These easy homemade soft pretzel bites are warm, fluffy on the inside, and perfectly golden on the outside. They have that classic bakery-style chew with a light buttery finish, making them ideal for snacking, parties, or serving alongside your favorite dips.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Made with simple pantry ingredients you likely already have
Soft and chewy texture just like mall-style pretzels
Perfect bite-sized shape for sharing or dipping
Beginner-friendly dough with straightforward steps
Bakes quickly and fills your kitchen with an amazing aroma
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Warm water – 1 ½ cups (about 110°F / 43°C)
Granulated sugar – 1 tablespoon
Active dry yeast – 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet)
All-purpose flour – 4 cups
Fine salt – 1 teaspoon
Unsalted butter, melted – 2 tablespoons
For the baking soda bath
Water – 10 cups
Baking soda – ⅔ cup
For topping
Egg yolk – 1
Water – 1 tablespoon
Coarse salt – 1 to 2 teaspoons
Unsalted butter, melted (for brushing after baking) – 2 tablespoons
Directions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and granulated sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for 5 minutes, until foamy.
Add the salt, melted butter, and flour to the yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 4 to 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Bring 10 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Carefully add the baking soda and reduce to a gentle boil.
Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a long rope about 18 inches long, then cut into 1-inch pieces.
Working in batches, place the dough pieces into the baking soda bath for 20 to 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on the prepared baking sheets.
Whisk together the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water. Brush the mixture over the pretzel bites, then sprinkle with coarse salt.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and immediately brush with melted butter. Serve warm.
Cinnamon sugar pretzel bites: Skip the salt topping and toss baked pretzel bites in melted butter mixed with cinnamon and sugar.
Cheesy pretzel bites: Sprinkle finely grated cheddar or mozzarella on top before baking.
Garlic butter pretzel bites: Brush with garlic-infused butter after baking and sprinkle with dried parsley.
Sesame pretzel bites: Replace coarse salt with sesame seeds before baking.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
To reheat, warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5 to 7 minutes until heated through. They can also be reheated in an air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes.
FAQs
Can I make pretzel bites without yeast?
Traditional soft pretzels rely on yeast for their chewy texture. Without yeast, the result will be more bread-like and less authentic.
Why do pretzels need a baking soda bath?
The baking soda bath gives pretzels their signature chewy crust and deep golden color.
Can I freeze pretzel bites?
Yes, baked pretzel bites freeze well. Let them cool completely, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
How do I reheat frozen pretzel bites?
Reheat directly from frozen in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes.
Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?
Yes, instant yeast works well. You can mix it directly with the dry ingredients and skip the blooming step.
What dipping sauces go well with pretzel bites?
Cheese sauce, mustard, honey mustard, or a simple garlic yogurt dip all pair well.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature before shaping.
Why are my pretzel bites dense?
Dense pretzels usually mean the dough was under-kneaded or the yeast was not active.
Can I make these pretzel bites dairy-free?
Yes, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative or neutral oil.
How small should I cut the pretzel bites?
About 1 inch pieces work best to ensure even baking and a soft interior.
Conclusion
These easy homemade soft pretzel bites are a fun and rewarding treat that delivers classic flavor with minimal effort. Whether served plain, dipped, or customized with your favorite toppings, they’re a crowd-pleasing snack you’ll want to make again and again.
These easy homemade soft pretzel bites are soft, chewy, and golden with a buttery finish. Perfect for snacking, dipping, or sharing, they bring classic pretzel flavor to your kitchen with simple ingredients and no special equipment.
Author:Sophia
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:8 servings
Category:Snack
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon fine salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the baking soda bath: 10 cups water, 2/3 cup baking soda
For topping: 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon water, 1–2 teaspoons coarse salt, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for brushing after baking)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and granulated sugar. Sprinkle yeast over top and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Add salt, melted butter, and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for 4–5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and rest for 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Carefully add 2/3 cup baking soda and reduce to a gentle boil.
Divide dough into 6 equal portions. Roll each into an 18-inch rope and cut into 1-inch pieces.
Working in batches, boil pretzel bites in the baking soda bath for 20–30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on baking sheets.
Whisk egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water. Brush over pretzel bites and sprinkle with coarse salt.
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove from oven and immediately brush with melted butter. Serve warm.
Notes
For cinnamon sugar bites, skip the salt and toss baked bites in butter and cinnamon sugar.
To make cheesy bites, sprinkle cheese on top before baking.
Brush with garlic butter and parsley for a savory twist.
Use sesame seeds instead of salt for a different flavor.
Freeze baked bites for up to 2 months and reheat as needed.
