Description
These Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites are perfectly golden, chewy, and flavorful snacks that are easy to make from scratch. Boiled briefly in a baking soda solution and baked until golden, they come with a delicious homemade cheddar cheese sauce for dipping, making them an irresistible appetizer or snack for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Pretzel Dough
- 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 dough and greasing pan)
Boiling Solution
- 3 quarts water
- 1/3 cup baking soda
Topping
- 1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water (egg wash)
- Coarse sea salt
Cheese Sauce
- ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ cup milk
- 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm water, light brown sugar, yeast, and melted butter. Mix with the dough hook until just combined, then let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to activate and become foamy.
- Make the Dough: Add kosher salt and 4 1/2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until ingredients come together, then increase speed to medium and knead for about 3 to 4 minutes until dough is smooth and pulls away from bowl sides. Add flour 1 tablespoon at a time if dough is too sticky. Remove dough and knead lightly by hand into a ball.
- Proof the Dough: Lightly oil a large bowl with vegetable oil. Place dough in the bowl, turning to coat it in oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean towel and set in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until the dough doubles in size.
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking the pretzel bites.
- Prepare Boiling Solution: Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a roasting pan or large pot over high heat. Slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water, taking care to avoid boil-over, as it will foam up rapidly.
- Shape the Pretzel Bites: Remove the risen dough onto a flat surface. Divide into 8 equal portions (about 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 ounces each). Roll each piece into a 22-inch long rope. Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces to form the pretzel bites.
- Boil the Pretzel Bites: Working in batches (about 15 pieces at a time), boil the pretzel bites in the baking soda water for approximately 30 seconds each. Remove with a slotted spoon and place onto a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray, making sure bites do not touch.
- Apply Egg Wash and Salt: Brush each pretzel bite generously with the beaten egg wash. Sprinkle coarse sea salt over the tops for flavor and texture.
- Bake Pretzel Bites: Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they turn a rich golden brown color.
- Make Cheese Sauce: While the pretzels bake, melt ½ tablespoon butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in ½ tablespoon flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in milk and cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, then stir in grated cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Transfer baked pretzel bites to a cooling rack and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve warm with the homemade cheddar cheese sauce for dipping.
Notes
- If dough is too sticky, add flour gradually to avoid a dense pretzel.
- Be very careful while adding baking soda to boiling water; it foams vigorously.
- Use kosher salt or coarse sea salt for authentic pretzel texture and flavor.
- Serve pretzel bites fresh and warm for the best taste and texture.
- Cheese sauce can be customized with different cheeses or spices according to preference.
