Name: Soft Pretzel Bites
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: For the Dough; 2 ¼ tsp or One Packet of Yeast; 1 Tbsp Sugar; 4 Tbsp Butter (melted); 1 Cup Warm Water; 2 tsp Salt; 4-5 Cups Flour; For Cooking-; 10 Cups Water; ½ Cup Baking Soda; 1 egg; 1 tsp cold water; 1-2 Tbsp Coarse Salt

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These soft pretzel bites are the perfect snack! Chewy, salty, and perfect for dipping they are great for parties! These easy homemade soft pretzel bites are always a hit with everyone!

A close up of soft pretzel bites on a white plate

When I was in high school I worked at the mall, my favorite part of going to work was hitting Auntie Ann’s at break time for some tasty soft pretzels. One of my favorite treats was the soft pretzel bites dipped in cream cheese!

My kids love soft pretzels as much as me so we always grab one when we’re at the mall, and often I pick up a box of frozen soft pretzels from the grocery store. However, everyone loves these homemade pretzel bites the most!

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A white plate full of soft pretzel bites surrounding a small white bowl full of cheese dip.

Why we love this recipe-

You only need a few basic ingredients for this easy soft pretzel bites recipe! Made with pantry staples, you can whip them up for any party, occasion, or an after school snack!
They are great for dipping! These little bites are delicious with cheese dips like this Queso Dip Recipe, mustard, ranch dips, or any kind of dip that you love!
They are easy! Making homemade pretzels can be intimidating, twisting and shaping them can be a lot of work. These pretzel bites are super simple, just rolling and cutting! They have all the taste and texture of a traditional soft pretzel, but in easy to make bites! They are super fun to make with kids!

A square white plate with soft pretzel bites surrounding a small white bowl full of cheese dip. Next to the plate is a red and white linen and a glass of lemon water.

Variations & FAQ

Make them sweet– After baking brush your pretzel bites with melted butter and then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. This results in buttery pretzel bites with a nice touch of sweetness.
Make “everything” pretzels– These pretzel bites are amazing topped with everything bagel seasoning! Just sprinkle it on instead of salt and enjoy the amazing flavor!
Can I freeze these? Yes you can! To freeze- These are best served fresh but can be frozen to eat later. To do this make the pretzel bites according to the instructions but do not salt them before baking. Once they are finished baking allow them to cool then place the tray in the freezer for about an hour. Remove the frozen bites from the tray and place in a freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible. Wrap the bag in a layer of aluminum foil for another layer of protection. When ready to eat place bites on a microwave safe plate, sprinkle the pretzel bites lightly with water and sprinkle with salt. Wrap plate in a slightly damp paper towel and microwave for about 30-45 seconds (depending on your microwave)
How do I reheat these? If you have leftovers that you’d like to reheat there are a few ways of doing it. For a softer pretzel you can place them in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel for about 30 seconds. You can also reheat them in the oven at 350 for a few minutes. Reheating in the oven will result in a crunchier exterior.

The ingredients to make soft pretzel bites on a marble counter top. Yeast, flour, salt, egg, butter, water, sugar, baking soda, and coarse salt.

Here’s what you’ll need for these pretzel bites

For the Pretzel Dough

2 ¼ tsp or One Packet of Yeast– Make sure your yeast is fresh for best results.

1 Tablespoon Sugar– You can use granulated sugar or cane sugar

4 Tablespoons Butter– The butter will need to be melted, you can use salted or unsalted butter.

1 Cup Warm Water– You need the water to be warm but not too hot, hot water will kill the yeast.

2 tsp Salt

4-5 Cups Flour– I use all purpose flour. You’ll want to start with 4 cups but may need to add more to get the pretzel dough the right consistency.

For Cooking the Pretzels-

10 Cups Water

½ Cup Baking Soda

1 Egg

1 teaspoon Cold Water

1-2 Tablespoons Coarse Salt– You can use pretzel salt, or coarse sea salt.

A plate full of soft pretzel bites on a white plate with a small white bowl of cheese dip.

First add a warm water and sugar the bowl of a stand mixer stir to dissolve sugar. Sprinkle yeast across the top of the water and leave it for about 5 min, this is called proofing the yeast. Your yeast should create a layer of foam across the top of the water.

Next add in the melted butter, salt and half of the flour. Attach the dough hook attachment to the mixer and mix on low speed until flour is incorporated gradually add more flour until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl and isn’t as sticky. The exact amount of flour you will need will vary depending on how much moisture is in your flour, the environment etc. I usually need about 4 ½ cups. You want your dough to be soft but not too sticky.

Turn the speed up to medium and allow to knead for about 5 minutes.

A collage of 4 pictures showing the steps for making soft pretzel dough. The first is a metal mixing bowl with yeast that has been proofed, in the second picture flour has been added. In the third the dough has been mixed, and in the fourth the dough has been kneaded into a smooth ball.

Or you can turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it by hand until smooth.

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover loosely, and let rise in a warm place for about an hour or until doubled in size.

Once the dough has risen it is time to make the pretzels.

First preheat your oven to 425 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and separate into 8 equal pieces.

Take one piece and roll it into a long rope shape about 15-20 inches long.

Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter cut the dough into one inch pieces.

Repeat with the rest of the dough.

Place about10 cups of water and ½ cup baking soda in a large pot on the stove and bring it to a boil over high heat.

Set your prepared baking sheet on the counter next to the stove.

Working in batches gently place pretzel pieces in the boiling water and cook for about 30 seconds. I did about 10-15 at a time. Your pot size will determine how many you can cook at once, don’t overcrowd them. Using a slotted spoon gently lift the pretzel bites out of the water and place on the baking sheet.

Repeat with the remainder of the pretzel bites. Spread them about 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. You may need to use 2 baking sheets or work in batches.

A collage of 4 pictures showing the steps for making soft pretzel bites. The first shows the dough doubled in size in a mixing bowl. The second shows the dough rolled into long ropes and cut into one inch sections. The next shows the pretzel bites on a lined cookie sheet after being boiled. And the final shows a close up of the pretzel bites before baking, they have been egg washed and sprinkled with coarse salt.

Once your pretzel bites are all boiled it is time to bake them.

In a small bowl whisk together the egg and 1 tsp water until well mixed to create an egg wash.

Using a brush coat the pretzels evenly with a thin coat of the egg mixture. Sprinkle on coarse salt as desired.

Place the baking sheet in the oven for about 15 minutes or until pretzel bites are a lovely golden brown.

Serve immediately.