Soft Pretzel Bites are the perfect party food! Anyone can make this pretzel bites recipe, and everyone will love them! I was scared to make these but they turned out so 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.

pretzel bites with cheese dip

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Why We Love This 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.

Variations on Homemade Pretzel Bites

These soft pretzel bites are so tasty served simply with sauces to add flavor. But you can also brush them with butter and top them with ranch seasoning, everything bagel seasoning, or freshly shredded cheese!

pretzel bites lined up on cookie sheet with cheese dip in bowl
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How to Store and Reheat 

Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes, or until fully warm.

How to Freeze 

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. They will keep well for up to 4 months. Just let them thaw before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

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 Skinny Queso Dip, Honey Mustard, Nacho Cheese Sauce, Beer Cheese Dip, or Pepperoni Pizza Dip.

What is the secret ingredient which makes a pretzel taste like a pretzel?

Dipping the dough in an alkaline solution (in this case, baking soda) gives it that special flavor.

Do you have to boil pretzels before baking?

Yes! Boiling the soft pretzel bites in baking soda water for 30 seconds will give them that chewy texture you expect from pretzels. So this is how they manage to be soft and chewy on the inside, while staying a bit crispy on the outside.

What does baking soda do for soft pretzels?

Baking soda helps turn the outside into a brown crust.

How do you get salt to stick to pretzel bites?

Sprinkle on the salt as soon as the pretzels come out of the boiling water. The water will help the salt stick!

hand dipping pretzel bite into cheese dip

More Homemade Pretzel Recipes To Try

5-Star Review

“Your recipe was so easy to follow and the pretzel bites were perfect. Wonderful recipe…wonderful directions. Thank you!” -Janet C

Recipe Card

Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe

4.51 from 155 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 8
Author: Becky Hardin
Soft Pretzel Bites on a tray with cheese
This easy Soft Pretzel Bites recipe is made in under 30 minutes! Simple, salty, delicious pretzel bites to serve with cheese sauce, mustard, or dips at any party.
Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.
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Ingredients 

  • cups milk 284 grams, warm (110°F)
  • 2 tablespoons honey 44 grams
  • teaspoons active dry yeast 7 grams (1 envelope)
  • ½ cup egg whites 140 grams (from 4 large eggs)
  • 1 tablespoon water 14 grams
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour 480 grams
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 grams
  • ½ cup baking soda 144 grams
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt 9 grams

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  • Pour the warmed milk into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. 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.
    1¼ cups milk, 2 tablespoons honey, 2½ teaspoons active dry yeast
    foamy milk in a glass bowl.
  • Fill a large pot about halfway full with water and allow to come to a boil over medium-high heat.
    boiling water in a saucepan.
  • Whisk together the egg whites with 1 tablespoon of water and set aside.
    ½ cup egg whites, 1 tablespoon water
  • Add the flour and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to the mixer. Mix on low with 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.
    4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    hands holding a ball of dough.
  • Place the dough on a clean work surface and form the 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.
    dough cut into bite-sized pieces on a marble counter.
  • Carefully, add the baking soda to the boiling water. Be careful, the baking soda will bubble up, so add slowly. Place the dough bites into the boiling water about 10 at a time, and "flash cook" for 20-30 seconds for each batch. Using a slotted spoon, take the dough out of water and allow to cool.
    ½ cup baking soda
    A bowl of soup with soft pretzel bites on top.
  • Arrange all flashed cooked pretzel bites on the parchment-lined baking sheet so they are not touching. Brush each bite with egg white mixture and sprinkle with the coarse sea salt.
    1 tablespoon coarse sea salt
    salted pretzel bites on a baking sheet.
  • Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until the tops are browned. Remove from oven, and allow to cool slightly.
    pretzel bites in a bread basket.

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • 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 countertop before creating the pretzel bites.
Storage: Store pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
Serving: 3-4 bitesCalories: 277kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 10gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 3256mgPotassium: 161mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 62IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Pretzel Bites Step by Step

Bloom the Yeast: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Pour 1¼ cups of warmed milk into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Top with 2 tablespoons of honey and 2½ teaspoons (1 envelope) of active dry yeast and stir to combine. Allow to sit for approximately 10 minutes. The yeast will become like a foam, which means it’s ready.

Boil the Water: Fill a large pot about halfway full with water and allow it to come to a boil over medium-high heat. Whisk together ½ cup of egg whites with 1 tablespoon of water and set aside.

boiling water in a saucepan.

Make the Dough: Add 4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to the mixer with the yeast mixture. Mix on low with 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.

Cut the Dough: Place the dough on a clean work surface and form the 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.

dough cut into bite-sized pieces on a marble counter.

Boil the Bites: Carefully, add ½ cup of baking soda to the boiling water. Be careful, the baking soda will bubble up, so add slowly. Place the dough bites into the boiling water about 10 at a time, and “flash cook” for 20-30 seconds for each batch. Using a slotted spoon, take the dough out of the water and allow it to cool.

pretzel bites in a pot of boiling water.

Season the Bites: Arrange all flashed cooked pretzel bites on the parchment-lined baking sheet so they are not touching. Brush each bite with egg white mixture and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt.

salted pretzel bites on a baking sheet.

Bake the Bites: Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until the tops are browned. Remove from oven, and allow to cool slightly.

pretzel bites in a bread basket.

 

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.51 from 155 votes (141 ratings without comment)
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80 Comments
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Becky
Becky
September 4, 2019 11:08 pm

I’d like to try these but please tell me the 3259mg of sodium is a typo!

dana
dana
November 16, 2018 10:30 am

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?

Martha
Martha
July 17, 2018 6:26 am

These look delicious, but that dip….is it just a melted cheesy, fondue kind of dip? Pretty please, can you post the recipe?5 stars

2pots2cook
2pots2cook
June 30, 2018 2:09 am

Truly enjoy your works and this one is absolutely a keeper for gathering of all types ! Thank you, Becky !

Ally
Ally
June 29, 2018 12:54 pm

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!!

Karen
Karen
June 29, 2018 10:26 am

How long do you boil the dough for? They look so good.

Mary
Mary
January 19, 2018 8:51 am

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?5 stars

Sasha Bond
Sasha Bond
March 26, 2016 6:50 pm

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!

Sandra
Sandra
February 1, 2016 9:05 am

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!

Marion
Marion
May 27, 2015 1:36 am

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

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
May 27, 2015 10:58 am
Reply to  Marion

Thanks Marion!! That means a lot! Thanks so much for saying hi!