Fluffy and golden with that signature salted taste, these pretzel bites are a wonderful German-inspired snack or appetizer that you can serve to family and friends. They are bite-sized pieces of bread that can be served as they are or dunked into a mustard dipping sauce that is full of savoriness, spiciness, and sweetness.
To make the pretzel bites, you first make a dough by mixing water with yeast, sugar, butter, flour, and salt until combined. Then, once it has doubled in size, it gets shaped into bites before being set aside to rise again. Then, the bites get boiled in a pot of baking soda-infused water before they are scooped out, placed on a baking sheet, brushed with egg wash and sprinkled with coarse salt, and baked in the oven. The coarse salt takes them over the top, adding wonderful flavor and some crunch.
What are Pretzel Bites?
Pretzel bites are inspired by classic German soft pretzels which are enjoyed as a street food or at festivals throughout the year. Normally, German pretzels are boiled in a lye mixture but this version uses baking soda instead. The flavor will be a little different but the baking soda helps the pretzel bites become golden brown, similar to if you were to use a lye solution.
Pro Tips
- Double-check that your yeast is still fresh before you begin making this recipe.
- If you find that the dough isn’t rising very quickly, you may need to move it to a warmer location in your home.
- Don’t skip the step of boiling the dough in the water with baking soda as this is important for the pretzels’ flavor and it will also help them become golden brown.
- Use coarse salt rather than a table salt for the garnish as it will add an appealing texture and crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do You Put on Pretzel Bites?
This version calls for a sprinkling of coarse salt on top but you can get creative if preferred. They would also be delicious with shredded cheese or seeds on top, such as sesame seeds or poppy seeds.
Can I Make Sweet Pretzel Bites?
Yes, you could! For this pretzel variation, simply omit the coarse salt topping when you bake the pretzels. Then, at the end of the baking time, you could toss the bites with a little melted butter followed by cinnamon sugar. Alternatively, you could dust them in powdered sugar and serve them with a chocolate or caramel dipping sauce.
What Can I Serve With Pretzel Bites?
Homemade pretzel bites are delicious with German mustard or a honey mustard sauce if you prefer something a little sweeter. You could also dunk them into a beer cheese dip for extra indulgence.
How to Store Pretzel Bites
Leftover pretzel bites can be stored in a sealed plastic bag or container at room temperature for up to 3 to 4 days. Alternatively, feel free to freeze them for up to 3 months.
Ingredients
How to Make Pretzel Bites
In a bowl, whisk the water with the yeast, and sugar until combined. Add the butter, flour, and salt, and stir with a spatula until a dough is formed. Cover it with plastic wrap and allow it to rise for 1 hour.
In a bowl, whisk the water with the yeast, and sugar until combined. Add the butter, flour, and salt, and stir with a spatula until a dough is formed. Cover it with plastic wrap and allow it to rise for 1 hour.
Cut the dough into three pieces and roll them into logs.
Cut the dough into three pieces and roll them into logs.
Use scissors to cut each log into bite-sized pieces.
Use scissors to cut each log into bite-sized pieces.
Place the bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover them with a kitchen towel, and allow them to rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
Place the bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover them with a kitchen towel, and allow them to rise until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
Bring a pot of water to a boil with the baking soda. Add the pretzel bites and boil them for 10 to 15 seconds before removing them to a baking sheet.
Bring a pot of water to a boil with the baking soda. Add the pretzel bites and boil them for 10 to 15 seconds before removing them to a baking sheet.
Brush the bites with the egg wash and sprinkle them with coarse salt. Bake them in a 374 F (190 C) oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
Brush the bites with the egg wash and sprinkle them with coarse salt. Bake them in a 374 F (190 C) oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
Serve and enjoy!
Serve and enjoy!
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