Soft Pretzel Bites are the perfect party food! ANYONE can make this easy pretzel bite recipe and EVERYONE will love them! I was scared to make these but they turned out o good and were actually super easy. WIN! I love the texture and taste of these homemade pretzel bites, and I really love dipping them in ALL the sauces.
Soft Pretzel Bites
Soft Pretzel Bites are easy to make and fun to eat. Serve them with all the dipping sauces and cheese dips you can think of!
Pretzel Bites are one of those things that I really love, but always seemed too complicated for me to make myself. But I did it, and I’m so proud of this tasty little Soft Pretzel Bites recipe!
Learning to cook is a process. There are still lots of recipes I look at and think “I bet I can’t make that”. Just like before I started getting my feet wet in the kitchen, some recipes still intimidate me. I should have learned by now, most recipes are SO MUCH EASIER than you might think, but baking and breads are still the types of things that give me pause. My insecurities get the best of me, and there are still so many times I just don’t even try. But like I said, easier than you would think! I never imagined I would be making pretzel bites, but I’m just so glad I tried. EASY, delicious, and fun!
And you can make these delicious soft pretzel bites too! Serve them on game day or at a kid’s birthday party. Make all kinds of cheese sauces and dips and dig into these perfectly salty, flavorful bites.
Learn how to make pretzel bites with this EASY Soft Pretzel Bites recipe!
Easy Pretzel Bites Recipe
I absolutely LOVE soft pretzel bites, but the thought of making them myself always seemed a bit tough. Luckily this easy soft pretzel bite recipe exists, and if I can do it, so can you! This is a fun and easy appetizer to serve on game day. And while people will be impressed by these perfect little bite sized pretzels, you’ll rest easy knowing it wasn’t hard to do.
What kind of dip goes with pretzels?
What kind of dip DOESN’T go with pretzels? The dipping sauce is definitely one of the best parts of soft pretzel bites, and it’s fun to try different ones and get creative with it. If you’re serving these at a party, make up a bunch of different dips and let your guests choose the best!
Try dipping your soft pretzel bites in some of these sauces:
Or try one of these 5 easy (and unique) dipping sauces!
How to Make Pretzel Bites at Home
I was so happy with how these EASY Soft Pretzel Bites turned out. They’re so tasty and make a delicious Super Bowl appetizer too. Pretzels always seemed a bit complicated, but I figured if the teens working at Auntie Anne’s can make them all day, then so can I!
Tips for making Soft Pretzel Bites:
- When preparing the pretzel bite dough, it should stick together but NOT stick to your hands. Add more flour if it needs help forming into dough.
- You don’t need to flour your counter top before creating the pretzel bites.
- Form pretzel dough into long strands, and then cut into “bites”. Each strand should form 12-16 pretzel bites.
- Boil 10 pretzel bites at a time & use a slotted spoon to remove them.
- Full instructions are in the recipe card below!
Can you freeze pretzel bites?
If you want to make a large batch of this pretzel bites recipe ahead of time, you can freeze them and reheat them when you’re ready to eat. This is especially helpful if you’re preparing this fun appetizer for a party or event, OR if you just made too many and want to save them for another time.
- Store them properly for up to a couple of months.
- Thaw before baking.
- Reheat them in the oven for about 10 minutes (or until fully warm).
Do you have to boil pretzels before baking?
Yes! Boiling the soft pretzel bites in baking soda water is an important step to making pretzels at home. Boiling them for a short period (30 seconds), will give them that chewy texture you expect from pretzels. And the baking soda helps turn the outside into a brown crust. So this is how they manage to be soft and chewy on the inside, while staying a bit crispy on the outside.
Make these soft pretzel bites for yourself or for a party, and serve them with the best cheese sauce. They’re SO GOOD and so easy to make.
See the recipe card for details on how to make this Soft Pretzels Recipe. Enjoy!
If you like this pretzel bites recipe, try these other fun appetizers:
- Curry Chicken Hand Pies
- Baked Buffalo Wings
- Hawaiian Roll Sliders
- Buffalo Chicken Dip Bites
- French Bread Pizza Bites
- Mashed Potato Bites
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm milk microwave for about 30 seconds
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup egg whites
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon course sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Pour milk into the bowl of an electric mixer. Top with honey and the yeast and stir to combine. Allow to sit for approximately 10 minutes. The yeast will become like a foam, which means it's ready.
- Fill a large pot about 1/2 full with water and allow to come to a boil over medium/high heat.
- Mix together the egg whites with 1 tablespoon water and set aside.
- Add flour and 1 teaspoon salt to mixer. Mix on low with paddle attachment for about 3 minutes until the dough comes together in one ball. Add more flour if needed. The dough will stick together, but will not be sticky on your hands.
- Place dough on counter top and form dough into a ball. It's not necessary to flour your counter. Section the dough into four parts and roll each part into a long strand. Cut each strand into 1 inch sections using a butter knife. You should be able to make about 12-16 bites per strand.
- Carefully, add baking soda to boiling water. Be careful, the baking sode will bubble up, so add slowly. Place dough bites into boiling water about 10 at a time, and "flash cook" for 20-30 seconds for each batch. Using a slotted spoon, take dough out of water and allow to cool.
- Arrange all flashed cooked pretzel bites on parchment lined baking sheet so they are not touching. Brush each bite with egg white mixture and sprinkle with course sea salt.
- Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until the tops are browned. Remove from oven, and allow to cool slightly.
Video
Nutrition
I’m glad I could help!! I’m happy you loved it!
These were amazing. They turned out perfect. They were such a treat during quarantine.
Absolutely! What a fun class that will be!
Could this dough be refrigerated overnight? I teach a high school culinary class. Our class periods are tight for time with prep and clean up.
