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Pretzel Bites Recipe | Super Bowl Party Food!

Soft Pretzel Bites sprinkled with sea salt and oregano are incredibly easy to make, totally addictive, and melt in your mouth amazing! They’re the ideal bite-sized snack or appetizer for your next party, or for game day. Your guests will keep coming back for more!

mound of pretzel bites on baking sheet

An Easy Pretzel Bites Recipe

Pretzels have always been one of my favorite snacks. I remember my friends and I going to the mall just to buy  a soft pretzel, but they were always SO big, I wanted something smaller,  so I made mine bite-sized and topped them with my favorite topping – sea salt and oregano. And now every time my friends come over they put their order in for these pretzel bites. 

These pretzel bites are soft, buttery and totally addictive. If you are looking for a bite-sized snack or app to serve at your next party, look no further. These are guaranteed to be a crowd favorite! 

Best part is you can make them savoury or sweet, just by changing the topping! How great is that! 

What Are Pretzel Bites?

Pretzels are a  baked pastry made from dough that is commonly shaped into a twisted pretzel. These pretzel bites are cut into small square pieces making them easier to make and easier to eat. 

The traditional pretzel shape is a distinctive symmetrical form, with the ends of a long strip of dough intertwined and then twisted back onto itself in a particular way. They might seem intimidating to make, but trust me they are quite simple. Instead of shaping the dough into a twisted pretzel the dough is rolled into a long rope and cut in small square bites. 

Fun Facts

  • April 26th is National Pretzel Day.
  • October is National Pretzel Month.
  • Perhaps because of its religious roots, the pretzel has long been considered a good-luck symbol. German children wear pretzels around their necks on New Year’s Day. In Austria in the 16th century, pretzels adorned Christmas trees, and they were hidden along with hard-boiled eggs on Easter morning.
  • The phrase “tying the knot” came from the Swiss, who still incorporate the lucky pretzel in wedding ceremonies. Newlyweds traditionally make a wish and break a pretzel, in the same way people in other cultures break a wishbone or a glass.
  • Until the 1930s, pretzels were handmade, and the average worker could twist 40 a minute. In 1935, the Reading Pretzel Machinery Company introduced the first automated pretzel machine, which enabled large bakeries to make 245 pretzels per minute, or five tons in a day.

dipping pretzel in honey mustard

Ingredients For Pretzel Bites

The three main ingredients are flour, butter and water – how easy is that – right? 

Additionally, you will need:

  • Light Brown Sugar
  • Active Dry Yeast
  • Salt
  • Flour
  • Baking Soda
  • Egg
  • Toppings: sea salt plus oregano, garlic salt, cinnamon-sugar, and/or sesame seeds.

collage of making pretzel bites

How To Make Pretzel Bites

Word of advice: Have all ingredients ready before you start. 

  • In a large mixing bowl combine brown sugar, yeast, melted butter and water; whisk it and let sit for 5 minutes or until frothy. Next, add salt and flour to yeast mixture.
  • Attach the paddle attachment to your stand mixer and mix until all the flour is incorporated and the dough is pulling away from the sides and bottom of the bowl. 
  • Next, remove paddle attachment and set the dough hook to the mixer; “knead” for 2 minutes. You can also knead by hand for about 5 minutes on a lightly floured surface.
  • Shape the dough into a ball. Coat all sides of dough with a little oil and place the dough in a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm location for 1 hour or until dough is doubled in size. 
  • Divide dough into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope. Then, using a knife, cut 1 inch pieces and put the pieces on a plate. Repeat the process with the rest of the dough. 
  • In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Carefully add baking soda. Then, boil 10 pieces of dough at a time for about 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and arrange them on parchment paper lined baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough pieces. 
  • Brush egg wash over the dough pillows. Sprinkle with toppings – my favorite combination is the sea salt and dried basil or dried oregano. Then bake for 12 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack. 

Can I Make Pretzel Bites Ahead?

  • Absolutely! These pretzel bites are super convenient because you can prep them a week or even a month ahead and freeze them! This makes them the perfect snack to have on hand for unexpected guests or hungry kids. 
  • I prep and arrange them on a baking sheet, and pop the baking sheet in the freezer. Once they’re frozen I put them in an airtight storage container.
  • You can also freeze them after baking. Be sure to cool first, then place them in an airtight container. They will keep for up to 3 months. 

pretzel bites served on plate

How to Store Pretzel Bites?

