These Pretzel Bites are unbelievably good! Brush ‘em with butter and sprinkle with coarse salt or profit from them dipped in cinnamon sugar! Dip salted pretzels in a simple cheese sauce or cinnamon sugar pretzels in a cream cheese glaze.
Our Favourite Pretzel Bites
I blame my youthful sister for my household’s full obsession with cozy pretzel bites! Her favourite handle is Auntie Anne’s® pretzel bites (or cinnamon pretzel bites) and he or she bought my kiddos hooked on them this earlier summer season season. She took them on just a few outings to a close-by mall that merely at the moment completed establishing a mannequin new play place. Every time they went, she bought them a batch (or two) of pretzel bites. And now, they consistently ask ME to go to the mall nonetheless just for the pretzel bites — they might care quite a bit a lot much less regarding the play place, ha!
In my try and avoid dropping driving time and people excessive sticker costs, I’ve created and refined our good Pretzel Bites recipe. These bites are cozy inside with a crisp exterior — they simply about soften in your mouth! They’re completely buttery and salted and completely irresistible when dipped contained in the cheese sauce! No ought to get restaurant pretzel bites–nothing beats selfmade!
What are Pretzel Bites Made Of?
Pretzel bites solely require 8 predominant parts — yeast, flour, salt, butter, honey, milk, water, and baking soda.
Most of those parts you probably have already got out there (considerably when you like making yeasted breads like French Bread, White Bread, or Honey Complete Wheat Bread from scratch).
Correct proper right here’s a fast breakdown:
Milk: We advocate full milk, nonetheless 1% or 2% will even work. Avoid skim or plant-based milks — neither will ship the richness we’re looking for.
Water: Heat, not scorching, water works finest. Drizzle just a few drops of the warmed water onto the within of your wrist. Whether or not or not it is heat and cozy for you, will almost definitely be great for the yeast.
Honey: We love the refined sweetness the honey delivers to those bites — not an excessive amount of is required, so don’t skimp correct proper right here!
Yeast: Each instantaneous and energetic dry will work, nonetheless energetic dry might make the rise time a bit longer.
Flour: We’ve examined this recipe with each all-purpose and bread flour. Whereas every works, bread flour is the hands-down winner. Bread flour has the next protein content material materials supplies which yields a superior chewier texture.
Salt: We add some salt to the dough then some to prime the pretzels with later.
Butter: As quickly as additional, some goes contained in the dough after which some is brushed on prime! Use unsalted butter to completely administration the quantity of salt in these Pretzel Bites.
Baking soda: We combine baking soda with boiling water to create a “bathtub” for the Pretzel Bites.
How To Make Pretzel Bites
An beautiful issue about Pretzel Bites is that they solely require one rise! These bites come collectively good and simple with just a few kitchen gadgets (Nonetheless don’t concern, they’ll nonetheless work with out this steered devices!):
Dough scraper and/or a sturdy rubber spatula are good for scraping the edges and transferring dough from floor to bowl.
Silicone liners or Parchment paper is critical for even browning –considerably on the underside crust. Ensure you’re utilizing parchment paper– not foil or wax paper. Wax paper will soften contained in the oven! (We love these sheets of parchment paper for ease!)
A stand mixer is invaluable when making Pretzel Bites!
We love these flour sack towels for overlaying the dough on account of it rises.
A versatile measuring tape helps guarantee the dimensions of the dough are on monitor.
Step One: Heat the milk and water, then proof the yeast.
Heat the milk to 105 – 115 ranges F.
Subsequent, we proof the yeast, which signifies that we activate it. To do that, pour heat milk and heat water collectively. Sprinkle on prime the yeast and honey. Whisk collectively and let it stand for 5-10 minutes.
Activated yeast can have a bubbly foam on the bottom. In the event you don’t get the foamy yeast, you’ll want to start out as quickly as additional in some other case you’ll find yourself with dense Pretzel Bites. The 2 commonest causes for the yeast not activating are earlier/unhealthy yeast, or the milk/water being too scorching.
Fast Tip Why do they determine it ‘proofing’ the yeast? Merely give it some thought: yeast that doesn’t rise obtained’t make good bread. So, while you set the milk, water, honey, and yeast collectively, you’re proving that it’s all fashionable. And that’s proof! To be grammatically acceptable, we should at all times on a regular basis almost definitely determine this course of ‘proving’ as a substitute of ‘proofing!’
Step Two: Mix Parts
In a separate bowl (that attaches to a stand mixer), mix flour and salt. Make a correctly inside the middle and pour contained in the melted butter after which the yeast combination. Use a spatula to scrape each little bit of those two mixtures into the flour.
