dips at any party.

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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Ingredients

  • cups milk 284 grams, warm (110°F)
  • 2 tablespoons honey 44 grams
  • teaspoons active dry yeast 7 grams (1 envelope)
  • ½ cup egg whites 140 grams (from 4 large eggs)
  • 1 tablespoon water 14 grams
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour 480 grams
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 grams
  • ½ cup baking soda 144 grams
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt 9 grams

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

  • Pour the warmed milk into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Top with honey and the yeast and stir to combine. Allow to sit for approximately 10 minutes. The yeast will become like a foam, which means it's ready.

    1¼ cups milk, 2 tablespoons honey, 2½ teaspoons active dry yeast

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  • Fill a large pot about halfway full with water and allow to come to a boil over medium-high heat.

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  • Whisk together the egg whites with 1 tablespoon of water and set aside.

    ½ cup egg whites, 1 tablespoon water

  • Add the flour and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to the mixer. Mix on low with for about 3 minutes until the dough comes together in one ball. Add more flour if needed. The dough will stick together, but will not be sticky on your hands.

    4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt

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  • Place the dough on a clean work surface and form the dough into a ball. It's not necessary to flour your counter. Section the dough into four parts and roll each part into a long strand. Cut each strand into 1-inch sections using a butter knife. You should be able to make about 12-16 bites per strand.

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  • Carefully, add the baking soda to the boiling water. Be careful, the baking soda will bubble up, so add slowly. Place the dough bites into the boiling water about 10 at a time, and "flash cook" for 20-30 seconds for each batch. Using a slotted spoon, take the dough out of water and allow to cool.

    ½ cup baking soda

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  • Arrange all flashed cooked pretzel bites on the parchment-lined baking sheet so they are not touching. Brush each bite with egg white mixture and sprinkle with the coarse sea salt.

    1 tablespoon coarse sea salt

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  • Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until the tops are browned. Remove from oven, and allow to cool slightly.

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Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • When preparing the pretzel bite dough, it should stick together but NOT stick to your hands. Add more flour if it needs help forming into dough.
  • You don’t need to flour your countertop before creating the pretzel bites.

Storage:Store pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 3-4 bites Calories: 277kcal (14%) Carbohydrates: 54g (18%) Protein: 10g (20%) Fat: 2g (3%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g Cholesterol: 5mg (2%) Sodium: 3256mg (142%) Potassium: 161mg (5%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 6g (7%) Vitamin A: 62IU (1%) Vitamin C: 0.03mg Calcium: 59mg (6%) Iron: 3mg (17%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (16)

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How to Make Pretzel Bites Step by Step

Bloom the Yeast: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Pour 1¼ cups of warmed milk into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Top with 2 tablespoons of honey and 2½ teaspoons (1 envelope) of active dry yeast and stir to combine. Allow to sit for approximately 10 minutes. The yeast will become like a foam, which means it’s ready.

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Boil the Water: Fill a large pot about halfway full with water and allow it to come to a boil over medium-high heat. Whisk together ½ cup of egg whites with 1 tablespoon of water and set aside.

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Make the Dough: Add 4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to the mixer with the yeast mixture. Mix on low with for about 3 minutes until the dough comes together in one ball. Add more flour if needed. The dough will stick together, but will not be sticky on your hands.

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Cut the Dough: Place the dough on a clean work surface and form the dough into a ball. It’s not necessary to flour your counter. Section the dough into four parts and roll each part into a long strand. Cut each strand into 1-inch sections using a butter knife. You should be able to make about 12-16 bites per strand.

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Boil the Bites: Carefully, add ½ cup of baking soda to the boiling water. Be careful, the baking soda will bubble up, so add slowly. Place the dough bites into the boiling water about 10 at a time, and “flash cook” for 20-30 seconds for each batch. Using a slotted spoon, take the dough out of the water and allow it to cool.

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Season the Bites: Arrange all flashed cooked pretzel bites on the parchment-lined baking sheet so they are not touching. Brush each bite with egg white mixture and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt.

