Dessert

Pretzel Bites Recipe

ByJulian Dempsey October 28, 2025October 28, 2025

Introduction

Pretzel bites are soft, chewy, and perfectly golden snacks that are great for sharing or enjoying anytime. This recipe guides you through making these delightful homemade treats, perfect for dipping in mustard or your favorite sauce.

A white oval dish full of small, golden-brown pretzel bites with a shiny crust and coarse salt sprinkled on top, each bite showing a slightly cracked, soft dough inside; a small white round bowl with a black striped rim filled with creamy, smooth yellow mustard is placed inside the dish at the bottom right, with a woman's hand dipping one pretzel bite into the mustard against a white marbled texture surface background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 ½ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled; plus more if needed)
1 tablespoon sugar
2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 ¾ cups warm milk (or water; around 110°F)
2 tablespoons melted butter
9 cups water
½ cup baking soda
1 large egg (mixed with 1 tablespoon of water)

Instructions

Step 1: In a stand mixer bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, warm milk, melted butter, and salt. Mix with a dough hook on medium speed for about 4 to 5 minutes until a smooth dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time.
Step 2: Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for 30 to 60 minutes, until it has doubled in size.
Step 3: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large pot, bring the water and baking soda to a rolling boil.
Step 4: Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ¾-inch thick rope, then cut into 1 to 2-inch bite-sized pieces.
Step 5: Carefully drop the pretzel bites into the boiling baking soda water for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each bite.
Step 6: Brush each bite with the egg wash mixture and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until the pretzel bites turn golden brown. Serve warm, with honey mustard or your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, try brushing the pretzel bites with melted butter right after baking and sprinkle with coarse sea salt or cinnamon sugar for a sweet version.
If you don’t have a stand mixer, knead the dough by hand for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Use water instead of milk for a dairy-free option without sacrificing texture.

Storage

Store pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To keep them soft, reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes. For longer storage, freeze the baked bites for up to 1 month and reheat directly from frozen.

How to Serve

The image shows many small, golden brown pretzel bites arranged closely together on a white marbled baking sheet. Each pretzel bite has a shiny, smooth surface with some coarse salt sprinkled on top. The pretzel bites are mostly square or slightly rounded in shape, with small cracks on the surface showing a soft interior. A metal spatula is lifting some of the pretzel bites from the bottom left side of the baking sheet. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular yeast instead of instant yeast?

Yes, you can substitute active dry yeast, but you will need to proof it first in warm water with a pinch of sugar before mixing it with the other ingredients.

What is the purpose of boiling the pretzel bites in baking soda water?

Boiling in baking soda water creates the distinctive chewy crust and deep brown color that pretzels are known for by altering the dough’s surface before baking.