Combine till the dough gathers all through the paddle attachment, along with additional flour if wished. It’s highly effective to present a precise flour measurement for yeasted recipes as measuring flour can drastically differ from explicit individual to explicit individual, plus there are variations on account of altitude and humidity. Look forward to dough that’s simple and cheesy. Whenever you contact it, your finger should face a little bit little bit of resistance nonetheless shouldn’t stick contained in the dough. Add flour slowly– you may frequently add additional, nonetheless you may’t take it away!
Fast Tip We furthermore examined this Pretzel Bites recipe utilizing a hand mixer. Whereas a bit additional work, they’ll do the job!
Step Three: Let the dough rise.
Cowl dough and let rise till doubled– about 1 and 1/2 hours— in a heat, draft-free ambiance.
The simplest rise temperature is 70 ranges Fahrenheit. Higher temperatures may kill the yeast and defend the dough from rising whereas decrease temperatures will gradual the yeast prepare (which can improve rise time).
Step 4: Roll out dough, lower out Pretzel Bites, add to a baking soda bathtub
As rapidly as a result of the dough is risen, give it a satisfying punch to deflate all these air bubbles. Change dough to a flippantly floured floor.
Scale back the dough into 2 equal devices and each bit into thirds (for a complete of 6 dough devices). Take out one piece of dough and canopy all the remainder with a towel.
Working with one piece, roll it proper right into a protracted snake-like rope, about 20-22 inches in dimension.
Scale back the rope into it 1-1/2 inch devices
Whereas reducing out the dough, carry an unlimited pot of water to a boil. Combine in baking soda (see “fast tip” beneath) after which add contained in the bites. Solely a fast “bathtub” contained in the water–too extended and the dough will take care of a metallic type.
Fast Tip Why add dough to a baking soda bathtub? The baking soda water permits the pretzels to develop their distinctive shade and texture (crispy on the ground and chewy on the within).
Step 5: Butter, salt, bake, and expertise!
As rapidly as a result of the pretzel bites have been removed from the baking soda bathtub, use a pastry brush to rub melted butter on prime. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt and bake!
After which….profit from each single chunk! These Pretzel Bites are at their absolute best served heat, appropriate out of the oven!
We’re sharing two Pretzel Bites recipes — buttery and salted with a cheese sauce OR buttery and sprinkled in cinnamon sugar with a cream cheese glaze.
Pretzel Bites Toppings
Brush on melted butter and sprinkle with “pretzel salt” or coarse salt. Pretzel salt may also be generally known as coarse meals grade salt — typically usually known as bagel salt, kosher salt, coarse sea salt. We’re looking for coarse large-grained white salt that’s uniform in dimension with out components. This ensures the salt will stick accurately to the pretzels, along with that elementary salted topping.
Brush on melted butter and dip in cinnamon sugar. For cinnamon sugar pretzels, bake the bites with out the butter or salt. Right out of the oven, brush butter on the bites (don’t dip or dredge them!) then dredge contained in the cinnamon-sugar combination.
Pretzel Chunk Dips
Cheese sauce. If making the buttery-salted pretzels, you’ll love them with the cheese sauce! This sauce may be very delicate, nonetheless you may kick it up a notch by along with in some scorching sauce or cayenne pepper for a spiced cheese sauce. It’s much like our favourite Queso Dip recipe, the place we use evaporated milk which delivers the perfect outcomes. Evaporated milk has 60% of the water eradicated, so it’s going to ship an additional flavorful and creamy cheese sauce with quite a bit a lot much less probability of dip separation.
Cream cheese sauce. If making the cinnamon-sugar pretzels, nothing beats this dipping sauce! It’s paying homage to Cream Cheese Frosting delivering a Cinnamon Roll-esque handle when paired with the cinnamon-sugar coated pretzels. Use leftover cream cheese and butter from this sauce to make the frosting that coats this Cinnamon Roll Cake.
Pretzel Bites FAQs
What goes correctly with Pretzel Bites?
These Pretzel Bites are good as an appetizer, handle, or snack. All you want is an environment friendly dipping sauce!
In the event you’re throwing a celebration, Pretzel Bites go correctly with fully completely different appetizers like Totchos, chips and Salsa, or sliders (Monte Cristo Sliders, Cuban Sliders, or Ham and Cheese Sliders).
How do you get salt to stay to pretzels?
Brush with melted butter earlier than baking and instantly add the salt. It will make certain the salt sticks.
What makes a unbelievable pretzel?
The very important issue to scrumptious pretzels is dipping the dough in a baking soda bathtub earlier than baking. With out it, the pretzels flip into dense rolls that don’t sort like pretzels.
StorageHow Extended Do Pretzel Bites Final?
