Soft Pretzel Bites
These Soft Pretzel Bites are soft on the inside and chewy on the outside. This dough only requires one rise time, and they only take 15 minutes to bake. Sprinkle coarse sea salt on the pretzels and serve with a homemade spicy nacho cheese or stone ground mustard, or coat them in cinnamon sugar for your sweet tooth.

The details
making the dough
This dough is straight forward and only requires one rise. This recipe uses instant yeast, so you don’t have to worry about blooming your yeast. It can simply be mixed directly in with your other ingredients.
In the bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with the dough hook attachment, you’ll add your yeast, warm water (it should be between 108 and 112 degrees Fahrenheit), sugar, flour, butter, and salt. Knead for 5 minutes on medium-low speed. If mixing by hand, you’ll want to knead the dough for 10 minutes. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
proofing the dough (the only rise time needed)
This pretzel dough can be proofed two ways – room temperature or in a warm oven. I always like using my warm oven trick, because I simply don’t have time for allowing dough to rise for hours, because I’m usually preoccupied chasing my three boys around the house. If you choose to allow the dough to rise at room temperature, it takes 1 1/2 hours.
If, however, you’d like a faster rise time, warm your oven to 100F. Once your oven reaches that temperature, turn your oven off. Place the covered dough in the warm oven for 45 minutes.
shaping the dough
On a floured surface, you’ll divide the dough into 6 roughly equal pieces. Keep the other pieces covered while you work with one piece at a time. Roll into a rope that measures 3/4 inches in thickness (doesn’t have to be completely accurate, just close). Divide the rope into 1 1/2 to 2 inch pieces for the soft pretzel bites.
Repeat with remaining dough. Keep soft pretzel bites covered, so that the dough doesn’t form a skin/dry out.
baking soda bath
Before boiling the pretzels, preheat your oven to 400F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Whisk together water and baking soda in a large pot, then bring to a boil. Boil 15-20 pretzel bites at a time for a quick 10-15 seconds. Use a large slotted spoon to scoop the pretzel bites out, allowing the excess water to drip for a second or two, then place onto prepared baking sheet.
If you plan to coat these in salt, sprinkle coarse salt over the soft pretzel bites while they are still wet. If you plan to coat them in cinnamon sugar, leave them plain.
baking and serving
Bake the pretzel bites for 15 minutes in preheated oven or until golden brown. You can serve the salted pretzel bites with a homemade nacho cheese sauce, or stone ground mustard.
If you choose to coat the soft pretzel bites in cinnamon sugar, add the pretzel bites to a bowl, then drizzle the melted butter over top. Toss to combine, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

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Soft Pretzel Bites
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: roughly 4 dozen 1x
Description
These Soft Pretzel Bites are soft on the inside and chewy on the outside. This dough only requires one rise time, and they only take 15 minutes to bake. Sprinkle coarse sea salt on the pretzels and serve with a homemade spicy nacho cheese or stone ground mustard, or coat them in cinnamon sugar for your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant yeast
- 1 cup warm water, warmed to 110F
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon salt
Baking Soda Bath
- 1/3 cup baking soda
- 8 cups water
Topping
Salt Version:
- coarse salt/coarse sea salt
Cinnamon Sugar Version:
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar + 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Nacho Cheese Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/8 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/8 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, add yeast, water, sugar, flour, butter and salt. Knead on medium-low speed for 5 minutes. Place dough in greased bowl. Spray the top of the dough with nonstick cooking spray, then cover with plastic wrap.
2. Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 45 minutes to 60 minutes in a warm place, or until roughly doubled in size. (I like to turn the oven on until it reaches100F, then turn the oven off. Place covered dough in warm oven for 45 minutes.)
3. Cut dough into roughly 6 equal pieces. Keep the other pieces covered, while you work with one at a time. Roll into a ¾” rope. Cut into pieces that are 1 ½ to 2 inches.
4. Preheat oven and prepare your baking sheet: Preheat oven to 400F. Line two baking sheets with a piece of parchment paper. Set aside.
4. Baking Soda Bath: In a large pot, add water and baking soda. Whisk to combine. Bring to a boil. Boil 15-20 pretzel bites for a quick 10-15 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to lift the pretzel bites out of the water, and place onto prepared baking sheet. If using salt as a topping, sprinkle salt over pretzel bites, while they are still wet. If you plan to coat them in cinnamon sugar, leave them plain.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until pretzel bites are golden brown.
6. While the pretzel bites cook, you can make the Nacho Cheese Sauce, if desired. In a skillet, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook additional minute. Slowly pour in milk until mixture is smooth and combined. Remove from heat and stir in cheese, chili powder and paprika. Stir until cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.
7. If you are coating your pretzel bites in cinnamon sugar, add the cooked pretzel bites to a bowl. Drizzle melted butter over pretzel bites and toss to combine. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over pretzel bites and toss to combine.
- Prep Time: 60
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Bread
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American