Who does not like the warm and delicious pretzels from the mall? We are a big fan of the fresh Pretzels and these Homemade soft pretzel bites are the best thing ever to bake at home. One of the most simplest recipe and there is no shaping.
I have a confession to make! Hope you would not be seeing me differently after I confess saying that 'I do not like Shopping'. When I need something for myself or my family, I go to that particular shops or shops, get what we need and I am done. I still go to the mall as I just love seeing the crowd and most importantly to get a whiff from the pretzel stall in the mall.
Everyone in my family love pretzels. I am talking about the soft, doughy pretzel that are made fresh. We all have our different choices that we pick like for example, my husband would always get the jalapeno pretzel and my older one would get the garlic pretzel. My little one however, always gets the pretzel bites. He never gets the large ones and always gets the bite sized cup.
That is what made me come up with this post for today. I wanted to make the bite size soft pretzel bites with the exact same flavors of the shaped pretzel. I have talked about this when I had made the Bretzel rolls, that the pretzel gets its pretzel flavor and texture only if it gets into the Baking Soda Bath.
For newbie baker, this process could be a little overwhelming. It sure was for me when I made the bagels, but as we keep making them, it gets a lot easier. So much easier, that yesterday when I made these Pretzel Bites, I did not boil over my soda bath and did not have the messy clean up afterwards.
Why this recipe works
The dough for the soft pretzel bites is just a simple yeast dough. The unique texture of the pretzel which is the crusty, chewy exterior and a soft interior is attained by immersing the dough into the soda bath for about 30 seconds prior to baking.
This also gives the unique deep brown color of the crust. Once the dough is made and given the soda bath, it can be topped as you like. I have kept it very simple by just using some sea salt on top, but you could go ahead and use garlic salt, or make it a dessert by dipping them into butter and cinnamon sugar after they come out of the oven.
I am back to blogging after about 3 long months with this amazing soft Pretzel Bites recipe. It is so exciting to be baking again with my #BreadBakers buddies and I loved the theme for this month which is International Breads. Wendy, who blogs at A Day in the life on the Farm is the host for this month. I chose this recipe to represent the Germany as they are famous for their Pretzels.
Ingredients to make Pretzel Bites - Makes about 40 bite size pieces
To make the Dough -
- All purpose flour - 2 cups + ¼ cup more if needed
- Active dry yeast - 1 ¼ tsp
- Brown sugar - 2 tbsp
- Salt - 1 ¼ tsp
- Warm Water - ½ cup (plus about 2 to 3 tbsp more, if needed)
- Warm Milk - ¼ cup
- Butter - 2 tbsp + 2 tbsp more to brush on the pretzel bites when they come out of the oven
- Pretzel salt or crystal salt - to sprinkle on the pretzel bites
To make the Baking Soda Bath -
- Water - 2 liters / ½ Gallon
- Baking soda - ¼ cup
Procedure to make Pretzel Bites -
To make the dough -
- In the bowl of the stand mixer, add the warm water, brown sugar and yeast. Mix it well and let it sit for 10 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy.
- Once the yeast proves, add the milk, butter, salt and all purpose flour. Attach the hook attachment to the mixer and start mixing the dough.
- Once the mixtures comes together, turn the mixer on medium speed and let it knead the dough for 7 to 8 minutes. If the dough appears too wet, add a little bit more of the flour. If the dough is too dry, add a little more of warm water or milk.
- The dough should be soft and elastic and should not be sticky.
- Place the dough in a oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap and then a kitchen towel. Let the dough rise for about an hour or until it has doubled in volume.
To make the Baking Soda Bath -
- When the dough is ready to be shaped, place a large pot with 2 liters of water. Let the water come to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat and then slowly add the baking soda. DO NOT ADD the entire soda at once. This will cause the entire water to boil over. I have been there and done that when making my Bretzel Rolls.
To Shape the Pretzel Bites -
- I shaped my dough once I kept the pot of water to heat.
- Place the proved dough on floured work surface. Gently pat it down and then divide into 5 parts.
