Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.

Soft Pretzel Bitesare the perfect party food! Anyone can make this pretzel bites recipe, and everyone will love them! I was scared to make these but they turned out so good and were actually super easy. Win! I love the texture and taste of these homemade pretzel bites, and I really love dipping them in all the sauces.

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Why We Love This Pretzel Bites Recipe

I absolutely love soft pretzel bites, but the thought of making them myself always seemed a bit tough. Luckily this easy soft pretzel bite recipe exists, and if I can do it, so can you! This is a fun and easy appetizer to serve on game day. And while people will be impressed by these perfect little bite-sized pretzels, you’ll rest easy knowing it wasn’t hard to do.

Variations on Homemade Pretzel Bites

These soft pretzel bites are so tasty served simply with sauces to add flavor. But you can also brush them with butter and top them with ranch seasoning, everything bagel seasoning, or freshly shredded cheese!

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes, or until fully warm.

How to Freeze

If you want to make a large batch of this pretzel bites recipe ahead of time, you can freeze them and reheat them when you’re ready to eat. This is especially helpful if you’re preparing this fun appetizer for a party or event, or if you just made too many and want to save them for another time. They will keep well for up to 4 months. Just let them thaw before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

What kind of dip doesn’t go with pretzels? The dipping sauce is definitely one of the best parts of soft pretzel bites, and it’s fun to try different ones and get creative with it. If you’re serving these at a party, make up a bunch of different dips and let your guests choose the best! Try dipping your soft pretzel bites in Skinny Queso Dip, Honey Mustard, Nacho Cheese Sauce, Beer Cheese Dip, or Pepperoni Pizza Dip.

What is the secret ingredient which makes a pretzel taste like a pretzel?

Dipping the dough in an alkaline solution (in this case, baking soda) gives it that special flavor.

Do you have to boil pretzels before baking?

Yes! Boiling the soft pretzel bites in baking soda water for 30 seconds will give them that chewy texture you expect from pretzels. So this is how they manage to be soft and chewy on the inside, while staying a bit crispy on the outside.

How do you get salt to stick to pretzel bites?

Sprinkle on the salt as soon as the pretzels come out of the boiling water. The water will help the salt stick!

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (5)

More Homemade Pretzel Recipes To Try

  • Homemade Soft Pretzels
  • Garlic Parmesan Soft Pretzels
  • …or try Pretzel Dogs!

5-Star Review

“Your recipe was so easy to follow and the pretzel bites were perfect. Wonderful recipe…wonderful directions. Thank you!” -Janet C

Recipe

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe

4.50 from 153 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 20 minutes minutes

Total: 30 minutes minutes

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

Serves8

Print Rate

Save Shop our store

This easy Soft Pretzel Bites recipe is made in under 30 minutes! Simple, salty, delicious pretzel bites to serve with cheese sauce, mustard, or dips at any party.

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

Ingredients

  • cups milk 284 grams, warm (110°F)
  • 2 tablespoons honey 44 grams
  • teaspoons active dry yeast 7 grams (1 envelope)
  • ½ cup egg whites 140 grams (from 4 large eggs)
  • 1 tablespoon water 14 grams
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour 480 grams
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 grams
  • ½ cup baking soda 144 grams
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt 9 grams

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

  • Pour the warmed milk into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Top with honey and the yeast and stir to combine. Allow to sit for approximately 10 minutes. The yeast will become like a foam, which means it's ready.

    1¼ cups milk, 2 tablespoons honey, 2½ teaspoons active dry yeast

    Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (8)

  • Fill a large pot about halfway full with water and allow to come to a boil over medium-high heat.

    Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (9)

  • Whisk together the egg whites with 1 tablespoon of water and set aside.

    ½ cup egg whites, 1 tablespoon water

  • Add the flour and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to the mixer. Mix on low with for about 3 minutes until the dough comes together in one ball. Add more flour if needed. The dough will stick together, but will not be sticky on your hands.

    4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt

    Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

  • Place the dough on a clean work surface and form the dough into a ball. It's not necessary to flour your counter. Section the dough into four parts and roll each part into a long strand. Cut each strand into 1-inch sections using a butter knife. You should be able to make about 12-16 bites per strand.

    Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (11)

  • Carefully, add the baking soda to the boiling water. Be careful, the baking soda will bubble up, so add slowly. Place the dough bites into the boiling water about 10 at a time, and "flash cook" for 20-30 seconds for each batch. Using a slotted spoon, take the dough out of water and allow to cool.

    ½ cup baking soda

    Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (12)

  • Arrange all flashed cooked pretzel bites on the parchment-lined baking sheet so they are not touching. Brush each bite with egg white mixture and sprinkle with the coarse sea salt.

    1 tablespoon coarse sea salt

    Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (13)

  • Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until the tops are browned. Remove from oven, and allow to cool slightly.

    Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (14)

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • When preparing the pretzel bite dough, it should stick together but NOT stick to your hands. Add more flour if it needs help forming into dough.
  • You don’t need to flour your countertop before creating the pretzel bites.

Storage:Store pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 3-4 bites Calories: 277kcal (14%) Carbohydrates: 54g (18%) Protein: 10g (20%) Fat: 2g (3%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g Cholesterol: 5mg (2%) Sodium: 3256mg (142%) Potassium: 161mg (5%) Fiber: 2g (8%) Sugar: 6g (7%) Vitamin A: 62IU (1%) Vitamin C: 0.03mg Calcium: 59mg (6%) Iron: 3mg (17%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (15)

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (16)

Upload A PhotoTag on
Insta
Leave A Rating

How to Make Pretzel Bites Step by Step

Bloom the Yeast: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Pour 1¼ cups of warmed milk into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Top with 2 tablespoons of honey and 2½ teaspoons (1 envelope) of active dry yeast and stir to combine. Allow to sit for approximately 10 minutes. The yeast will become like a foam, which means it’s ready.

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (17)

Boil the Water: Fill a large pot about halfway full with water and allow it to come to a boil over medium-high heat. Whisk together ½ cup of egg whites with 1 tablespoon of water and set aside.

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (18)

Make the Dough: Add 4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to the mixer with the yeast mixture. Mix on low with for about 3 minutes until the dough comes together in one ball. Add more flour if needed. The dough will stick together, but will not be sticky on your hands.

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (19)

Cut the Dough: Place the dough on a clean work surface and form the dough into a ball. It’s not necessary to flour your counter. Section the dough into four parts and roll each part into a long strand. Cut each strand into 1-inch sections using a butter knife. You should be able to make about 12-16 bites per strand.

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (20)

Boil the Bites: Carefully, add ½ cup of baking soda to the boiling water. Be careful, the baking soda will bubble up, so add slowly. Place the dough bites into the boiling water about 10 at a time, and “flash cook” for 20-30 seconds for each batch. Using a slotted spoon, take the dough out of the water and allow it to cool.

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (21)

Season the Bites: Arrange all flashed cooked pretzel bites on the parchment-lined baking sheet so they are not touching. Brush each bite with egg white mixture and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt.

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (22)

Bake the Bites: Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until the tops are browned. Remove from oven, and allow to cool slightly.

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (23)

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (24)

Claim your free ebook!

Subscribe to have posts delivered straight to your inbox!! PLUS get our FREE ebook!

Sign Me Up

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

Why did you dip your pretzel dough into baking soda and water? ›

Like lye, baking soda is an alkaline substance, and when mixed with water and brushed over the pretzel dough, it changes the pH of the dough and gelates the surface starch. In the oven, the starch gel hardens and the alkaline baking soda makes browning happen fast.

How do you cook Costco soft pretzel bites? ›

Baking your Pretzel Bites Preheat oven to 425. Top each of the pretzel bites with 1 beaten egg + 1 tbsp of water (optional, an egg wash will give you that golden brown crust when baking) and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

How do you make pretzel bites soft again? ›

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Drizzle a small amount of water over the pretzel so that the pretzel is moist but not soggy. Wrap your pretzel in aluminum foil and place it in the oven for five minutes.

