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

How do you keep pretzel bites soft? ›

Storing Freshly Baked Soft Pretzels

For those times when you have freshly baked soft pretzels, here's how to keep them tasting great: Cool Before Storage: Let pretzels cool completely to avoid moisture build-up. Individually Wrapped: Wrap each pretzel in plastic wrap to protect against dry air.

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.

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 do you get salt to stick to pretzel bites? ›

Lightly spray (mist) the tops of the pretzels with cool water from a distance of at least at least 18”. You don't want to soak the skin, just moisten it. LIGHTLY Sprinkle the Pretzel Salt provided to have a small amount on each pretzel. You can re-use any salt that falls off onto the sheetpan after your baking process.

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

While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath with 2 cups warm water and 2 tbsp baking soda. Be certain to stir often. After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into a long rope (about 1/2 inch or less thick) and shape. Dip pretzel in soda solution and place on greased baking sheet.

Do I have to boil my pretzels before baking? ›

Like bagels, pretzels are made in boiling water prior to baking to give them their snappy outsides and chewy insides (messy!). Soft pretzels must be boiled, or dipped in a baking soda bath (or lye if you're gusty and strict with your pretzel traditions). THEN, they can be baked.

What happens if you don't boil pretzels in baking soda? ›

As a result, the pretzel darkens better in the oven (if this step weren't taken, pretzels would have the same color as plain bagels) and the soft pretzel develops its crispy — yet chewy — texture for which it's known. Typically a half cup of baking soda is used in two quarts of water for the solution.

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.

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

Oven Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 425°. Dampen pretzels with water. Sprinkle with salt. Bake approximately 12 – 15 minutes.

Are Auntie Anne's pretzels soft? ›

Original Pretzel

The original twist that started it all; a simple, buttery and salty soft pretzel that is better than the best.

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 soften Auntie Anne's pretzels? ›

If pretzel is frozen, allow it to thaw. Wrap pretzel in foil and bake approximately 3 minutes. Microwave Oven: If pretzel is frozen, allow it to thaw. Microwave pretzel for approximately 10-15 seconds on medium setting.

How do you keep homemade pretzel bites fresh? ›

Let pretzel bites cool completely. Place them on a baking sheet so they are not touching and freeze until solid, about 1 hour (this flash freezing prevents them from sticking to each other). Place in a large freezer bag or smaller plastic bags for individual servings. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Why are my pretzels hard? ›

Soft pretzels can usually be baked in 15 minutes; hard pretzels, meanwhile, must be baked for up to an hour. The longer baking time further dries out the pretzel. And, as we have discussed, the lack of moisture is what gives the hard pretzel its brittle texture.

Why do soft pretzels get wet? ›

Pretzel products naturally have moisture in them and that moisture causes the pretzel salt to melt. While the pretzel is perfectly safe to eat and will retain the salted flavor, this melting will cause the pretzel product to appear wrinkled and may get a slightly wet feel to it.

How long do you microwave soft pretzel bites? ›

If using microwave: Place pretzel bites on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave until heated through, about 15 seconds per every 10 bites. Bon appétit!

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tish Haag

Last Updated:

Views: 6485

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tish Haag

Birthday: 1999-11-18

Address: 30256 Tara Expressway, Kutchburgh, VT 92892-0078

Phone: +4215847628708

Job: Internal Consulting Engineer

Hobby: Roller skating, Roller skating, Kayaking, Flying, Graffiti, Ghost hunting, scrapbook

Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.