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
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
Instructions
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.
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.
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.
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a roasting pan. Carefully add baking soda slowly (it will bubble up).
Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each into a 22-inch rope and cut into 1-inch pieces.
Boil pretzel bites in batches for 30 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon and place on greased baking sheets.
Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
Bake 15–18 minutes until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes before serving.
Cheese Sauce:
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
Slowly whisk in milk and cook until slightly thickened.
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