Sugar Pretzel Bites are small pieces of soft pretzels that have been coated with granulated sugar. They are a pillowy snack that is perfect for satisfying a craving for something sweet and salty.
Pretzel bites are a versatile snack that can be enjoyed all year round, but they are especially popular during the fall and winter months, particularly around Oktoberfest and the holiday season. They make a great addition to any game-day spread, Halloween party, or Thanksgiving gathering. And of course, they are always a hit at any casual get-together or movie night.
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Ingredients
- Dry active yeast
- Brown sugar
- Water
- Salt
- Butter
- Flour
- Egg
- Baking soda
- Turbinado sugar (or regular sugar)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
The Dough
Activate yeast in warm water for 3 minutes.
Mix flour, sugar, salt, and yeasted water. Knead for 5 minutes until dough is no longer sticky.
Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise for 45 minutes in a warm and humid place.
The Bites
When the dough has doubled in size separate it in 3 pieces
Roll each piece into 20-22inch
Cut each piece into 20 bite-sized pretzel dough
The Bath & The Baking
Mix water and baking soda in a bowl.
Soak 20 dough pieces at a time in the mixture for 30 seconds.
Brush dough with egg wash and bake in preheated oven at 420°F for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
The Coating
Melt some butter in a separate bowl, Brush it over your bites & sprinkle your sugar mix!
That's it! Enjoy 🙂
Hint: Try the windowpane test when kneading dough
- Take a small piece of dough and shape it into a ball.
- Gently stretch it out into a thin, translucent sheet.
- If it stretches without tearing and you can see light shining through it, the gluten is well developed.
Substitutions
There are some substitutions you can make for certain ingredients in this homemade pretzel bites recipe, depending on your dietary preferences or what you have on hand. Here are a few options:
- Brown sugar: You can use white granulated sugar, honey or maple syrup as a substitute for brown sugar.
- Butter: You can use vegan butter, margarine, coconut oil, or vegetable oil as a substitute for butter.
- Flour: You can use whole wheat flour, or bread flour as a substitute for all-purpose flour.
- Turbinado sugar: You can use granulated sugar or brown sugar as a substitute for turbinado sugar.
Note that these substitutions may alter the taste or texture of the final product, so it's always a good idea to experiment and adjust the recipe to your liking.
Variations
Yes, there are many variations you can make to this homemade pretzel bites recipe to customize it to your liking. Here are a few ideas:
- Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese on top of the pretzel bites before baking for a cheesy twist.
- Cinnamon Sugar: Mix cinnamon and sugar together for a sweet topping instead of turbinado sugar and salt.
- Spicy: Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the egg wash for a spicy kick.
- Everything: Top the pretzel bites with a mix of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, onion, and salt for an "everything" bagel-inspired flavor.
Feel free to experiment with different toppings and flavors to create your own unique twist on this classic recipe. I would love to know what you tried!
🍴 Equipment
Here are the equipment and tools you will need to make this homemade pretzel bites recipe:
- Stand Mixer (Hook Attachment): Helps knead the dough quickly and efficiently.
- Mixing Bowls: To activate yeast and mix ingredients.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For precise measurements of ingredients.
- Baking Tray: To place the dough pieces before baking.
- Brush: To apply egg wash and melted butter.
Most Useful Equipment: The Stand Mixer with Hook Attachment is crucial for kneading the dough, making the process faster and more efficient.
Storage
These homemade pretzel bites are best enjoyed fresh and warm out of the oven, but you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. However, note that the texture may become chewier and less crispy as they cool.
If you want to keep the pretzel bites for a longer period of time, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. Let them cool and freeze on a lined baking sheet. Once frozen, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes or briefly in the microwave, but note that the texture may not be as crispy.
Top tip
My top tip for making homemade pretzel bites is to be patient and take your time. The dough needs time to rise. Additionally, make sure to measure your ingredients accurately and follow the instructions carefully. The dough should be smooth and elastic.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with different toppings and flavors to make this recipe your own. With a little creativity, you can create your own unique twists on this classic snack.
FAQ
Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand if you don't have a stand mixer. It will just require a bit more elbow grease!
Yes, you can use instant yeast, but you will need to adjust the amount and skip the step of activating the yeast in warm water. You can use the same amount of instant yeast as dry active yeast, but mix it directly into the dry ingredients.
Yes, you can experiment with different types of flour, but note that this may affect the texture and flavor of the pretzel bites. Bread flour will yield a chewier texture, while whole wheat flour will be denser and nuttier in flavor.
How To Make Pretzel Bites | Sweet & Salty Pretzel
Sugar pretzel bites are small pieces of soft pretzels that have been coated with granulated sugar. They are a sweet and crunchy snack that is perfect for satisfying a craving for something sweet and salty.
- Total Time: 1 hour,15 minutes
- Yield: 50 bites
Ingredients
The Dough
1 tsp Dry active yeast
½ tbsp Brown Sugar
¾cup Warm Water ( 110°F )
½sp Salt
1tbsp Butter ( Melted)
2cups Flour
Egg wash
1 Egg
2tsp Water
The Bath
3cups Water
¼cup Baking soda
Topping
2tbsp Butter (Melted)
3tbsp turbinado sugar (or regular)
½ tsp salt
Instructions
The Dough
1. Add the yeast to the water and let it activate for 3 minutes
2. In your stand mixer fitted with the hook add the flour, the sugar, the salt and the yeasted water.
3. Start mixing so all the ingredients come together
4. Knead for 5 minutes or until the dough doesn't stick to the sides anymore
5. Place the dough inside an oiled bowl.
6. Cover & let it rise for 45minutes in a humid and warm place
The Bites
1.When the dough has doubled in size separate it in 3 pieces
2. Roll each piece into 20-22inch
3. Cut each piece into 20 bites sized pretzel dough
The Bath & The Baking
1. Mix water and baking soda in a large bowl.
2. Add 20 dough pieces at a time to the bowl and let them sit in the water for about 30 seconds.
3. Take the dough pieces out of the water and place them on a baking tray.
4. Preheat your oven to 420F.
5. In a small bowl, mix the egg and water to create an egg wash.
6. Brush the egg wash onto each dough piece.
7. Bake the dough pieces in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
The Coating
1. Mix sugar and salt
2. Melt some butter in a separate bowl and Brush it over your bites
3. Sprinkle your sugar mix!
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Food safety
There are a few food safety considerations to keep in mind when making this recipe:
- Use fresh ingredients and check the expiration date on the yeast.
- Make sure the water used to activate the yeast is not too hot or too cold, as this can affect the yeast's ability to rise.
- Store the pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
vladimir.j
Dimitri J.
The recipe was actually very easy to follow, loved it.
Evgueny J
So simple and delicious 🧁