Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites
Warm, chewy homemade soft pretzel bites made with yeast dough, a baking soda bath, egg wash, and coarse salt.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast just under one packet
- 1 1/4 cups warm milk 110°F to 120°F
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour plus more only if needed
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda for the water bath
- 1 large egg beaten with 1 to 2 tablespoons water
- coarse salt for topping
Instructions
Instructions
- Pour the warm milk into the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk, add the honey, and stir gently. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until foamy.
- Add the flour and sea salt. Knead with the dough hook on low speed for about 3 minutes, until the dough comes together in a ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Turn the dough out onto a clean, unfloured counter. Cut it into 4 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a rope about 20 to 24 inches long. Cut each rope into bite-size pieces about 1 inch wide.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the baking soda slowly because it will bubble up.
- Boil the pretzel bites in batches of 10 to 15 for 30 seconds, then remove with a slotted spoon and place on the prepared baking sheets.
- Brush the bites with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, until the tops are browned.
- If mixing by hand, stir the dough until stiff, then knead on a lightly floured counter for 4 to 5 minutes before shaping.
Notes
Use parchment paper so the pretzel bites release cleanly. Add the baking soda to the boiling water slowly because it bubbles up quickly. Work in batches so the pot is not overcrowded. Pretzel bites are best warm, but leftovers can be reheated in a 350°F oven for a few minutes.