What is the secret solution for Auntie Anne's pretzels? ›

Whisk together 2 cups (454 grams) of warm water and the 1/3 cup (90 grams) baking soda in a shallow dish. Dip the pretzels into the baking soda bath. Flip and dip the other side. Place the dipped pretzels onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Why do you boil soft pretzels before baking? ›

The answer lies in a brief dip in an alkaline water bath before baking. This bath essentially gelatinizes the outside of the pretzel, preventing it from fully “springing” during baking (as bread does) and giving pretzels their signature chewy crust. It also gives them their unique and indelible “pretzel” flavor.

How do you keep soft pretzel bites warm for a party? ›

Simply wrap all the pretzel bites tightly in foil, sealing the edges together, then place in your oven on “keep warm,” or 170F.

How long do you put a soft pretzel in the oven? ›

If desired, you can cover and refrigerate the boiled/unbaked pretzels for up to 24 hours before baking in step 7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and serve warm with spicy nacho cheese sauce.

What do you eat with soft pretzel bites? ›

What pairs well with soft pretzels?
  1. Creamy smoked Gouda cheese dip (recipe below)!
  2. Mustard: yellow, honey, dijon, or whole grain.
  3. Beer cheese dip.
  4. Warm marinara sauce.
  5. Garlic aioli.
  6. Ranch dressing.
  7. Hummus.
  8. Spicy sriracha mayo.

Is pizza dough and pretzel dough the same? ›

Pretzel doughs are typically made with 40 to 45% dough absorption, while pizza doughs are typically made with around 55% dough absorption. Dough absorption is the amount of water added to the dough expressed as a percentage of the flour weight. Check out the RECIPE BANK for some dough formulas and procedures.

How to make frozen soft pretzels taste better? ›

A Twist on Toppings: 6 Delicious Toppings for Frozen Soft...
  1. Salt: Salt is the original soft pretzel topping, dating back to the earliest soft pretzel recipes. ...
  2. Cinnamon Sugar: For a sweeter twist on the classic soft pretzel, consider cinnamon sugar. ...
  3. Cheese: ...
  4. Honey Mustard: ...
  5. Marinara: ...
  6. Chocolate Sauce:
Oct 26, 2023

Why are my soft pretzels bitter? ›

Why Do My Pretzels Taste Bitter? If your pretzels have any sort of a metallic, bitter taste, it all comes down to the baking soda bath.

How do you heat store bought pretzel bites? ›

Bake in your pre-heated 350° oven for 4-6 minutes, just enough to heat the pretzel through completely, and to dry the salt adhering to the tops. Serve immediately for a crisp crust and tender center crumb freshness.

How do you cook Auntie Anne's frozen pretzel bites? ›

Classic Pretzel Nuggets:
  1. Heat unopened, frozen butter packet in microwave for 30–40 seconds.
  2. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 425°.
  3. Remove frozen nuggets from pouch and place on a baking sheet.
  4. Bake in oven for 3–5 minutes or until heated through.
  5. Spread/brush butter onto heated nuggets and sprinkle on salt. Enjoy!

How do you cook Eastern Standard pretzel bites? ›

Directions: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Thaw One-Timer Soft Pretzel Bites. Slice diagonally & assemble on baking sheet, then bake for 2-3 minutes.

Why do you put dough in baking soda water? ›

Baking powder and baking soda are both leavening agents, which means they cause dough or batter to expand by releasing gas.

What is the purpose of adding baking soda to dough? ›

In summary, the purpose of adding baking soda to dough is to generate carbon dioxide gas, which causes the dough to rise and become light and fluffy. This is important because it makes the dough easier to work with and results in a better texture and flavor in the final baked product.

What is the traditional dipping liquid for pretzels? ›

Traditional Bavarian pretzels are dipped in a lye solution before they are baked. Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide, is essentially the same stuff that's used to make soap and clean drains. It can even dissolve glass.

Can you skip the baking soda bath for pretzels? ›

The boiling water also locks in the shape so the pretzels don't over-puff in the oven. (Without the baking soda bath, you lose texture, that deep brown color, and flavor. So, basically, you will have bite-size bread instead of pretzels.)

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. Nancy Dach

Last Updated:

Views: 5733

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. Nancy Dach

Birthday: 1993-08-23

Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589

Phone: +9958996486049

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.