Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with these irresistible Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites! Each one is a pillowy, golden nugget brushed in luscious melted butter and sprinkled with crunchy coarse salt. Perfect for sharing at parties, game nights, or just as a cozy snack at home, these bites strike the perfect balance between chewy and fluffy. With their homemade charm and simple, wholesome ingredients, Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites are bound to be your new go-to treat when you’re craving something extra comforting and delicious.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites truly special is how each basic ingredient plays a starring role in delivering flavor, texture, and that iconic pretzel color. You probably have most of these at home already, and every one is essential to creating bites that are soft inside, with a golden, bakery-style finish outside.
- Warm water (1½ cups, 110°F): The foundation for activating yeast and building that soft, tender dough.
- Active dry yeast (2¼ teaspoons, 1 packet): Gives the pretzel bites their signature rise and fluffy texture.
- Brown sugar (1 tablespoon): Feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness that rounds out the flavor.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances every bite and balances the sweetness and richness.
- Unsalted butter, melted (1 tablespoon for dough, 4 tablespoons for brushing): Infuses the dough with richness and creates that irresistible buttery finish.
- All-purpose flour (4 cups): Forms the hearty structure for chewy, satisfying bites.
- Baking soda (⅓ cup, for boiling): Gives pretzels their deep brown color and classic flavor after a quick boil.
- Water (6 cups, for boiling): Combines with baking soda for the essential pretzel bath.
- Coarse salt (for topping): Adds a crunch and that iconic salty finish pretzels are famous for.
How to Make Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by combining the warm water, active dry yeast, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top looks foamy and bubbly—this means your yeast is alive and kicking, promising fluffy pretzel bites.
Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough
Stir in the salt, 1 tablespoon of melted butter, and the all-purpose flour. Mix with a dough hook or wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. Knead it for 5–6 minutes, either by hand or in your mixer, until it’s smooth and elastic. This step is where the magic happens, giving your Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites their signature chewy interior.
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
Cover your bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm spot for 45–60 minutes. By the end, it should double in size—this makes the bites light and airy, which is exactly what you want.
Step 4: Shape the Pretzel Bites
Punch down the risen dough to release any air bubbles and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 12 to 15 inches long, then cut each rope into 1-inch sections. You’ll end up with a tray full of potential—each one on its way to becoming a Buttery Soft Pretzel Bite!
Step 5: Boil in Baking Soda Bath
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Meanwhile, bring 6 cups of water and ⅓ cup baking soda to a boil in a large pot. Working in manageable batches, drop the pretzel bites into the boiling water for 20–30 seconds. This bath is what gives that deep golden color and subtle pretzel tang. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bites and place them on your prepared baking sheets.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the pretzel bites for 10–12 minutes or until they’re puffed up and gloriously golden brown. Keep an eye on them—the difference between just-right and too-done is only a minute or two!
Step 7: Brush with Butter and Finish
As soon as the bites come out of the oven, immediately brush them all over with your 4 tablespoons of melted butter. Finish with a generous sprinkle of coarse salt. This last step is what transforms them into true Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites—shiny, salty, and impossible to resist.
How to Serve Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites
Garnishes
These bites are delicious simply salted, but you can take things up a notch! Try a dusting of everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, or even a sprinkle of parmesan cheese while the butter is still warm. For a sweet twist, toss them in cinnamon sugar after brushing with butter. The possibilities are endless for your Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites!
Side Dishes
Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites are fantastic on their own, but they’re a dream when paired with dips. Classic cheese sauce, tangy yellow mustard, honey mustard, or even a spicy sriracha mayo all make excellent partners. For a party platter, serve them alongside sliced veggies, cured meats, or mini sandwiches for a crowd-pleasing spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun presentation, pile your Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites into a bread basket lined with a colorful napkin, or skewer them onto sticks for easy, grab-and-go snacking. You can also arrange them around a bowl of dip for a stunning centerpiece at your next gathering. Kids and adults alike will love plucking them right off the tray!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites left (it’s rare!), keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They’ll stay soft and flavorful, perfect for snacking the next day.
Freezing
To keep your Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites longer, freeze them in a zip-top bag or airtight container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 2 months. Just make sure they’ve cooled completely before freezing to prevent sogginess.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat your bites in a 300°F oven for about 5–7 minutes, or until warmed through. This brings back their fresh-from-the-oven softness and revives that irresistible buttery aroma. If you like, brush with a little extra melted butter after reheating for even more flavor.
FAQs
Can I make these Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites with whole wheat flour?
You can substitute up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier flavor. The bites will be a bit denser, but still delicious and satisfying.
Do I really need to boil the pretzel bites in baking soda water?
Yes, this step is key! The baking soda bath gives the bites their signature pretzel taste and gorgeous golden color. Skipping it will leave you with more of a regular bread roll texture and flavor.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the dough, let it rise, and then refrigerate it (covered) for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready, shape, boil, and bake as usual—just allow a few extra minutes for the dough to take the chill off.
How can I make a sweet version of Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites?
For a sweet treat, skip the coarse salt and, after brushing with butter, toss the warm bites in a mix of cinnamon and sugar. They’re incredible with a drizzle of cream cheese icing or even a dunk in melted chocolate!
What’s the best way to keep Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites warm for a party?
Keep them in a low oven (about 200°F) on a baking sheet loosely covered with foil until you’re ready to serve. That way, they stay soft and warm without drying out or losing their irresistible buttery finish.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried homemade pretzels before, these Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites are the perfect place to start. They’re easy, super fun to make, and absolutely crowd-pleasing. I can’t wait for you to share them with your friends and family—don’t be surprised when they disappear in a flash!
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Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 60 pretzel bites 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites are a delightful homemade snack perfect for parties or cozy nights in. Soft on the inside with a slightly crispy golden crust, they’re boiled in baking soda water to achieve the traditional pretzel texture, then brushed with melted butter and sprinkled with coarse salt for that irresistible flavor.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1½ cups warm water (110°F)
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (melted)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
Boiling Solution
- ⅓ cup baking soda
- 6 cups water
Topping
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted, for brushing)
- Coarse salt (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and brown sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready.
- Make the dough: Stir in the salt, 1 tablespoon of melted butter, and all the flour into the yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough either by hand or with a dough hook attachment for 5 to 6 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 45 to 60 minutes until it doubles in size.
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Meanwhile, bring 6 cups of water and ⅓ cup baking soda to a boil in a large pot.
- Shape the pretzel bites: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 4 equal parts. Roll each piece into a 12 to 15 inch rope and slice into 1-inch pieces to form the pretzel bites.
- Boil the bites: Working in batches, carefully drop the pretzel bites into the boiling baking soda water. Boil for 20 to 30 seconds, then use a slotted spoon to remove them and transfer to the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until they turn a beautiful golden brown color.
- Finish with butter and salt: Immediately brush the hot pretzel bites with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt. Serve warm with your choice of dips such as cheese sauce or mustard for an extra flavor kick.
Notes
- For a sweet variation, skip the coarse salt and toss the warm pretzel bites in cinnamon sugar after brushing with melted butter.
- These pretzel bites are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days without losing their softness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Baking, Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 bites
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