Pretzels are positively finest the an an identical day they’re made, and absolute best as quickly as they’re nonetheless heat. (As is true with most home-baked yeasted recipes.)
It’s vital that the pretzels are fully cooled earlier than being saved. Place them on a cooling rack and depart them at room temp till fully cooled. Then, you may retailer them collectively in an unlimited hermetic bag. Retailer at room temperature for 3 as quite a bit as 5 days. (Cool air from the fridge will make them go stale faster.)
Heads-up: Pretzel Bites lose texture and magnificence the subsequent day. Reheat contained in the oven, microwave, or air fryer the subsequent day to crisp up a bit. To reheat, microwave for just a few seconds or bake in a 350 ranges F oven for five minutes.
Use Leftover Yeast In One Of These Recipes:
QUICK TIP: It might very nicely be useful to have a look at the tutorial video on this recipe put up earlier than beginning!YEAST: In a medium bowl, whisk 1 cup heat water, 1/2 cup heat milk (Phrase 5), 2-1/4 tsp. yeast, and a pair of tbsp honey and let sit 5-10 minutes. It should look creamy/foamy after 5 minutes (see {{photograph}}). If not, your yeast failed and it is attainable you may want to start as quickly as additional. (Every the yeast is lifeless or the water/milk was too scorching.) DOUGH: Contained in the bowl of a stand mixer (or giant bowl for many who shouldn’t have a stand mixer) mix 3 cups bread flour and 1 tsp salt. Stir to mix then make a correctly within the midst of the bowl. Pour contained in the 1 tbsp melted and cooled butter. Then use a spatula to scrape each little little little bit of the yeast combination appropriate on prime. Be a part of paddle or dough hook and beat on low velocity, scraping the edges as wished with a rubber spatula, till blended. Improve velocity and if wished, (See Phrase 6) add in as quite a bit as 3/4 cup additional flour, along with 1/4 cup at a time till the dough comes collectively on the dough hook and pulls away from the edges of the bowl whereas mixing. After mixing for about 2 minutes, if the dough continues to be sticky (sticking to sides of the bowl as a substitute of spherical hook) add the final word 1/4 cup flour. KNEAD AND RISE: As rapidly as dough is gathering all through the hook, knead on low velocity for five minutes or knead by hand on a flippantly floured floor. Knead and sort dough correct proper right into a ball. Spray an unlimited bowl with oil cooking spray, flip the ball to coat contained in the oil then cowl the bowl with a towel and let rise in a draft-free heat (70 diploma F) ambiance for 1 hour half-hour or till doubled in dimension. SHAPE PRETZEL BITES: Preheat the oven to 450 ranges F. Line an extra-large (15×21-inch) sheet pan (or 2 smaller pans) with silicone baking mats (most well-liked) or parchment paper (flippantly grease with cooking spray). Set ready pan(s) subsequent to the dough. Punch down the dough and dump onto a flippantly floured floor. Scale back dough into 6 equal devices (merely eyeball it). Take one piece for now, overlaying the opposite 5 devices with a towel. Use your palms to roll the piece into an outstanding extended rope, about 20-22 inches in dimension. Scale back the rope into 1.5-inch devices. Place devices on ready sheet pan. Repeat with remaining dough till all dough is lower into devices. BAKING SODA: Whereas reducing out the final word 3 ropes, carry 8 cups water in an unlimited pot to a boil. As rapidly as boiling, add in 1/4 cup baking soda and whisk till completely dissolved. Take 8 pretzel bites at a time in each palms and gently place (on the an an identical time) contained in the boiling water. Rely to 10 after which use an unlimited slotted spoon to carry up the pretzel bites, tapping in opposition to fringe of the pot to permit additional water to drip off. Place the bites as soon as extra on the ready baking sheet. Repeat till all bites have gone contained in the boiling water (if the water is getting foamy, cut back the warmth). When returning bites to the baking sheet, make sure they’re correctly spaced out, not overlapping, nonetheless they’re often comparatively shut collectively (see image). BAKE: Soften 4 tablespoons butter and use a pastry brush to brush butter generously over all of the pretzel bites (should make use of all or most of it). Sprinkle with coarse salt (about 1 tsp full) and bake for 12-18 minutes or till golden brown on prime, flippantly browned on backside, and baked by means of. (When you do not bake your full batch of pretzels instantly, bake time could be faster). Take away from the oven. Optionally accessible: for additional buttery bites, soften remaining 2 tablespoons butter and brush on bites appropriate out of the oven, along with a contact additional salt if desired. Serve heat. STORAGE: Pretzels are finest the an an identical day they’re made, and absolute best as quickly as they’re nonetheless heat. Cool fully earlier than storing: place on a cooling rack and depart them at room temp till fully cooled then retailer in an unlimited hermetic bag for 3 as quite a bit as 5 days. Reheat contained in the oven, microwave, or air fryer the subsequent day to crisp up a bit. To reheat, microwave for just a few seconds or bake in a 350 ranges F oven for five minutes. (Heads-up: on every day foundation of storing they lose additional texture)
Phrase 1: Yeast: We want utilizing instantaneous yeast, nonetheless energetic dry will work. Merely keep in mind the rise time is often longer!
