Easy Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

from 114 votes

Skip the freezer aisle and whip up a warm batch of Easy Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites with a tried-and-tested recipe that yields perfectly chewy, pillowy soft nuggets.

A close-up view of Easy Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites surrounding a small ramekin filled with yellow mustard

This right here is the Soft Pretzel Bites recipe of all soft pretzel bite recipes. It is the king. The master. The OG. The champion. You get the idea. If you want perfect homemade pretzel nuggets, then I am so glad you have found your way here!

Now before you read the word “yeast” in this recipe and go running for the hills (or perhaps your local grocery store’s freezer aisle), allow me to calm any fears or previous frustrations when it comes to this sometimes tricky ingredient.

A top-down view of a white serving platter piled high with pretzel bites and a ramekin filled with yellow mustard

This recipe is fool-proof. I repeat: Anyone and everyone can make soft pretzel bites. There is no fancy twisting. There is no hard-to-pronounce chemical bath to get that glossy brown exterior. There is no kneading by hand.

There are just some good ol’ pantry items and a few simple tricks to whipping up the easiest homemade soft pretzel bites to ever hit your lips. Your biggest dilemma, in fact, will be whether you dunk these bites in mustard or cheese sauce. And that is one predicament I’d be happy to find myself in.

A top-down view of rolled dough next to more dough cut into small pieces

Why Do You Boil Soft Pretzels in Baking Soda?

I am so glad you asked! You may be tempted to skip this step, but truth be told, a soft pretzel isn’t a soft pretzel without it.

The baking soda takes the place of lye, a very strong alkali that commercial pretzels (as in, manufactured in a factory or fancy bakery) are dunked in. I prefer to steer clear of having to sport gloves and/or goggles with home baking, and luckily, baking soda is a much milder and more readily found alternative that still does the job of delivering that deep-golden color and characteristic chewiness.

A top-down view of unbaked pieces of pretzel dough

Can You Freeze Pretzel Bites?

Yes indeed you can! That is, if you have any leftover. The best way to send these nuggets into a deep-chill is to bake them sans salt, let them cool completely, and then arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover the tray with plastic wrap and pop it in the freezer. Once the nuggets are frozen solid, you can then transfer them to a sealable plastic bag and stash them in the freezer for up to 2 months.

A top-down view of a slotted spoon with dough over a pot containing baking soda and water

How to Reheat Frozen Pretzels

Line up your frozen (previously baked) nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Pop them into a 300°F oven until they’re warmed through, 12 to 15 minutes.

Unbaked soft pretzel bites topped with egg wash and sea salt on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet

How to Make Cinnamon-Sugar Soft Pretzels

For all of those on Team Sweet, I’ve got just the soft pretzel coating for you. Skip the salt and instead, bathe these golden brown beauties in a bowl of melted butter after they come out of the oven and then toss them in a sealable bag of cinnamon-sugar. You are welcome!

Glasses of beer next to a serving platter containing the best homemade soft pretzel bites and a small ramekin filled with yellow mustard

Craving more? Subscribe to Just a Taste to get new recipes, meal plans and a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! And stay in touch on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

Appetizer

Easy Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

Skip the freezer aisle and whip up a warm batch of Easy Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites with a tried-and-tested recipe that yields perfectly chewy, pillowy soft nuggets.
Author: Kelly Senyei
4.85 from 114 votes
A close-up view of Easy Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites surrounding a small ramekin filled with yellow mustard
Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 1/2 cups warm (110-115°F) water
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for topping
  • 1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Vegetable oil
  • 10 cups water
  • 2/3 cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 Tablespoon water

Instructions 

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the water, sugar and kosher salt. Sprinkle the yeast on top and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
  • Add the flour and butter to the bowl and mix on low until the ingredients are combined.
  • Increase the speed to medium and knead the dough until it is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, about 3 minutes. 
  • Remove the dough from the bowl. Clean the bowl, grease it with vegetable oil and return the dough to the bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in a warm, dark place until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 450°F and position the oven racks in the middle two positions in your oven.
  • Line two baking sheets with parchment paper then lightly oil the paper.
  • In a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot, stir together the 10 cups of water and the baking soda then bring the mixture to a rolling boil. 
  • Turn the dough onto your work surface and divide it into 6 pieces. (Do not flour your work surface.) 
  • Roll each piece into a rope roughly 1-inch in diameter then cut each rope into 1-inch pieces to form the pretzel bites.
  • In batches, add the bites to the boiling baking soda mixture for 30 seconds then use a slotted spoon to remove them onto the oiled baking sheets.
  • Brush the bites with the egg wash and sprinkle them with kosher salt.
  • Bake the bites until golden brown in color, 10 to 12 minutes, rotating the pans (between racks and turning to rotate pans) halfway through.
  • Remove the soft pretzel bites from the oven and serve. 
  • ★ Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Shoutout

Did you try this recipe?

Share it with the world! Mention @justataste or tag #justatasterecipes!

This post may contain affiliate links.

Recipe adapted from Alton Brown.


Feeling social?

Share this recipe!

Categories

Related Recipes

Check out more crave-worthy favorites

Kelly Senyei holding a copy of The Secret Ingredient Cookbook

love the recipes on just a taste?

Check out my cookbook!

Order your copy of The Secret Ingredient Cookbook featuring 125 brand-new family-friendly recipes with surprisingly tasty twists!

This post may contain affiliate links.

Join the Conversation

Rate and Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve made these so many times and my party guests always rave. They are delicious and definitely better than the pretzels from a box!

      1. Kelly if you freeze them.. do you thaw them than do the egg wash and salt and reheat at 300..or do you bake from frozen but still do the egg wash and salt on them frozen? want to try this weekend (have made but never froze them!)logistical need to freeze them .
        thanks!

      2. Hi Lesley! I’d freeze them after baking them. So bake them (follow the recipe all the way through), freeze them and then reheat in the oven, microwave or an air fryer. Enjoy!

See More Comments