- Stretch each part into a thin rectangle / tube. I did not roll the pieces into a cylinder as I don't see them in that shape in the stores. I simply stretched my dough into a thin long rectangle.
- Dived each stretched piece into bit size piece (about 1 inch long).
- Cover with a kitchen towel until they are ready to go into the baking soda bath.
Baking the Pretzel Bites -
- Preheat the oven to 425 F. I preheated the oven before starting the baking soda bath. That way I had enough time to get it warmed up.
- Line a baking sheet (or two) with parchment paper or grease the baking sheet to avoid sticking.
- Place the shaped soft pretzel bites dough into the baking soda bath and swirl it around for 20 to 30 seconds. I placed about 10 pieces at a time in the bath.
- Remove the pieces with a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared sheets, making sure that they are not touching each other.
- Sprinkle with the crystal salt or pretzel salt.
- Repeat the same with the rest of the pieces.
- Bake them in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes. I would keep an eye from 12 minutes on and also would rotate the tray half way through the baking process for even browning. Mine were ready in about 13 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and brush with melted butter when they are still warm.
Storing the leftover Pretzel Bites -
- Pretzels do not store very well when they are kept in air tight boxes. I have talked about this in my Bretzel Rolls post as well. All the extra salt in the pretzel top makes the pretzel soggy when kept in air tight container.
- I usually store mine right on the tray on the counter top just loosely covered with a kitchen cloth. I did not any left this time as I had made just enough to feed my hungry boys, but if I had any left, I would have done exactly this and would have tried to use it up the next day.
If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | twitter
Homemade soft Pretzel Bites
Equipment
- Oven
- Stand Mixer
Ingredients
TO MAKE THE DOUGH -
- 2 cups All purpose flour 2 cups + ¼ cup more if needed
- 1 ¼ tsp Active dry yeast
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 ¼ tsp Salt
- ½ cup Warm Water plus about 2 to 3 tbsp more, if needed
- ¼ cup Warm Milk - ¼ cup
- 4 tbsp Butter 2 tbsp + 2 tbsp more to brush on the pretzel bites when they come out of the oven
- 2 tsp Pretzel salt or crystal salt to sprinkle on the pretzel bites
TO MAKE THE BAKING SODA BATH -
- 2 liters Water
- ¼ cup Baking soda
Instructions
TO MAKE THE DOUGH -
- In the bowl of the stand mixer, add the warm water, brown sugar and yeast. Mix it well and let it sit for 10 minutes until the yeast becomes frothy.
- Once the yeast proves, add the milk, butter, salt and all purpose flour. Attach the hook attachment to the mixer and start mixing the dough.
- Once the mixtures comes together, turn the mixer on medium speed and let it knead the dough for 7 to 8 minutes. If the dough appears too wet, add a little bit more of the flour. If the dough is too dry, add a little more of warm water or milk.
- The dough should be soft and elastic and should not be sticky.
- Place the dough in a oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap and then a kitchen towel. Let the dough rise for about an hour or until it has doubled in volume.
TO MAKE THE BAKING SODA BATH -
- When the dough is ready to be shaped, place a large pot with 2 liters of water. Let the water come to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat and then slowly add the baking soda. DO NOT ADD the entire soda at once. This will cause the entire water to boil over. I have been there and done that when making my Bretzel Rolls.
TO SHAPE THE PRETZEL BITES -
- I shaped my dough once I kept the pot of water to heat.
- Place the proved dough on floured work surface. Gently pat it down and then divide into 5 parts.
- Stretch each part into a thin rectangle / tube. I did not roll the pieces into a cylinder as I don't see them in that shape in the stores. I simply stretched my dough into a thin long rectangle.
- Divide each stretched piece into bit size piece (about 1 inch long).
- Cover with a kitchen towel until they are ready to go into the baking soda bath.
BAKING THE PRETZEL BITES -
- Preheat the oven to 425 F. I preheated the oven before starting the baking soda bath. That way I had enough time to get it warmed up.
- Line a baking sheet (or two) with parchment paper or grease the baking sheet to avoid sticking.
- Place the shaped bites into the baking soda bath and swirl it around for 20 to 30 seconds. I placed about 10 pieces at a time in the bath.
