Go Back
- 1 ½ cups warm water (between 110°F and 115°F) - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar - 2 teaspoons active dry yeast - 4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon salt - ½ cup baking soda - 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash) - Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling These ingredients form the base of your pretzel bites. The warm water helps activate the yeast. Sugar feeds the yeast, making it frothy. Flour provides the structure, while salt adds flavor. Baking soda gives that classic pretzel taste when you boil the bites. - ½ cup unsalted butter - 3 cloves garlic, finely minced - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, roughly chopped - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Garlic butter adds a rich, savory touch. Unsalted butter lets you control the salt. Fresh garlic and garlic powder pack tons of flavor. Parsley adds a fresh lift, while Italian seasoning enhances the taste. - Spicy mustard - Cheese sauce - Honey mustard - Marinara sauce These sauces bring extra joy to your pretzel bites. Spicy mustard adds heat, while cheese sauce is creamy and rich. Honey mustard combines sweet and savory, and marinara offers a classic dip. Feel free to mix and match! {{ingredient_image_2}} To start, you need to activate the yeast. In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of warm water, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons of active dry yeast. Let this sit for about 5-10 minutes. You will know it's ready when the mixture is frothy. This means the yeast is alive and ready to help your dough rise. Next, add 4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of salt to the bowl. Mix it well with a wooden spoon until a dough forms. Then, transfer the dough onto a floured surface. Knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic. This step is key for a chewy texture. Now it’s time to let the dough rise. Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl. Make sure it’s coated with oil to prevent sticking. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size. This is when the dough becomes fluffy. Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down. This helps release any air bubbles. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 1 inch thick. Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces to form the pretzel bites. Next, prepare to boil. In a large pot, bring about 10 cups of water to a rolling boil. Carefully add ½ cup of baking soda to the boiling water. It will bubble up, so be cautious. Drop the pretzel bites into the boiling water in batches. Let them cook for 30 seconds before removing them with a slotted spoon. Place the boiled bites on a prepared baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) while the dough rises. After boiling, brush the tops of the pretzel bites with a beaten egg. Sprinkle coarse sea salt over them for extra flavor. Bake for 12-15 minutes until they are golden brown and smell amazing. While the pretzel bites bake, melt ½ cup of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 3 finely minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Stir it until everything is well mixed and fragrant. This garlic butter will add delicious flavor to your pretzel bites. To activate yeast, use warm water. The ideal range is 110°F to 115°F. If the water is too hot, it can kill the yeast. Mix warm water with sugar and yeast in a bowl. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. If it becomes frothy, your yeast is active and ready. Kneading is key for soft pretzel bites. After mixing the ingredients, transfer the dough to a floured surface. Use the palms of your hands to push down and fold the dough. Knead for about 5-7 minutes. The dough should feel smooth and elastic when done. Boiling pretzel bites gives them that classic texture. Bring about 10 cups of water to a rolling boil. Add baking soda carefully. Boil each pretzel bite for 30 seconds. This step helps create a chewy outside. After boiling, place them on a lined baking sheet before baking. Serve warm pretzel bites in a basket lined with parchment paper. Drizzle the garlic butter over the bites right after baking. For extra fun, add a small bowl of garlic butter on the side for dipping. You can also try pairing them with cheese sauce or mustard for more flavor options. Pro Tips Use Fresh Yeast: Ensure your yeast is fresh for optimal rising. If it's expired, it won't activate properly, resulting in dense pretzel bites. Perfect Boiling Time: Boil the pretzel bites for exactly 30 seconds. This step is crucial for achieving that classic pretzel texture and flavor. Customize Your Toppings: Add different toppings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning to elevate the flavor of your pretzel bites. Serve Warm: For the best taste, serve the pretzel bites immediately after drizzling with garlic butter while they are still warm and fluffy. {{image_4}} You can easily add cheese to your pretzel bites. Just mix shredded cheese into the dough while you knead it. I love using cheddar or mozzarella. This makes each bite cheesy and gooey. For even more flavor, sprinkle extra cheese on top before baking. This creates a wonderful cheesy crust. If you want a sweet treat, try making cinnamon sugar bites. After boiling the pretzel pieces, brush them with melted butter. Then, mix sugar and cinnamon together. Roll the warm bites in this mix. They become sweet and delicious. You can even dip them in icing for extra sweetness. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour. Follow the same steps in the recipe. Make sure to check the flour package for any specific instructions. You might need to adjust the water amount. This will help achieve the right dough texture. The result will still be soft and tasty. Enjoy the same great flavor without gluten! To store leftover pretzel bites, let them cool completely. Place them in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigeration is best. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap first. Reheating is simple. For the best results, use the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the pretzel bites on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 5-7 minutes. You can also use the microwave, but they may lose some texture. Heat them for 15-20 seconds at a time until warm. Freezing pretzel bites is a great way to save them. After they cool, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for about 1 hour, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They can last for up to three months. To enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight and reheat as mentioned above. Yes, you can use instant yeast. It works well in this recipe. You do not need to activate it like active dry yeast. Just mix it directly with the flour and salt. This saves time and gives you great results. If you want to skip baking soda, you can boil the bites in water only. This will not give them the same color or flavor, but they will still taste good. You might also try using a mixture of vinegar and water for a different flavor. These pretzel bites are great with many dips. Try them with cheese sauce, mustard, or ranch dressing. They also taste amazing with the garlic butter from the recipe. The warm butter adds a rich flavor. Soft pretzel bites taste best fresh, but they can last for about 2 days at room temperature. Keep them in an airtight container to stay soft. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them for up to 3 months. Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time. After kneading, cover it and put it in the fridge. It can stay there for up to 24 hours. When you are ready, let it warm up before shaping and boiling. You learned how to make soft pretzel bites, from ingredients to serving tips. We covered key steps like activating yeast and boiling the dough. You also discovered fun variations and storage ideas. Plus, the FAQs answered common questions. In the end, making pretzel bites is easy and fun. You can enjoy them fresh or try different flavors. Get ready to impress your friends and family with your new skills!

Savory Soft Pretzel Bites with Garlic Butter

Delicious soft pretzel bites brushed with garlic butter and sprinkled with coarse sea salt.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups warm water (between 110°F and 115°F)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • to taste coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Allow the mixture to sit undisturbed for about 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy on top.
  • Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the yeasty water mixture. Mix until a dough starts to form, then knead it on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes.
  • Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm area for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • In a large pot, bring about 10 cups of water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the baking soda to the boiling water.
  • Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each section into a rope and cut into 1-inch pieces.
  • In batches, drop the pretzel bites into the boiling water for about 30 seconds before removing them with a slotted spoon. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Brush the tops of the pretzel bites with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
  • Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • While baking, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the minced garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and chopped parsley. Stir until well combined.
  • Once the pretzel bites are done baking, drizzle the garlic butter mixture over them while still hot and serve immediately.

Notes

Serve warm with extra garlic butter for dipping.
Keyword garlic butter, pretzel bites, snack