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Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites
Soft buttery homemade pretzel bites just like you find in the pretzel stores in the mall but even better! It is so easy to make pretzel bites at home.
My kids used to beg me all of the time to pick up soft salty pretzels at Auntie Ann’s or Wetzel Pretzel. Not anymore! We can make homemade pretzel bites that taste even better than the ones you find in the mall. Plus they are so quick and easy to whip up.
When I eat my carbs, they better be worth my while. I am not going to be tempted by some package apple pie at the local convenience store…but homemade pretzels I will eat all day long. I am pretty much guaranteeing you will love them too.
One of my most popular recipes on Modern Honey is my BUTTERY SOFT PRETZELS RECIPE. So I thought it was time to create a mini pretzel version so you can have both at home.
These Homemade Pretzel Bites are even easier than making traditional pretzels. It is as easy as making a homemade dough with only 4 ingredients, letting it rise for 1 hour, rolling it into ropes and cutting into pieces, dipping in boiling baking soda water for 45 seconds, and then baking for about 10 minutes. This is a fun activity for kids, adults, and basically everyone.
My favorite kitchen appliance to use when making any type of bread is my BOSCH MIXER. It does the best job!
After they baked, you brush on melted salted butter and then can sprinkle pretzel salt all over it or dip them into cinnamon-sugar or whatever you please. Then you eat a lot of them because they are small and bite-sized so you just keep on eating.
How to make the Best Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites:
- Make sure your yeast works. Yeast can be finicky so it’s important to let it begin to activate, work, and foam up. Warm water is essential — not too hot or it will kill the yeast and not too cold or it won’t allow the yeast to become active. Warm water, around 110 degrees, does the trick. Yeast loves sugar so by adding honey or a touch of sugar to the yeast, it helps to activate it even more.
- All-Purpose or Bread Flour? Bread flour has a higher amount of gluten which will produce a chewier pretzel. I have used both all-purpose flour and bread flour in these pretzels and even though both work well, the bread flour is slightly superior.
- Dipping the pretzels in boiling water + baking soda helps to create it’s texture, flavor, and appearance. It helps to create a chewy texture and golden brown appearance.
- An egg wash gives it a shiny crust. It also adds moisture as it bakes at a high temperature.
- Baking at high heat helps to keep the pretzel shape and create the coveted golden-brown tops.
- Brush both sides with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt. You may dip them into cinnamon-sugar or whatever you please! If dipping in cinnamon-sugar, I don’t sprinkle coarse salt on the pretzel bites.
I can’t wait to hear all about your success in the kitchen! You can find me on instagram @modern_honey. I always love to hear from you!
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Soft Homemade Pretzel Bites
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 pkg.) Active Yeast
- 1 cup Warm Water (about 110 degrees)
- 1/4 cup Honey
- 3 cups Bread Flour (or all-purpose)
- 1 1/4 teaspoons Salt
- Water
- 3 Tablespoons Baking Soda
- 1 large Egg (beaten)
- Coarse Salt
- 6 Tablespoons Butter
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together yeast and warm water. Let start to work and activate for 10 minutes. Stir in honey.
- In a large mixing bowl, add flour and salt. Stir in activated yeast mixture. Using a dough hook, knead for about 5-6 minutes.
- Place dough in a lightly oiled large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. After it has doubled in size, punch the dough and let rise again for 45 minutes.
- Heat oven to 450 degrees. Pour 6 cups of water into the 12-inch skillet and add baking soda. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Divide the dough into 4 pieces. Roll each piece into a 20 to 24-inch long rope. Cut into bite-size pieces.
- Using a slotted spoon, gently place the pretzels into the boiling water for 45 seconds. Remove the pretzels with a slotted spoon and drain well. Place onto the Silpat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, beat egg to make an egg wash. Brush egg wash over pretzels. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the pretzels are golden brown. Generously brush with melted butter on all sides.
- If making cinnamon-sugar pretzels, roll the pretzel bites into the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So yummy!
I agree with a few other people that 450 was too high, I did the second batch at 400 and for my oven that worked better :).
I’m going to try freezing them to see how they reheat since it made such a big batch for my little family of 3 :).
Can you make these a day ahead and store them? How would you store them?
Hi Amy! Yes you can. There are 2 options- Fully bake the pretzels, cool completely, and freeze in an airtight container or bag. Or you can fully bake them, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. I recommend popping them back in the oven at 350 degrees to warm through. I hope that helps!
Delicious and easy directions to follow!!
I am so glad you loved this recipe! Thank you for making it.
This came out perfect…mmmmm
Thank you so much for making this recipe, James!
Best yet. I’ve tried a few pretzel recipes and this the easiest and tastiest BY A MILE! Had no eggs but brushed milk on instead. 10/10 😍
I am so glad you loved this recipe, Cat! Thank you so much for your comment. 🙂
As I crazy? Where does the honey go?
Hi Joanna! It is listed in the instructions under #1. You can add the honey after the yeast and water have activated for 10 minutes. I hope you enjoy!
Loved these! But I won’t be using parchment paper anymore because it burnt🥹 the pretzel pieces came out just fine but not the paper lol
Oh no! I’m sorry your parchment paper burnt but I’m happy they still worked out. Thank you for making my recipe!
Approximately how many bite size pretzels per batch?
I got about 60 pretzel bites from this recipe 😊
Can I use regular sugar instead of honey and how much sugar to use
HI Suzette! Yes you can use sugar. I would replace with about 1/4 cup sugar to help activate the yeast!
I’ve made these once and my entire family RAVED about them! Would I be able to do part of the steps the night before, refrigerate, and finish the next day? And if so, after which step do you suggest I place it in the fridge? Thanks a bunch!!
I have the same question!
Hi Amanda! You can refrigerate the bites after they are cut into bite sized pieces, before boiling. Just make sure to cover with plastic wrap or tinfoil. I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Absolutely delicious. We made them just as you said and they turn out perfect every time. They don’t need any sauce at all to go with these. So good.
I’m so glad you loved them, Judy! Thank you so much for making my recipe.