- Remove the pieces with a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared sheets, making sure that they are not touching each other.
- Sprinkle with the crystal salt or pretzel salt.
- Repeat the same with the rest of the pieces.
- Bake them in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes. I would keep an eye from 12 minutes on and also would rotate the tray half way through the baking process for even browning. Mine were ready in about 13 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and brush with melted butter when they are still warm.
Notes
Pretzels do not store very well when they are kept in air tight boxes. I have talked about this in my Bretzel Rolls post as well. All the extra salt in the pretzel top makes the pretzel soggy when kept in air tight container. I usually store mine right on the tray on the counter top just loosely covered with a kitchen cloth. I did not any left this time as I had made just enough to feed my hungry boys, but if I had any left, I would have done exactly this and would have tried to use it up the next day.
Nutrition
- Apfelpfannkuchen (Apple Pancake)from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Auvergne Crown from Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Bauernbrot from All That's Left Are The Crumbs
- Bialys from Spill the Spices
- Boule from Bread Therapy
- Chilli and Coriander Scones from Sizzling Tastebuds
- Dutch Tiger Bread (Tijgerbolletjes)from Baking Sense
- Epi di Pan from Sara's Tasty Buds
- German Soft Pretzels (Laugenbrezel) from Hostess At Heart
- German Soft Pretzels from Herbivore Cucina
- Kardemummabullar from Ambrosia
- Pita Bread from Sneha's Recipe
- Pletzel from Cook's Hideout
- Pretzel bites from My Cooking Journey
- Savoury Kugelhopf from The Mad Scientist's Kitchen
- Slovak Bread Rolls(Rozky) from Mayuri's Jikoni
- Whole wheat Pita bread from Sonlicious
- Yemeni Kubaneh from Food Lust People Love
#BreadBakers is a group of bread loving bakers who get together once a month to bake bread with a common ingredient or theme. You can see all our of lovely bread by following our Pinterest board right here. Links are also updated after each event on the #BreadBakers home page.
We take turns hosting each month and choosing the theme/ingredient. If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, just send Stacy an email with your blog URL to [email protected].
Veronika Sykorova says
I love soft pretzels, I definitely need to try these ASAP!
Tammy says
These pretzel bites look so wonderful! I've not made my own yet but I can't wait to make my own soft pretzels 😀
Jacqueline Debono says
I love pretzels but have never tried them like this. Definitely on my to make list!
Heidy says
These Homemade soft pretzel bites came out perfect. Your instructions were awesome. My boys decided to make them for me the other day, and I just loved them so much, I begged for the recipe. My son gave me your link, and I have bookmarked these Homemade soft pretzel bites to make again. Happy New Year!!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Hi Heidy, thanks so much for writing to me. I am so glad that the pretzels recipe worked well and you liked them. Happy New Year to all of you!
Marta says
I won't judge you, as long as you don't judge me. I won't even go people watch... I have my select stores. In--Out---Home---Done. Now I have the recipe to make the pretzels also enjoy. Thank you for sharing!
Veronika says
There is nothing better than fresh homemade pretzels! I think I'll make it this weekend, my hubby will love them!
Leslie says
This recipe is all you need for the most perfect, soft pretzel bites! Absolutely perfect!
Chef Dennis says
These Pretzel Bites are mouthwatering! I am planning to make these for my sons when they get home.
dishnthekitchen says
I'm with you. I only go to the mall when I absolutely have to and then I make my visit so much better with a fresh pretzel. These pretzel bites would be impossible to resist!!
Denise says
These Soft Pretzel Bites look so chewy and delicious! I appreciate your informative post to help me make them!
Kalindi Patel says
I made this today and everyone loved them. Thanks for the recipe.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks a lot for trying out the recipe. I am so glad that everyone liked it.
Ruxana says
Looks so good!
Sonia says
Sandhya,
The rich golden color makes these tiny bites look awesome. My son is already nagging me to make these for him.I gotta bake these pretzels tonight.
