Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

There is just something magical about Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites. Maybe it’s the way your kitchen smells like a cozy mall bakery. Or maybe it’s that golden, chewy outside with the soft, fluffy center that makes everyone hover around the oven.

If you’ve ever thought pretzels sounded complicated, I’m here to gently say—friend, you’ve got this. These Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites are surprisingly simple and absolutely worth the little bit of hands-on time. They’re perfect for game day, after-school snacks, movie nights, or those afternoons when you just need a warm, salty bite of comfort.

And the best part? They feel special without requiring fancy ingredients or chef-level skills. Just simple pantry staples and a little patience while the dough rises.

Let’s roll up our sleeves and make your kitchen smell like pure happiness.

Why You’ll Love These Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

• Soft and chewy with that classic pretzel flavor
• Fun to make (kids love helping roll the ropes!)
• Budget-friendly ingredients
• Perfect for dipping in warm cheese sauce
• Easy to customize with cinnamon sugar or classic sea salt

As a busy mom or working professional, you don’t always have time for complicated baking projects. But this recipe fits beautifully into a weekend afternoon—or even a slower weekday evening when you want something homemade without the stress.

Trust me, once you make these from scratch, the store-bought version just doesn’t compare.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s keep it simple and practical.

For the Pretzel Bites:

• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 package active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
• 3 ounces unsalted butter, melted
• 2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• 4 ½ to 5 cups all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil (for coating bowl)
• 3 quarts water
• ⅓ cup baking soda (for boiling)
• 1 egg + 1 tablespoon cold water (egg wash)
• Coarse sea salt

For the Cheese Sauce:

• ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
• ½ tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ½ cup milk
• 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated
• Salt and pepper to taste

Nothing fancy. Just everyday ingredients coming together to create something bakery-worthy.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

Don’t let the total time scare you. Most of it is just the dough rising while you relax (or tackle that laundry pile).

Step 1: Wake Up the Yeast

In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine warm water, brown sugar, yeast, and melted butter. Mix gently and let it sit for 5 minutes.

This is when the yeast gets nice and bubbly. If it foams up, you’re good to go. If not, your yeast may be too old—no shame, we’ve all been there.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Add the salt and 4 ½ cups of flour. Mix on low with the dough hook until combined. Then increase to medium speed and knead for about 3–4 minutes.

You’re looking for smooth dough that pulls away from the bowl. If it’s sticky, add flour one tablespoon at a time. It should feel soft but not tacky.

Remove the dough, shape it into a ball, and place it in an oiled bowl. Turn it to coat. Cover with a towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.

This is usually when I clean up the kitchen and reward myself with coffee. Balance, right?

Step 3: Prepare for Boiling

Preheat your oven to 425°F.

Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a roasting pan. Carefully add the baking soda—slowly! It will bubble up quickly. Stir gently.

This baking soda bath is what gives Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites that classic chewy texture and deep golden color.

Step 4: Shape the Pretzel Bites

Turn the dough onto a flat surface. Divide it into 8 equal pieces.

Roll each piece into a rope about 22 inches long. Then cut into 1-inch pieces.

They don’t have to be perfect. In fact, the slightly uneven ones feel more homemade and charming.

Step 5: Boil the Bites

Working in batches (about 15 at a time), boil the pretzel bites for 30 seconds.

Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place on a greased baking sheet. Make sure they aren’t touching.

Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 15–18 minutes until beautifully golden brown.

Transfer to a cooling rack and let them rest for 5 minutes.

At this point, your kitchen will smell like a warm hug from your grandma.

Creamy Cheese Sauce (Because Dipping Is Mandatory)

While the pretzel bites cool, make the cheese sauce.

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add flour and cook for 1 minute.
3. Whisk in milk and cook until slightly thickened.
4. Remove from heat and stir in grated Cheddar until smooth.
5. Season with salt and pepper.

If your sauce looks too thick, don’t panic—it’s just extra comfort waiting to happen. Add a splash of milk to thin it out.