Once your pretzel bites are baked and cooled, you can store them in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. 

FAQ

 Can you freeze pretzel bites? 

  • Keep pretzel bites frozen in an airtight container for up to three months.

How to defrost pretzel bites? 

  • Reheat from frozen in a 250˚F oven until warmed.

Why are pretzels dipped in baking soda?

  • The brief dip in an alkaline water bath before baking gelatinizes the outside of the pretzel, preventing it from fully “springing” during baking (as bread does) and giving it the unique “pretzel” flavor. 

ENJOY!

mound of pretzel bites on baking sheet

Pretzel Bites

Katerina | Diethood
These Pretzel Bites Recipe sprinkled with sea salt and oregano are incredibly easy to make, totally addictive and melt in your mouth amazing!
5 from 2 votes
Servings : 90 Pretzel Bites
Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 package (2¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, melted
  • 2 cups warm water
  • 3 teaspoons salt
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 6 cups water
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon water
Toppings: Your choice of any or all

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl combine brown sugar, yeast, melted butter and water; whisk and let sit for 5 minutes or until frothy.
  • Add salt and flour to the yeast mixture.
  • Attach the paddle attachment to a stand mixer and mix until all flour is incorporated and the dough is pulling away from the sides and bottom of the bowl.
  • Remove paddle attachment and attach the dough hook to the mixer; "knead" for 2 minutes. You can also transfer dough to a clean work area and knead by hand for about 5 minutes.
  • Shape dough into a ball and coat all sides of dough with a little bit of oil.
  • Place dough in a medium bowl; cover with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm location for 1 hour or until dough is doubled in size.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • Divide prepared dough into 8 smaller balls.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a long rope.
  • Using a knife, cut 1 inch pieces from the rope and put the pieces on a plate(s). Repeat process with the rest of the dough. You'll have anywhere from 80 to 100 pieces.
  • Prepare 4 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Whisk one egg with 1 tablespoon water and set it aside.
  • In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water to a boil.
  • Carefully add in baking soda.
  • Boil 10 pieces of dough at a time for about a minute.
  • Remove with a slotted spoon and put them down on the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough pieces.
  • Brush egg wash over dough pieces.
  • Sprinkle with toppings.
  • Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
  • Serve with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce.

Notes

Store remaining pretzel bites in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Pretzel Bite | Calories: 27 kcal | Carbohydrates: 6 g | Protein: 1 g | Fat: 1 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 2 mg | Sodium: 170 mg | Potassium: 8 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 1 g | Vitamin A: 3 IU | Calcium: 2 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy party appetizers, game day food, homemade bread, pretzels, super bowl food ideas
Did you make this recipe?Leave a Rating!

Categories:

RECIPE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON FEBRUARY 3rd, 2011. UPDATED RECIPE & PHOTOS ON JANUARY 31st, 2020. 

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45 comments on “Pretzel Bites Recipe | Super Bowl Party Food!”

  1. Hi; I’m wondering what the best option is for traveling with these? We need to go 3 hours from home. Should I boil them then bake at my destination? Or boil, bake, freeze – then defrost at 250 degrees at destination?

    1. Katerina - Diethood
      Katerina Petrovska

      Hi! No, don’t boil them if you don’t plan to bake them right away. If making the same day as traveling, they’ll be fine as long as you store them in an airtight container. Even if you make them one day ahead, they will still be OK for the next 2 days.
      You can make the pretzel bites and store them in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days at room temperature, 5 to 7 days in the fridge, or freeze them for up to 3 months.

  2. I know the Super Bowl is over now but you’ve got me craving these Pretzel Bites! I think I’ll have to make a big batch and freeze them. These would be the perfect snacking option for the weekend. Thanks Katerina!

  3. These look addictive! And I love that little cute hand digging into these beauties. Also, I want to let you know that I included these pretzel bites in my ‘Recipes of the week episode 3’ post to share it with my readers.

  4. Avatar photo
    The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time

    The last picture made me smile. I’ve heard about the “freshman 10” before but didn’t know it could happen through eating pretzels! Of course, there was the Velveeta too, huh. I love this recipe and the idea of making them bite-sized instead of the full twist shape. Thanks for sharing the story and the recipe.

