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Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe

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These Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites are the perfect snack for sharing, featuring a soft, chewy interior with a golden, salty crust. Made from a simple yeast dough, boiled briefly in a baking soda bath to achieve that classic pretzel texture, then baked and brushed with buttery goodness, these bite-sized treats are ideal for parties, game days, or anytime you crave a warm, comforting snack.

Ingredients

Dough

  • 1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115°F) milk or water
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 (0.25-ounce) package active dry yeast
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter, plus extra for brushing
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

Boiling Solution and Topping

  • 9 cups water
  • 1/3 cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg (whisked with 1 tablespoon water)
  • Pretzel salt or coarse sea salt, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Mix the dough. Whisk together the warm milk and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer bowl. Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the surface and let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast foams up and activates, indicating it is ready to use.
  2. Knead the dough. Add the flour, melted butter, and fine sea salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a spoon until combined, then knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 4 minutes until smooth, or use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook to knead on medium speed for 4 minutes. Add a bit more flour as needed if the dough is too sticky.
  3. Let the dough rise. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough inside, and cover with a damp towel. Let it rest in a warm spot for 20 to 30 minutes until the dough has doubled in size.
  4. Prep oven and boiling solution. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large stockpot or saucepan, combine 9 cups of water with 1/3 cup baking soda and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  5. Form the pretzel bites. Turn the risen dough onto a lightly oiled work surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 3/4-inch wide. Cut each rope into 1-inch long pieces to form individual pretzel bites.
  6. Boil the pretzel bites. Carefully transfer about a dozen pretzel bites at a time into the boiling baking soda water using a spatula or spider strainer. Boil each batch for approximately 30 seconds, then remove and place on the prepared parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them apart so they do not touch.
  7. Add egg wash and salt. Brush each pretzel bite generously with the egg wash (whisked egg and water mixture). Sprinkle pretzel salt or coarse sea salt over them to give that signature pretzel flavor and texture.
  8. Bake the pretzel bites. Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until the pretzel bites reach a golden brown color.
  9. Optional butter brushing. For extra richness, brush the hot pretzel bites immediately after baking with additional melted butter.
  10. Serve warm. These pretzel bites are best enjoyed fresh and warm from the oven. Serve immediately and enjoy their soft, buttery, and salty goodness.

Notes

  • Be sure the yeast activates properly and bubbles before kneading to ensure the dough will rise well.
  • Adjust flour amounts slightly if the dough feels too wet or sticky while kneading.
  • Boiling pretzels in baking soda water gives the crust its characteristic chewiness and color when baked.
  • Use coarse or pretzel salt for the authentic salty topping, but feel free to customize with other toppings like sesame seeds or cinnamon sugar.
  • For best results, serve pretzel bites the same day they are baked, as freshness is key to their soft texture.

Find it online: https://cozyplatter.com/buttery-soft-pretzel-bites-recipe/