Sonia
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks Sonia! These are really addictive and make sure to make enough to go around the house 🙂
Pavani says
My daughter loved the pretzel samples that are given out in the malls. She's been asking me to make them for quite some time now. You recipe looks perfect to try out. I'm sure both my kids will be super happy.
Teri says
This is such a great recipe. You know why? I've never been able to do the pretzel shape. This solves my problem, too easy. Love it. Perfect for fall snacking.
Soniya says
So I need to confess..I have never made pretzels at home 🙁 but after see your recipe which is so well explained..going to try this soon 🙂 Will share my feedback with you!
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
I love pretzel bites! They're kind of a treat when we head to mall (a reward for braving the general public?!) and we devour them.
I am amused that you had instructions for "leftover pretzel bites"... yeah - there'd be no leftovers in my house!! These look amazing!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
We do love our pretzels although we've never made just the bites. They would be great as appetizers! Before we leave for three months in the winter we make each of our three kids two dozen apiece plus the hot cheese dip. We will have to consider making your bites. They look so good and the color is wonderful.
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says
I love fresh and warm pretzels. and these pretzel bites look and sound wonderful. These sound like they'd be perfect for a family movie night.
Karyn Ryan says
I am scared stiff of making bread. It my nemesis. These pretzel bites look amazing and your photos make it look so easy. I'm going to try this!!!
Veronika says
My fiance has his new favorite snack now, pretzels) I think it is time for me to make it for him 😉
Swathi says
Homemade pretzels are always best treat. I love the idea of making it in bite size as kids love it more than whole pretzel.
Veena Azmanov says
I love pretzel and these bites look perfect for a treat. My kids will love this. Such a pretty color on them and love the sprinkle of rock salt. yum!
Noel Lizotte says
I'm in love with this recipe! Those pretzel bites are calling my name ...
Christine - Jar Of Lemons says
Always love pretzels, so pretzel bites would be amazing! These look delicious. Such a fun and amazing snack!
Adriana Lopez Martin says
Any baked treat I enjoy and pretzels are one of those that can be devoured in minutes. Nice to see you have your teen helping you in the kitchen
Deepika says
These little pretzels look so good, I can finish these in no time. My daughter loves them too. I will try to make these with my daughter, she will love it.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
I do love baking bread, and LOVE soft pretzels. These would not last long in my house that's for sure. A great rainy day project for sure.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
I have a love hate relationship with shopping. I only like doing it when I'm in the mood to shop. 🙂 I've never made pretzel anything, thinking that it was hard to make or something. However, I guess that's not the case, and I need to make these to dip asap!
Mayuri Patel says
My first intro to the pretzel was at a mall in UK. My niece insisted that I try one and loved the cheese one. I too hate browsing in the shops, just want to buy what I need and get out. Pretzel bites look cute and a much easier way to try making pretzels for a beginner like me.
Eileen says
Sandhya, I totally get it. I hate shopping too (except for food shopping). These little pretzel bites look so good. I could eat a whole tray of them.
Karen says
I bet your son was THRILLED that you made these!! They do look so golden and delish. So much easier than shaping and twisting too!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
My boys were super happy Karen! And it was a breeze for me as well because of no shaping. Thanks a lot.
Claire Thomas says
I've just come across you on Facebook. I LOVE pretzels but am terrified by the shaping, so will deffo gives these a try as an entry! Thanks so much cx
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks Claire for visiting me! This definitely is a great recipe for you. When in a hurry, I also do not like to mess around with shaping. My boys prefer this over the shaped pretzels.
Sowmya says
Welcome back to blogging Sandhya. Awaiting more such delicious posts from you.
These pretzel bites look so cute and well done. Am sure my daughter would love these. Yum
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks a lot Sowmya! My boys loved it. They disappeared in no time.
Kalyani says
welcome back Sandhya ! always a pleasure to read your posts. and these bites look perfect 🙂 Hope u had a great trip to India ...
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks Kalyani! Can't wait to join back the BM buddies again. We had a great time in India.
Wendy Klik says
Perfect little bites of goodness. Glad you are back.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks Wendy! Needed a kick in the back to get into routine and I am so happy to be back 🙂