Pretzel Bites
on Jul 09, 2023
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Today, we’re diving headfirst into the delightful world of Pretzel Bites. You know, those little nuggets of doughy goodness that are perfect for snacking, dipping, and devouring by the handful. So grab your aprons and let’s get ready to bake up a storm!
Making pretzel bites can be a fun and interactive activity. It’s a chance to get your hands dirty, knead the dough, and shape those adorable little nuggets. The process of dipping them in the baking soda bath and watching them transform in the oven adds an element of excitement and anticipation
Pretzel Bites
The allure of pretzel bites is huge. You will love them for lots of different reasons. They’re perfect for popping into your mouth without any fuss. The compact size makes them great for snacking, sharing at parties, or even as a quick on-the-go treat.
Pretzel bites have a unique texture that combines a soft, doughy interior with a slightly chewy exterior. This delightful contrast creates a satisfying mouthfeel that keeps you coming back for more. It’s a magical combination of fluffy and chewy that’s hard to resist.
Making pretzel bites can be a fun and interactive activity. It’s a chance to get your hands dirty, knead the dough, and shape those adorable little nuggets. The process of dipping them in the baking soda bath and watching them transform in the oven adds an element of excitement and anticipation.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- Warm water
- Active dry yeast
- Light brown sugar
- Salt
- Unbleached all-purpose flour
- Salted butter melted
For the baking soda bath:
- Water
- Baking soda
- Melted butter
- Sea Kosher salt
Keep scrolling to find a full, printable recipe with a detailed ingredient list.
Recipe Instructions
- Mix warm water, yeast, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Let it rest for 4-5 minutes until it foams.
- Add salt and half the flour, mix until almost combined. Then add butter and mix until incorporated.
- Add the remaining flour and mix until fully incorporated. Use your hands to finish mixing into a dough ball.
- Place the dough in a covered bowl and let it rise in a warm place for 90 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and form it into small balls using a cookie scoop or by hand.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add baking soda. Carefully boil the dough balls for 30-45 seconds.
- Transfer the boiled dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or lightly oiled. Bake at 400°F for 12-15 minutes until golden.
- Remove from the oven, brush with melted butter, and sprinkle with kosher salt. Allow the pretzel bites to cool for at least 20 minutes on a cooling rack.
- Serve and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use instant yeast as a substitute for active dry yeast. However, keep in mind that instant yeast may require slightly different handling and proofing times, so it’s a good idea to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions or make any necessary adjustments accordingly.
Absolutely! Pretzel bites freeze well. Once they have cooled completely, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag and store them in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them at room temperature and reheat them in the oven for a few minutes to restore their crispness.
Some popular options include mustard (both yellow and spicy Dijon), cheese sauce (such as cheddar or beer cheese), honey mustard, marinara sauce, and even sweet options like caramel or chocolate dip. Feel free to get creative and explore different flavors to find your favorite combination!
More Recipes
If you’ve tried this Pretzel Bites recipe or any other recipe on Bless This Mess, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories.
Pretzel Bites Recipe
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 1 ½ warm water
- 2 ¼ teaspoons ¼ oz envelope of active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
For the baking soda bath:
- 4 cups water
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Sea salt, Kosher salt
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl mix 1 ½ cup warm water, yeast, and brown sugar together.
- Let the mixture rest for 4-5 minutes. The mixture will start frothing/foaming. This means the yeast is active and you can proceed to the next step. If it doesn’t foam, restart this step with fresh yeast.
- Add the salt and half the flour Mix until the flour is almost combined. I like to use my Danish dough whisk but you can also use a mixing spoon. I wouldn’t recommend using a regular whisk as the dough will be sticking in the middle.
- Add the butter and mix until it is incorporated
- Add the remaining flour. Mix until the flour is incorporated. You will still have some dry flour, finish mixing with your hands until you have a dough ball.
- *NOTE* You can knead on a flat surface or knead directly in the bowl.
- Place the dough in the bowl, covered with plastic wrap. Place in a warm, draft-free place and let the dough rise for 90 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
- Punch the dough down.
- Bring a pot of water to boiling.
- Using a cookie scoop, I used a medium size scoop of 1 ½ tablespoons, to scoop the dough into a ball.
- Roll the dough ball into the palm of your hands.
- Place on a rack on a cookie sheet.
- Repeat until you have formed all the balls. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F
- Once the water is boiling add the baking soda. Be careful it might bubble up.
- Place 3 to 4 pieces of dough balls into the boiling water for 30 to 45 seconds
- Put the boiled dough ball on a cookie sheet (line the cookie sheet with a silicone mat or lightly oil. Leave space between the dough balls so they don’t touch and cook more evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the dough balls are nice and golden.
- Take it out of the oven.
- Brush some melted butter and sprinkle some Kosher salt.
- Place on a cooling rack and allow to cool for at least 20 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
- You can rewarm the pretzel bites in the air fryer at 375 degrees F for 3 to 4 minutes
- Serve with your choice of dip, cheese, queso, honey mustard
- You can freeze the dough for up to 30 days in a ziplock bag.
- Store the pretzel bites at room temperature for 3 days in the fridge for up to a week.
- This is a soft pretzel bite.
- I used a medium size cookie scoop so the bites are more even in shape. You can also use a smaller scoop, however, baking time will be less.
Nutrition
Pretzel bites are a delightful snack that brings joy and satisfaction with their irresistible texture and versatility making them a favorite choice for many people to bake and enjoy. So gather your ingredients, get baking, and savor the deliciousness of these bite-sized treats.