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Bake the Bites: Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until the tops are browned. Remove from oven, and allow to cool slightly.

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Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook pretzilla soft pretzel bites? ›

Like most bread products, PRETZILLA® Bites are best warm: simply toast 4-5 minutes in a medium-heat skillet or 300˚F oven.

How do you cook super pretzel soft pretzel bites? ›

Number of bites: 21-30; Microwave: 1 minute, 45 seconds; Oven: 4-5 minutes or until hot. Number of bites: 31 or more; Microwave: 2 minutes; Oven: 4-5 minutes or until hot. Keep frozen until ready to use.

What is the story behind the soft pretzel? ›

The pretzel was invented by European monks in the early Middle Ages, possibly in the 6th or 7th century. The monks used the pretzel's distinctive knot shape to represent the Holy Trinity, with the three holes in the pretzel symbolizing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Why did you dip your pretzel dough into baking soda and water? ›

Like lye, baking soda is an alkaline substance, and when mixed with water and brushed over the pretzel dough, it changes the pH of the dough and gelates the surface starch. In the oven, the starch gel hardens and the alkaline baking soda makes browning happen fast.

How long do you put a soft pretzel in the oven? ›

Oven Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 425°. Dampen pretzels with water. Sprinkle with salt. Bake approximately 12 – 15 minutes.

How long do you cook pretzilla pretzel bites in the air fryer? ›

If using oven method: Bake for 20 minutes, then flip, place on a slice of vegan cheese if using, then bake 10 more minutes. If using air fryer method: Cook for 15 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 205 degrees Celsius, then flip, place the vegan cheese, and cook 5 more minutes.

How do you heat soft pretzel bites? ›

Bake in your pre-heated 350° oven for 4-6 minutes, just enough to heat the pretzel through completely, and to dry the salt adhering to the tops. Serve immediately for a crisp crust and tender center crumb freshness.

Why do you boil soft pretzels before baking? ›

The answer lies in a brief dip in an alkaline water bath before baking. This bath essentially gelatinizes the outside of the pretzel, preventing it from fully “springing” during baking (as bread does) and giving pretzels their signature chewy crust. It also gives them their unique and indelible “pretzel” flavor.

How do you keep soft pretzel bites warm for a party? ›

Simply wrap all the pretzel bites tightly in foil, sealing the edges together, then place in your oven on “keep warm,” or 170F.

What's the difference between a pretzel and a soft pretzel? ›

Soft pretzels are large and have a chewy texture. They're usually served individually and are commonly sold at concession stands, restaurants, and bakeries. Meanwhile, hard pretzels are small and crunchy and can be eaten by the handful, depending on their shape.

What does pretzel stand for in English? ›

pret·​zel ˈpret-səl. : a brown cracker that is salted and usually hard and shaped like a loose knot. Etymology. from German Brezel "pretzel," derived from Latin brachiatus (adjective) "having branches like arms," from brachium, "arm" — related to brace entry 2. Word Origin.

Can I use baking soda instead of baking powder for pretzels? ›

As noted above, baking soda is a staple ingredient for making homemade pretzels. Dunking your pretzels in a baking soda bath prior to baking is what enables them to develop their distinctive color and crispy-on-the-outside, chewy-on-the-inside texture.

Is there a substitute for baking soda? ›

If you don't have baking soda, you can use baking powder, at three times what the recipe calls for. So if a recipe calls for one teaspoon of baking soda, you can use three teaspoons of baking powder.

How does baking soda affect dough? ›

Through the chemical reaction created by combining baking soda with liquid, acid, and heat, carbon dioxide is created. These tiny CO2 gas bubbles allow for soft and airy baked goods such as cookies, pancakes, and cakes. Baking soda also increases pH levels while reducing gluten.

How do you cook frozen pretzel bites in the oven? ›

When ready to eat, preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place on a baking sheet and bake from frozen for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can microwave pretzel bites but they tend to get a little soggy.

How long do you microwave soft pretzel bites? ›

If using microwave: Place pretzel bites on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave until heated through, about 15 seconds per every 10 bites. Bon appétit!

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