Tips for Foolproof Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

• Warm water matters. It should feel like bath water, not hot coffee. Too hot can kill the yeast.
• Don’t skip the baking soda bath. That’s what makes these taste like real pretzels.
• Watch closely while baking. Ovens vary, and golden brown can happen fast.
• Freeze extras. They reheat beautifully in the oven or air fryer.

One weekend, I made a double batch thinking we’d have leftovers for days. They were gone by bedtime. My family treated them like rare treasure. Lesson learned: always make extra.

Fun Variations

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

Skip the salt and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar instead. For frosting, mix softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk until smooth.

Perfect for brunch, book club, or a sweet treat after dinner.

Make-Ahead Option

You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping.

FAQs About Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

Bringing Warmth to Your Table

There’s something incredibly satisfying about making Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites from scratch. It’s not just about the snack—it’s about the experience. Rolling the dough. Watching it puff up in the oven. Hearing that first bite with a soft crunch on the outside and fluffiness inside.

Life gets busy. Between work, errands, and keeping everyone fed, it’s easy to rely on packaged snacks. But recipes like Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites remind us that homemade doesn’t have to mean complicated.

It just means a little time, a little love, and maybe a few floury fingerprints on the counter.

And honestly? That’s the good stuff.

More Cozy Snacks to Try

If these Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites made your kitchen feel extra cozy, here are a few more delicious ideas to round out your snack table (or treat yourself just because—it doesn’t have to be game day!):

• Add a cool, creamy dip like Cilantro Lime Crema for a fresh pop of flavor that pairs beautifully with warm pretzels.
• Turn it into a full appetizer spread with cheesy, scoopable Crockpot Jalapeño Corn Dip—it’s always the first bowl to empty.
• For something crispy and party-ready, serve them alongside Spinach Artichoke Dip Wonton Cups for that irresistible creamy crunch combo.
• Want to see another baker’s spin on this classic? Take a peek at Soft Pretzel Bites by Sally’s Baking Addiction for even more inspiration.
• And if you love that sweet-and-salty magic, you have to try Salted Caramel Cracker Bites to finish things off on a fun note.

Because once the snack board comes out, it’s officially a good day.

Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

---

• Author: Mounia
• Total Time: 2 hours 18 minutes
• Yield: 10 servings 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites are soft, chewy, golden brown, and perfectly salted. These bakery-style bites are boiled in a baking soda bath for that classic pretzel texture, then baked until golden and served with a creamy cheddar cheese sauce. Perfect for game day, parties, after-school snacks, or cozy weekends at home.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Pretzel Bites:

• 1 1/2 cups warm water

• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

• 1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)

• 3 ounces unsalted butter, melted

• 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour

• Vegetable oil (for coating bowl)

• 3 quarts water

• 1/3 cup baking soda

• 1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water

• Coarse sea salt

For the Cheese Sauce:

• 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter

• 1/2 tablespoon all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup milk

• 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm water, brown sugar, yeast, and melted butter. Mix gently and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.

2. Add salt and 4 1/2 cups flour. Mix on low until combined, then increase to medium speed and knead 3–4 minutes until smooth. Add more flour if dough is too sticky.

3. Shape dough into a ball. Place in an oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

4. Preheat oven to 425°F.

5. Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a roasting pan. Carefully add baking soda slowly (it will bubble up).

6. Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each into a 22-inch rope and cut into 1-inch pieces.

7. Boil pretzel bites in batches for 30 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon and place on greased baking sheets.

8. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

9. Bake 15–18 minutes until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes before serving.

Cheese Sauce:

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

2. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.

3. Slowly whisk in milk and cook until slightly thickened.

4. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Notes

For cinnamon sugar pretzel bites, skip the salt and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar after baking.

To make a sweet glaze, mix softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk until smooth.

Pretzel bites can be frozen once cooled and reheated at 350°F until warm.

Do not skip the baking soda bath — it creates the signature chewy pretzel texture.

• Prep Time: 2 hours
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 181 kcal
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 420mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 25mg