These soft pretzel bites come together in a little over an hour and are perfect for those game day parties, tailgates, or even as a tasty little snack!
Put warm water, yeast, and sugar in a mixing bowl. Let stand for 4 to 5 minutes for the yeast to start to foam. If water is too hot, it will kill the yeast, and too cold it will delay activation of the yeast. The wait time allows the yeast to get activated and foam. If it does not foam after the time, this could mean your yeast might not be active and could impact the final product.
MIX THE DOUGH
Add flour and salt. Mix using a dough hook for 3 to 4 minutes or add to a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook and mix. The dough will be slightly sticky.
Cover the dough bowl with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and let it rest for 45 minutes in a draft-free place. My kitchen is very drafty, so I put my bowl in the microwave.
PREPARE THE WATER
While the dough is resting, bring the 4 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat off and add the baking soda. Stir to combine. Let the water cool until the dough is ready.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or oil the baking sheet. Set aside.
MAKE THE PRETZEL BITES
After the dough rests for 45 minutes, pour 1 teaspoon olive oil on a clean surface.
Remove the dough from the bowl and place on prepared surface.
Cut the dough into 4 pieces and roll each piece into a rope, roughly a foot long.
Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces. You should have approximately 48 pieces.
Place a few of the cut bites into the water for 30 to 60 seconds.
Scoop them out and place them on the prepared cookie sheet.
Repeat steps 12 and 13 for all the bites.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until the bites are nice and golden brown.
Remove the pan from the oven.
Brush the bites with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt if desired.
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Enjoy!
Notes
the wait time after adding the sugar and water to the yeast allows the yeast to get activated and start to foam. If it does not foam after the time, this could mean your yeast might not be active and could impact the final product.
if you don't have a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, you can use a hand held dough hook.
my kitchen can get drafty, so I put my dough bowl in the microwave while it rests.
I noticed with testing if you put less baking soda in the boiling water, the final bites will be pale when they come out of the oven.
try with different seasonings like everything bagel, cajun, southwest, french fry, even cinnamon sugar!
sprinkle the soft pretzel bites with a nutty cheese like parmesan or asiago.
if you don't have a silicone mat you can use parchment paper or a well greased pan.
even though the dough doesn't need to rise, letting it rest in the bowl before cutting give the pretzel bites a fluffy texture.
brush with melted butter right out of the oven for a richer flavor.