I am excited to share my take on Quick And Easy Pretzel Bites that offer a delightful twist for game day foods. I combine lukewarm water, active dry yeast, flour, and melted unsalted butter to form a soft dough. The cinnamon sugar coating and baking soda finish complete this treat.

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I recently tried my hand at a batch of Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites and man, they turned out out way better than those store-bought ones. I mixed 1 cup of warm water (around 110°F) with 2 1/4 teaspoons of active dry yeast and a tablespoon of sugar to get that perfect start for the dough.

Then I tossed in 4 cups all-purpose flour, a teaspoon of salt and a couple of tablespoons of melted unsalted butter to bring it all together. After a quick dip in a baking soda bath (8 cups water mixed with 2/3 cup baking soda), I baked these bites until they were soft and fluffy.

Once out of the oven, I brushed them with more melted butter (4 tablespoons) and then coated them in a sweet mix of 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. This treat is a real winner for those game days and quick parties that I just couldn’t get enough of.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it’s really straightforward to follow and doesn’t need any fancy tools, so I can just have fun experimenting in my kitchen. I also love the way the cinnamon sugar coating hits—there’s this awesome mix of sweet and buttery flavors that makes every bite comforting and indulgent. On top of that, making these bites reminds me of mall pretzels but with a homemade twist, which makes me feel super creative and accomplished. Lastly, the whole process, from the foamy yeast beginning to the aromatic baking soda bath, makes the recipe feel like a fun little baking adventure.

Ingredients

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Warm water helps activate the yeast and dissolve ingredients for a smooth mix.
Active dry yeast boosts the dough rise and develops its tasty texture.
All-purpose flour supplies carbohydrates that form the dough’s essential structure.
Granulated sugar adds a light sweetness and helps nurture the yeast during proofing.
Melted unsalted butter brightens flavor and smooths out the dough consistency.
Baking soda in the water bath gives pretzels a crunchy crust and balanced pH.
Ground cinnamon sprinkles extra flavor, making each bite warm and slightly spicy.
Extra melted butter brushed on the pretzels keeps them soft and adds richness.

Ingredient Quantities

1 cup warm water (around 110°F)

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)

1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for activating the yeast)

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (to mix into the dough)

8 cups water (for the baking soda bath)

2/3 cup baking soda (for the pretzel dip)

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing after baking)

1/2 cup granulated sugar (for the cinnamon sugar coating)

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for the coating)

How to Make this

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1. In a small bowl, mix 1 cup warm water, 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar, then let it sit for about 5 minutes until its kinda foamy.

2. In a big bowl, combine 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt and add the melted 2 tablespoons butter then pour in the yeast mixture. Stir until everything comes together.

3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5 to 7 minutes until it feels smooth and a little elastic.

4. Put the dough in an oiled bowl, cover it with a clean dish towel and let it rise in a warm spot for around 1 hour until it has doubled in size.

5. Meanwhile, in a large pot, add 8 cups water and 2/3 cup baking soda. Bring this to a boil over medium-high heat.

6. Preheat your oven to 450°F.

7. Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down and divide it into bite sized pieces on a floured work surface.

8. Working in batches, carefully drop the pretzel bites into the boiling baking soda bath for about 30 seconds each then remove them with a slotted spoon.

9. Arrange the pretzel bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper then brush them evenly with 4 tablespoons melted butter.

10. In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, sprinkle this mixture generously over the bites and bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes until they look golden. Enjoy them while they are warm!

Equipment Needed

1. A small bowl to mix the warm water, yeast and sugar
2. A large mixing bowl to combine the flour, salt, melted butter and yeast mixture
3. Measuring cups and spoons for accurate portions of water, yeast, sugar, butter, and baking soda
4. A sturdy spoon for stirring and mixing the dough ingredients
5. A lightly floured countertop or work surface for kneading the dough
6. A clean dish towel to cover the dough as it rises
7. A large pot to boil the water and baking soda for the dipping bath
8. A slotted spoon to safely remove the pretzel bites from the boiling bath
9. A baking sheet lined with parchment paper to arrange the pretzel bites for baking
10. An oven preheated to 450°F for baking the finished snack

FAQ

Q: What temperature should the water be for the dough?

A: The water should be warm, about 110°F. Too hot kills the yeast and too cold wont activate it properly.

Q: How long do I let the dough rise?

A: Let it rise in a warm place until it doubles, usually about an hour or so.

Q: What exactly is the baking soda bath for?

A: The bath with baking soda helps develop that classic pretzel texture and browning. Its a must-do step!

Q: Can I store leftover pretzel bites?

A: Yup, store them in an airtight container for a day or two. Reheat in the oven to bring back the crispiness.

Q: Can i swap out any ingredients?

A: Sure! You can experiment with different types of flour or butter substitutes, but keep in mind it might change the texture and flavor a lot.

Q: What’s the best way to serve these bites?

A: I like serving these warm, right after brushing with the melted butter, with a side of creamy mustard dip or even just by themselves.

Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites Recipe Substitutions and Variations

1 cup warm water: You can use 1 cup of warm non-dairy milk instead which makes the dough a bit richer though it might slow down the yeast a bit
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast: If you dont have active dry yeast at home, try instant yeast by using around 1 3/4 teaspoons instead
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (into the dough): You can swap this with an equal amount of coconut oil or canola oil, but note that the flavor may change a little
1/2 cup granulated sugar (for the cinnamon sugar): Brown sugar can be used instead to give your coating a deeper, caramel-like flavor

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your water for the yeast is about 110°F; if its too hot it can kill the yeast and if its too cool it wont foam properly.
2. When kneading the dough, be careful not to add too much extra flour cause that can make your pretzel bites tough and dry; you just wanna achieve a smooth, elastic feel.
3. Watch the baking soda bath closely when its boiling cause it can bubble up and spill over pretty fast, so have all your tools ready to handle the dough quickly.
4. If you wanna switch things up, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or even a little bit of brown sugar into your cinnamon sugar mix for a unique twist on the flavor.