It may create condensation and affect the texture slightly!
wanting to make these for Super Bowl. I may plan to make them ahead and freeze them? Do you know if keeping them warm (after thawed and baked) in a crock pot would do anything weird to the texture or taste?
YUM!! That sounds so good!!
After baking roll bites melted butter that roll and cinnamon and sugar oh so good
You’re so welcome!! I’m glad you all are enjoying them!
These are absolutely amazing and so easy. I have made them for several family gathers and they are a huge hit! Thank you so much.
Had to throw out the first batch. Followed instruction, measured out 4 cups of flour and added it to the mixer. It never came together. Started over and added 1 cup at a time. I only added 3 cups when it looked correct. Is the flour measurement correct? It did not work for me. The second batch is in the oven now. Will let you know how they come out
Sorry you’re having such a tough time, Erin!
I am having a devil of a time rolling them out! It is taking FOREVER!! Very stiff dough.
Hi Darlene! I would probably bake and then freeze!
Thanks, Karen!
Hi Becky,
When I make these on Tuesday for a party on Saturday. Do I bake them before freezing them or freeze them raw and bake Right before the party?
Really loved this recipe for pretzel bites! Easy to make and delish! :)
I had to warm the yeast to 120 to activate and I think I will cut the baking time down to 9 minutes. My oven might be hotter. I didn’t try the dips this time but looking forward to trying next time. Will make this recipe again…often! :D
I’d like to try these but please tell me the 3259mg of sodium is a typo!
I photographed it with a simple cheese dip.
there is a good chance i am blind…but which dip is pictured with the pretzels?
it looks like its melted..but the recipe for the cheesy horseradish cream sauce is blended?
Hey! We just made a quick queso. You can see all our queso recipes HERE. Hope you love them! <3
These look delicious, but that dip….is it just a melted cheesy, fondue kind of dip? Pretty please, can you post the recipe?
Thank you!
Truly enjoy your works and this one is absolutely a keeper for gathering of all types ! Thank you, Becky !
Great question, I just updated the recipe. Sorry that was confusing! Let them sit in the boiling water for about 20-30 seconds per batch and then take them out. We just want to “flash cook” them. Thanks and hope you love them!
Great question, I just updated the recipe. Sorry that was confusing! Let them sit in the boiling water for about 20-30 seconds per batch and then take them out. We just want to “flash cook” them. Thanks and hope you love them!
These sound yummy! Having not made these before…are the dough bites just in the boiling water for a few seconds before you pull them out? Thanks!!
How long do you boil the dough for? They look so good.
Thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to.make These for my daughters wedding. I noticed that you didn’t let the dough rise. Is that correct or did I miss something?
First of all, thank you for posting ! I made these one time and they were a hit…. hence I’m making them again. However I would like to double the recipe and I cannot figure out if it is necessary to double the baking soda in the boiling water? Thank you!
I’m not 100% sure because I’ve never tried them that way, but I think they would be fine. You could thaw them then heat them up in the oven. Again, I haven’t tried it that way, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t be okay. Hope you guys have a great party celebrating your son!
Hi Becky
I am looking for appetizers for my sons graduation party. He loves pretzels-would this recipe hold up if I made ahead and froze? Thanks!
Thanks Jill. I probably made things even more confusing with how I explained. You explained it perfectly!
You flash cook the pretzel bites in boiling water with baking soda, then brush them with egg and bake them. The half pot of water is to boil the bites.
Thanks Marion!! That means a lot! Thanks so much for saying hi!
Hello Becky.
I am glad to found you. Your site is really interesting.
I like your recipes and your food stylingh, photographs etc.
I have my cooking blog and I am from Greece.
I made your recipe for the soft pretzels and I really love it (as well as my kids too ;) )
I have posted in my blog (with reference to your site of course)
Thanks for saring.
Hope to tald often
Regards,
Marion
Hmm, not really. Flash cook the eggs in, you mean? The eggs are just to brush onto the dough before baking, right?
Hey Jaime, I didn’t include the pot water in the ingredient list. It’s just water to flash cook the water in, not an actual ingredient in the dough. Does that make sense? Let me know if not. Thanks for stopping by!!
I’m confused at the step for 1/2 pot water and combine egg whites. What am I missing here? The recipe only calls for 1 T water but then it says in the instructions to fill a pot 1/2 way with water and bring to a boil and combine with egg whites?
I once made an Auntie Anne copycat recipe and while delicious I swear it took three hours. This sounds like heaven in 30 minutes! Great recipe :)
Thanks so much Kristy!
These look awesome! I am a sucker for pretzels any day, and will buy them practically at every store that sells them (of course for my kids ;)
I would love to sit around and eat all the carbs with you!!
Yes, give me all the mustard!! Thanks for stopping by :)
I don’t even like pretzels but serve them up with mustard sauce it looks amazing! I would so give these a try!
Can I have the carbs? All the carbs? Bring me these? :)
Thanks Meg!
Ha I love those party bags! Thanks for stopping by Kasey :)
Thanks for stopping by Nancy!
Thanks so much Kate!
Thanks for stopping by Cristina! You will love her site :)
I will have to check out The Slow Roasted Italian – that sounds like it’s right up my alley! And these look perfect, just absolutely perfect for a snack! And so easy!
YES, Donna has amaaaazing recipes and these always jump out at me on Pinterest, too! :-D
Pretzels and cheese sounds SO darn good!
I have only made pretzels once at home, and I do love how easy these look!
For some reason, I automatically thought of my sister and dad who buy those party mix bags with the combination of chips, pretzels, cheesies, and other items in one bag. They always eat everything except the pretzels! I love pretzels so I think they are weird, and I cannot wait to try these pretzels!
We loveeeee making homemade pretzel bites! Seriously we can polish off the whole thing in no time. And that dip? Come to mama!