Name: Soft Pretzel Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 160 min
Ingredients: 1 cup 2arm water ((100-110F)); 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet); 1 Tablespoon brown sugar; 2 1/2 cups flour (divided); 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/4 cup baking soda; 1 egg; Pretzel or flakey salt (optional); Cinnamon sugar (optional)

This Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe is the perfect, easy snack for your next movie marathon, game night, or living room tailgate. Topped with flakey salt and dipped in your favorite sauce, these bite-sized pretzels will become your family’s new favorite snack!

Small pretzel bites topped with kosher salt in white bowl.

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Make Your Own Easy Soft Pretzel Bites

Who doesn’t love an easy, delicious snack food?? Personally, I have ALWAYS been a pretzel lover. Whether I’m making large soft pretzels with cheese sauce dip or bourbon pretzels, they always hit the spot!

One of my favorite pretzel varieties, these bites require just ten minutes of prep time and 30 minutes to cook. Plus, you only need a few hours in between to allow the dough to rise. That means minimal work on your part to have these salty snacks ready and on the table!

The best part? The flavor options are endless! You can cover them in chia seeds or salt, brown sugar, or melted butter. You get to choose how to make these soft pretzel bites the snack of your dreams.

Plus, you can whip up a batch of your favorite dipping sauce (or a few) to add another layer of tasty goodness!

Small pretzel bites topped with kosher salt in white bowl, next to small bowl of crushed nuts and spoon.

Recipe Ingredients

To print: see recipe card below

1 cup warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet) – If using active dry yeast, allow the yeast, warm water, and brown sugar to sit for 5 minutes. Then, add the remaining ingredients.
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup baking soda
1 egg
Salt for topping – Use coarse sea salt.
Optional cinnamon sugar – This creates sweet cinnamon sugar pretzels.

4-photo collage of step-by-step photos to make pretzel bites.

Directions for How to Make Soft Pretzel Bites

Step 1: Prepare the Pretzel Dough

Combine: Use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook to combine the warm water, yeast, and brown sugar on low speed. Mix just until the ingredients distribute evenly and the sugar dissolves!
Add the dry ingredients: With the mixer running on low, add 2 cups of flour and kosher salt. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour slowly. Stop mixing when the dough no longer sticks to the side of the bowl.
Knead the dough: Allow the dough to knead until it forms a smooth ball. If it starts to stick to the sides of the bowl again, add a little more flour!
Shape: Roll the dough into a ball, and place it in a lightly oiled bowl. Then, store it in a warm spot, and allow it to rise for an hour.
Punch: Punch the dough down, reshape it into a ball, and let it rise for another hour.

Step 2: Cook the Pretzel Bites

Cut the dough: Once the dough doubles in size, cut it into quarters. Then, roll each quarter into a long strand roughly 18 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Cut the strands into bite-sized pieces of dough roughly one inch long.
Preheat: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Boil: While the oven heats, fill a large pot of water halfway full with water, and bring it to a boil. Slowly add the baking soda, and stir to dissolve. Reduce the heat to medium-high, allowing the water to stay at a gentle boil.

Quick Tip

Make sure to add the baking soda slowly! Dumping it all at once will result in the water boiling over, which is not fun to clean up!

Boil: Add a few dough pieces to the boiling water and baking soda mixture. Then, cook for 45 seconds per side or until lightly boiled. Remove the pretzel pieces and transfer them to the parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving an inch between each piece. Repeat the process, boiling the rest of the dough.
Add the egg wash: Beat the egg in a small bowl, and add a splash of water. Brush the tops of the pretzels slightly with the egg wash. Then, add salt or sesame seeds, if desired. If using cinnamon sugar, do not add it yet!
Bake: Transfer the pretzels to the oven, and bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until they’re a deep golden brown.
Top: If using cinnamon sugar, transfer the bites to a large bowl, and toss them in the mixture, coating them completely while they’re warm. Allow your pretzel bites to cool slightly, and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

These pretzel bites are incredible on their own, especially when you add a topping. However, they’re also incredible with dipping sauces like cheese dip, honey mustard, or Ranch. Or, try the cinnamon sugar variety with sweet dips like a powdered sugar glaze or funfetti dip!

Tips for Making the Perfect Soft Pretzel Bites

Infuse with your favorite beer. For extra flavor, substitute the water for your favorite wheat beer.
Don’t skip any steps! Boiling the pretzels helps create that signature pretzel exterior. Please don’t skip it!
Be careful not to overfill your pot. Add just a few pieces of dough at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Otherwise, the pretzels won’t cook evenly on all sides.
Leave space on the baking pan. Leave about an inch between each pretzel bite. They’ll puff up and expand slightly as they bake!

How to Store

These pretzels are best served right away while they’re fresh and warm! However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Freeze leftover pretzels for up to 3 months. To do so, arrange them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a sealed bag or freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to eat, warm them from frozen in the oven at 300 degrees for about 10 minutes or until they warm through.