  5. Avatar photo
    Erin @ Making Memories

    Oh my gosh! These look amazing! And too funny. Bloated, although it’s supposed to sound better… really doesn’t. But pretzels and cheese sound pretty darn good!

  6. Avatar photo
    Sprinkled with Flour

    Ok….I had my super bowl menu all planned out, but now I’m going to have to add these! They sound soooo good:)

  7. Ha! Bloated – gotta love that! 😉 My favorite is, “You’re just big boned, not fat” – says my mom when we weighed each other and I was 7 pounds lighter than her…Never mind the fact that I am way taller than her :-/

  8. Avatar photo
    Amanda @ bakingwithoutabox

    These look good. Perfect for studying. I’m sure it was just the salt that caused that freshman bloating. Such cute little reaching baby fingers!!! Oh so precious.

  9. Avatar photo
    Maggie @ Vittles and Bits

    SO cute! These look delicious, I want some right now! And I love the little hand snatching some up, how precious!

  10. Why did WE never get such wonderful things like Pretzel bites? They look fabulous. I also love your photo with the mixing of the yeast and the patterns it forms 😉

  11. Avatar photo
    Stephanie @ okie dokie artichokie

    Looks yummy! Ever since finding mini pretzel buns a few weeks ago, I’ve been wanting to whip up my own pretzels. Your recipe looks easy and the bites look so cute! I definitely need to bookmark this!! Thanks, Kate!

    P.S. Cute picture, BTW, of your baby grabbin’ some. So cute!! (I used to be a teacher for a child care center and worked with infants and toddlers…I miss the little ones!) :-p

  12. Avatar photo
    Lisa {AuthenticSuburbanGourmet}

    These look and sound divine! Absolutely perfect for the upcoming game. Thank you for sharing!!

  13. Avatar photo
    A little bit of everything

    oh, college years, in my freshman year i gained about 10 pounds in the first too months :((( was easier to step into a fast food than find a roommate that knew to cook :)))
    these pretzels bites sound good. I’m going to ask my 15 months old baby girl to try them out soon.
    Thanks for the recipe Kate, have a wonderful rest of the week

  14. Avatar photo
    Vicki @ Wilde in the Kitchen

    I love those mall pretzels. My mom and I always get them when we hit the mall 🙂 Now I can make them at home, perfect!

  15. These do look super yummy! I have no solid plan for Sunday yet so maybe I can sneak them in! (though, I would have to make a velveeta sauce because we love that stuff here – somewhere a foodie is staring me down for admitting that). XD

  16. I love all pretzels. I am an equal-opportunity-pretzel eater and now wish I was eating those bites. And yes, need a warm cheese sauce for slurping …. make that dipping.

  17. Oh my. Believe me, I don’t need any Superbowl to try out this recipe. Your pretzel bites look delicious!

  18. Pretzels just happen to be my one weaknes …it is my kryptonite!! I may not be able to wait for the game on Sunday to make these! YUM!

  19. Well, at least you got that 4.0! I know I gained a few lbs. and ended up with a 3.2 my freshman year! Hehe

  20. Avatar photo
    Lindsey at Burn Me Not

    Yum!! I am such a sucker for those mall pretzels. Thank goodness my trips to the mall have become less frequent because I just can’t resist them. 🙂 These bites look amazing; I cannot wait to try them!

  21. I too like pretzels, sourdough especially – your bites are perfect and I can just see a creamy cheese sauce on the side for dipping these babies in…

  22. My kids all made homemade pretzels in pre-school and they were requested for years after. I think I better surprise them with a batch of yours soon…maybe a good Super Bowl snack Thanks!

  23. Those look so good! My daughter would live on soft pretzels if I let her. For some reason they always intimidate me to make, but I think I may have to try your recipe out. Thanks!

  24. Avatar photo
    kimberly (unrivaledkitch)

    i love pretzels too their so delicious bready goodness. I’m sure if i made them my sister would go nuts.

    your babies little hand is the perfect little shot i want to eat them with him 🙂

    brava
    Kimberly

  25. Avatar photo
    lil @ sweetsbysillianah

    the freshman 15! that’s what college was for….pigging out! 😉 i wish we had pretzel bites like these in our dining hall… i can see myself eating and eating… yum-o!

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