Easy homemade pretzel bites are soft, buttery and irresistible. This easy pretzel recipe makes the perfect appetizer or snack for game days and parties!
Prep Time: 25 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 15 minutesminutes
Total Time: 40 minutesminutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients
1 ½cupswarm water
1packet active yeast(or 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1Tablespoongranulated sugar
1 ½teaspoonsKosher salt, plus extra for topping
4cupsall-purpose flour
⅓cupbaking soda(for boiling water)
1largeegg, whisked
Melted butter, for brushing, optional
Instructions
In a small bowl, stir together warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit 3 to 5 minutes. Add salt and stir.
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
In the large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, add flour and yeast mixture. Knead 5 minutes. (You can also do this by hand, if preferred).
Separate dough into 6 sections. Roll each section into ropes, about 15-inches long and 1-inch thick. Cut with scissors into 1 1/2- to 2-inch pieces. This should make about 60 to 75 pretzel pieces. Optional: cut a “t” or “x” on the top of the pretzel with scissors.
In a small pot, bring about 8 cups water + 1/3 cup baking soda to a boil over medium heat. Once water is boiling, place about 8 pieces of dough into the water for about 30 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon and place pretzel bites onto baking sheet. Brush dough lightly with beaten egg and sprinkle salt on top.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. You can turn the oven to broil for the last minute to brown the tops, if desired. Remove pretzel bites to a cooling rack and brush tops with melted butter, if desired.
Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Cheese sauce: Here is my favorite pretzel cheese dip. Variation: For a sweeter version, bake the homemade pretzels without salt. When they come out of the oven, roll them in melted butter and then roll the tops and sides in cinnamon sugar (1/2 cup granulated sugar combined with 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon). Storage: Best served the first day fresh out of the oven. Store leftovers in a brown bag or covered container for up to 2 days.Freeze: Place pretzel bites in a freezer bag or airtight container and store in the freezer up to 2 months. Heat them back up in the microwave (20-30 seconds) or in the oven until warm.