Soft Pretzel Bites are 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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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.
Dipping the dough in an alkaline solution (in this case, baking soda) gives it that special flavor.
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.
Baking soda helps turn the outside into a brown crust.
Sprinkle on the salt as soon as the pretzels come out of the boiling water. The water will help the salt stick!
More Homemade Pretzel Recipes To Try
5-Star Review
“Your recipe was so easy to follow and the pretzel bites were perfect. Wonderful recipe…wonderful directions. Thank you!” -Janet C
Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1¼ cups milk 284 grams, warm (110°F)
- 2 tablespoons honey 44 grams
- 2½ 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
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
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
- Fill a large pot about halfway full with water and allow to come to a boil over medium-high heat.
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until the tops are browned. Remove from oven, and allow to cool slightly.
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.
Nutrition Information
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bake the Bites: Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until the tops are browned. Remove from oven, and allow to cool slightly.
I’m confused at the step for 1/2 pot water and combine egg whites. What am I missing here? The recipe only calls for 1 T water but then it says in the instructions to fill a pot 1/2 way with water and bring to a boil and combine with egg whites?
Hey Jaime, I didn’t include the pot water in the ingredient list. It’s just water to flash cook the water in, not an actual ingredient in the dough. Does that make sense? Let me know if not. Thanks for stopping by!!
Hmm, not really. Flash cook the eggs in, you mean? The eggs are just to brush onto the dough before baking, right?
You flash cook the pretzel bites in boiling water with baking soda, then brush them with egg and bake them. The half pot of water is to boil the bites.
I once made an Auntie Anne copycat recipe and while delicious I swear it took three hours. This sounds like heaven in 30 minutes! Great recipe :)
These look awesome! I am a sucker for pretzels any day, and will buy them practically at every store that sells them (of course for my kids ;)
Thanks so much Kristy!
I don’t even like pretzels but serve them up with mustard sauce it looks amazing! I would so give these a try!
Yes, give me all the mustard!! Thanks for stopping by :)
Can I have the carbs? All the carbs? Bring me these? :)
I would love to sit around and eat all the carbs with you!!
I will have to check out The Slow Roasted Italian – that sounds like it’s right up my alley! And these look perfect, just absolutely perfect for a snack! And so easy!
Thanks for stopping by Cristina! You will love her site :)
YES, Donna has amaaaazing recipes and these always jump out at me on Pinterest, too! :-D
Pretzels and cheese sounds SO darn good!
Thanks so much Kate!
I have only made pretzels once at home, and I do love how easy these look!
Thanks for stopping by Nancy!
For some reason, I automatically thought of my sister and dad who buy those party mix bags with the combination of chips, pretzels, cheesies, and other items in one bag. They always eat everything except the pretzels! I love pretzels so I think they are weird, and I cannot wait to try these pretzels!
Ha I love those party bags! Thanks for stopping by Kasey :)
We loveeeee making homemade pretzel bites! Seriously we can polish off the whole thing in no time. And that dip? Come to mama!
Thanks Meg!