Description
A forgiving, beginner-friendly recipe for authentic Bavarian soft pretzel bites using just a few simple ingredients. These chewy, golden-brown bites are boiled in a baking soda bath and baked to perfection, making them ideal for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
- 2 packets (14g) active dry yeast
- 1 ½ cups (360ml) warm water
- 8 cups (2 liters) water (for boiling)
- ½ cup (60g) baking soda
- 1 large egg (beaten with 1 tbsp water)
- Coarse kosher salt or pretzel salt
- Melted butter (optional, for brushing)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Stir to dissolve and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula, then knead by hand in the bowl for 3-5 minutes until a smooth, tacky ball forms. Add small amounts of flour if too sticky.
- Cover the bowl with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot for 30-45 minutes until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Divide dough into two halves. Roll one half into a 12-inch rope and cut into 12 pieces. Repeat with the second half to create 24 bite-sized pieces. Roll into rough balls or logs and place on baking sheets.
- Cover shaped bites and let rest for 15 minutes.
- While dough rests, bring 8 cups of water and baking soda to a rolling boil in a large pot.
- Working in batches, boil 4-5 pretzel bites for 30 seconds per side. Remove with a slotted spoon and place back on baking sheets.
- Brush boiled bites with egg wash and immediately sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until deep golden brown.
- Remove from oven and brush with melted butter if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
Ensure water is warm (bathwater temperature) but not hot to avoid killing the yeast. Do not skip the boiling step as it creates the signature crust. Salt immediately after egg wash while wet. For best results, eat within an hour of baking. Leftovers can be reheated in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 bites per serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 36
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 5
Keywords: pretzel bites, bavarian pretzels, easy pretzel recipe, beginner baking, Oktoberfest food, soft pretzels, homemade pretzels