Phrase 2: Bread flour: Bread flour has the next protein content material materials supplies which delivers such a better chew and texture to those Pretzel Bites. It’s advisable to make use of all-purpose flour, nonetheless they’re barely quite a bit a lot much less pretzel-like.
Phrase 3: Cinnamon sugar: Bake the Pretzel Bites completely plain with out butter or salt. Whereas the pretzel bites bake, soften 4 tablespoons unsalted butter and put aside. In a separate bowl whisk collectively 3/4 cup granulated sugar and a pair of teaspoons floor cinnamon. As rapidly as a result of the pretzels are completed baking (and nonetheless heat) use a pastry brush to brush every with butter (do not dunk in butter) after which generously dip contained in the cinnamon sugar– instantly transferring to a wire cooling rack. These are finest served heat, they might get soggy after quite a few hours. Proper right here is our favourite cream cheese sauce: In an unlimited bowl, utilizing a hand mixer (or a stand mixer) whisk collectively 4 ounces softened cream cheese with 2 tablespoons butter till simple. Add in 1 cup powdered sugar, a splash of vanilla, pinch of salt, and a pair of tablespoons heavy whipping cream. Beat till simple.
Phrase 4: Optionally accessible Cheese Sauce:
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 tsp nice sea salt and paprika
1/4 tsp pepper and garlic powder
1 tbsp white flour
1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
2 cups sharp (or additional sharp) freshly grated Cheddar cheese (6 oz. cheese)
For additional type/some warmth: add in scorching sauce or floor cayenne pepper (add slowly to sort)
In a small pot, over low warmth, soften the butter. As rapidly as melted, whisk in salt, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle in flour then whisk to mix. Put collectively dinner for 1 minute. Improve warmth to medium and add in evaporated milk very step-by-step whereas whisking consistently. As rapidly as blended, put together dinner dinner till thickened. Scale back to medium-low warmth and add contained in the cheese. Change to a picket spoon and stir consistently till cheese is melted. (This takes just a bit little little bit of time.) Chances are you’ll be tempted to extend the warmth, nonetheless do not — that is the way you get a grainy dip. As rapidly as a result of the cheese is totally melted, sort for seasoning and regulate. Dip will thicken and harden on account of it cools (an an identical to any melted cheese-filled recipe). It is good appropriate off the stovetop, nonetheless will get thicker and thicker the longer it stands. Keep it in dipping consistency by along with to a small crockpot or hotter.
Phrase 5: Water and milk temperature: I take 1/2 cup milk straight out of the fridge and pour correct proper right into a bowl then get very trendy faucet water and blend the 2 collectively. Confirm and it should be completely heat. Drizzle just a few drops of the warmed water onto the within of your wrist. Whether or not or not it is heat and cozy for you, will almost definitely be great for the yeast. If it’s not heat and as a substitute feels scorching, will almost definitely be too scorching for the yeast. Too chilly and the yeast will merely hold dormant.
Phrase 6: Flour: It is highly effective to present a precise flour measurement for bread as measuring flour can drastically differ from explicit individual to explicit individual. Too little flour and the dough could be too moist/sticky; an excessive amount of and the pretzels could be overly dense. In the event you’ve obtained a meals scale, I terribly advocate pulling it out for the measurement. No meals scale? Make sure that to fully refill the measuring cup then stage the perfect off with the as soon as extra of a desk knife. Even nonetheless, the quantity of flour you add to the dough can differ based mostly on humidity, altitude, and so forth. so it is best so as in order so as to add flour step-by-step awaiting these cues:
Flour seen cues:
Dough should purchase all through the paddle attachment as a substitute of sticking to the edges of the bowl.
Dough could be barely sticky, nonetheless lastly simple and cheesy. Whenever you contact it, your finger should face a little bit little bit of resistance nonetheless mustn’t stick contained in the dough.
Add flour slowly– you may frequently add additional, nonetheless you may’t take it away! Resist the urge so as in order so as to add an excessive amount of extra flour as this will take away from the softness of the dough.
Serving: 1serving | Vitality: 46kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fats: 1g | Saturated Fats: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 0.4g | Trans Fats: 0.1g | Ldl ldl ldl cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 238mg | Potassium: 15mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 43IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.1mgNutrition info is robotically calculated, so should solely be used as an approximation.