Homemade Pretzel Bites are soft, chewy, and perfect for snacking or serving as appetizers. They are easy to make and can be customized with your favorite toppings, such as sea salt, cinnamon sugar, or even cheese dipping sauces. Here’s a simple recipe for making delicious pretzel bites at home.
Homemade Pretzel Bites Recipe
Ingredients:
For the dough:
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) warm water (110°F / 45°C)
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 1/2 cups (440g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the baking soda bath:
- 8 cups water
- 1/4 cup baking soda
Topping:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
- Coarse sea salt (for sprinkling)
Instructions:
- Prepare the dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture becomes foamy.
- Add the flour, salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms. Then, knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes on a lightly floured surface, or until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
- Shape the pretzel bites:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 4 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a long rope, about 1/2 inch thick. Then, cut the ropes into small bite-sized pieces (about 1 inch long).
- Boil the pretzel bites:
- In a large pot, bring the 8 cups of water and baking soda to a boil. Carefully drop the pretzel bites into the boiling water in batches. Boil each batch for about 30 seconds. They will float to the surface when done. Remove the bites using a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the pretzel bites:
- Once all the pretzel bites are on the baking sheet, brush them with the melted butter and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the pretzel bites are golden brown.
- Serve:
- Let the pretzel bites cool slightly before serving. You can serve them with your favorite dipping sauces, such as mustard, cheese, or even chocolate sauce!
Tips:
- Freezing: You can freeze the pretzel bites before boiling them. To bake from frozen, just add an extra few minutes to the baking time.
- Toppings: Instead of salt, you can coat the pretzel bites with cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat.
- Cheese sauce: To make a simple cheese dip, melt some cheese with a little milk in a saucepan and season with salt and pepper for a perfect pairing.
These homemade pretzel bites are soft, chewy, and perfect for snacking or sharing with friends and family. Enjoy!