Soft Pretzel Bites

5 from 2 votes

These soft pretzel bites are small pretzel bites. They are homemade and have great flavor. They are also paired with a nacho cheese sauce.

Prep Time45

Cook Time15

Resting Time30

Total Time1 30

Servings: servings

Calories: 404kcal

Ingredients

Soft Pretzel Bites

1 ½ cups Warm water warmed to 110℉
2 ¼ teaspoon Active dry yeast 1 packet
1 tablespoon Brown sugar
2 teaspoon Salt
4 cups All-purpose flour
¼ cup Unsalted butter melted
6-8 cups Water
½ cup Baking soda
Pretzel salt
1 Large egg egg wash
1 tablespoon Water egg wash

Nacho Cheese Sauce

8 oz Sharp cheddar cheese shredded
¼ cup Unsalted butter
¼ cup All-purpose flour
2 cups Milk
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes Optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Soft Pretzel Bites

In a small bowl, add the warm water (warm it to 110℉) add the yeast. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
1 ½ cups Warm water, 2 ¼ teaspoon Active dry yeast
In a large bowl, add the flour, brown sugar, salt, melted butter, warmed water/yeast mixture.
1 tablespoon Brown sugar, 2 teaspoon Salt, 4 cups All-purpose flour, ¼ cup Unsalted butter
Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, mix on low speed until a dough starts to form. Turn to medium speed and knead for 5 minutes. For making by hand instructions see notes.
Preheat the oven to 200℉. Spray a large bowl lightly with nonstick spray. Place the dough into the bowl. Cover the dough with a kitchen towel. Place the bowl into the oven, turn off the oven, and crack open the door. Let it rise for 30 minutes.
Take the dough out of the bowl. Split the dough into 6. Take each ⅙th of the dough roll into a log or a rope about 18-20 inches long. Cut into 2 inch pieces.
Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. It is important to spray the parchment paper with nonstick spray. Otherwise the bites will stick.
Pour water and baking soda into a large pot. Heat on high heat until boiling. Place about 10 pretzel bites (depending on how large your pot is) in the boiling water. Let the boil for 15 seconds. Then, remove the bites out of the water by using a slotted spoon. Try to let as much water as you can drip off the dough.
6-8 cups Water, ½ cup Baking soda
Place the boiled bites on the parchment paper. Repeat until all the bites are boiled. Preheat the oven to 400℉
Mix the egg and water together. Use a pastry brush, to brush the bites with the egg wash. Top with pretzel salt (coarse salt).
Pretzel salt, 1 Large egg, 1 tablespoon Water
Bake one cookie sheet at a time. Bake for 12-18 minutes. Bake until the pretzels are golden brown. While the pretzels are cooking, make the cheese sauce.

Nacho Cheese Sauce

Shred the sharp cheddar cheese. Set aside. In a medium sauce pot, add the butter. Heat on medium heat until melted.
8 oz Sharp cheddar cheese, ¼ cup Unsalted butter
Add in the flour, Use a whisk to mix until combined. Keep whisking and let it cook for 1 minute.
¼ cup All-purpose flour
Slowly add in the milk. Whisk in the milk. Once the flour mixture is mixed into the milk, add in the shredded cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Heat for 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and it slightly thickens.
2 cups Milk, Salt and pepper to taste, ¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes

Notes

Flour- Make sure flour is spooned and leveled or use a kitchen scale. Compacted flour can dry out the pretzels

Making by hand:

Mix the wet ingredients into the dry by using a rubber spatula. Switch to using your hands to mix until a dough starts to form.

Place dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead using your hands for 5-8 minutes.

It is done when your spread the dough apart thinly using your fingers. Hold the dough to the light. If you can see light through it, then it is done.

Nutrition