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Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe

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4.1 from 3 reviews

These Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites are the perfect snack or appetizer, featuring a warm, fluffy interior with a slightly crispy, golden-brown crust. Made from a simple yeast dough, boiled briefly in a baking soda solution, then baked to perfection and brushed with melted butter, they bring classic pretzel flavor to bite-sized perfection.

Ingredients

Dough

  • 1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115°F) milk or water
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 (0.25-ounce) package active dry yeast
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more if needed)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (plus extra for brushing)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

Boiling Solution

  • 9 cups water
  • 1/3 cup baking soda

Topping

  • 1 large egg (whisked with 1 tablespoon water)
  • Pretzel salt or coarse sea salt

Instructions

  1. Mix the dough: Whisk together the warm milk and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle the active dry yeast on top and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy and activates.
  2. Knead the dough: Add the all-purpose flour, melted butter, and fine sea salt to the yeast mixture. Either mix with a spoon until combined and then knead by hand for about 4 minutes until smooth, adding more flour if sticky; or use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook on medium speed for 4 minutes to achieve a smooth dough.
  3. Let the dough rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp towel, and allow it to rest in a warm place for 20 to 30 minutes until it doubles in size.
  4. Prep oven, baking sheets, and boiling solution: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a stockpot or large saucepan, combine 9 cups water and 1/3 cup baking soda and bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
  5. Form the pretzel bites: Turn the risen dough out onto a lightly oiled surface and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 3/4-inch-wide rope and cut each rope into 1-inch-long pretzel bites using a knife.
  6. Boil the pretzel bites: Carefully transfer about a dozen pretzel bites at a time into the boiling baking soda water for approximately 30 seconds. Remove them using a spatula or spider strainer, placing them on the prepared parchment-lined baking sheets, spaced apart so they don’t touch. Repeat with remaining bites.
  7. Add egg wash and salt: Brush each pretzel bite with the whisked egg and water mixture for a glossy finish, then sprinkle generously with pretzel salt or coarse sea salt.
  8. Bake: Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes, or until they reach a golden brown color. Remove from the oven and transfer the baking sheets to wire racks to cool slightly.
  9. Optional buttery finish: For extra buttery flavor, immediately brush the warm pretzel bites with additional melted butter after baking.
  10. Serve warm: Pretzel bites are best enjoyed freshly baked while still warm and soft. Serve immediately for the best taste experience.

Notes

  • If the dough feels too sticky during kneading, add flour a tablespoon at a time until manageable but still soft.
  • Boiling in baking soda water is key to achieving the distinctive pretzel crust and flavor.
  • Use coarse pretzel salt for authentic texture and taste; sea salt works well as an alternative.
  • Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container and reheat briefly in the oven for best texture.
  • Feel free to dip pretzel bites in mustard, cheese sauce, or your favorite dips for extra enjoyment.

Find it online: https://recipefeastful.com/buttery-soft-pretzel-bites-recipe/