These chewy, soft pretzel bites are here for you when you need them—which might be more than you think! When you taste just how good they are, you'll be amazed at how easy they are to make.
Soft pretzel bites
Happy October! It is officially fall so we're all welcoming the pumpkin spice and apple recipes into our homes. I'm all for those recipes (as you'll know by my favorite pumpkin recipes), but I think we're forgetting something... When I think of October, it reminds me of Oktoberfest, with all of its beer and soft pretzels! Are you with me?! You can celebrate Oktoberfest (or really just have an excuse to enjoy some warm, chewy carbs) by making these easy soft pretzel bites.
These soft pretzel bites are so delicious! They're warm, chewy, crispy, and amazing dipped into a cheese or mustard sauce. Don't be intimidated by the ingredients or process—these soft pretzel bites are easy to make! This recipe is perfect for a potluck, party, or appetizer this fall.
What ingredients do I need?
There are three categories you will need ingredients for: the pretzel dough, pretzel toppings, and baking soda water (to prepare the pretzels for baking). There's fewer than 10 ingredients needed for this recipe and most of them are common pantry items!
Pretzel Dough
- warm water (1 and ½ cups)
- active dry or instant yeast (1 packet)
- salt (1 tsp)
- brown sugar (1 tbsp)
- unsalted butter melted and cooled (1 tbsp)
- kodiak cakes mix (4-5 cups)
Pretzel Toppings
- egg beaten (1 egg)
- coarse sea salt for sprinkling
Baking Soda Water
- baking soda (½ cup)
- water (9 cups)
What equipment do I need for this recipe?
Here's what you'll need to make this recipe:
- large mixing bowl
- wooden spoon
- oven
- baking sheets
- parchment paper
- large pot
- slotted spoon
- optional: stand mixer
What is the process for this recipe?
It might look like quite a few steps to make this recipe, but don't be intimidated! These soft pretzel bites are actually easy to make. My husband and I made them together and it was fun to be able to work together to make these!
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Add the yeast into the 1 and ½ cups of warm water. Mix well. Let it sit for about 1 minute.
- Add the salt, brown sugar, and melted butter to the yeast water. Mix everything together well.
- Add 4 cups of kodiak cakes mix, 1 cup at a time. Then, use a wooden spoon to mix the dough until it is thick. Add a little bit more kodiak mix until the dough is no longer sticky. (You can also use a dough hook attached to standing mixer instead of a wooden spoon.)
- Sprinkle some Kodiak Cakes mix onto your work surface (a marble slab or countertop will work fine). Place the dough on the surface. Knead the dough for 3-4 minutes, then shape into a ball.
- Spray a mixing bowl with nonstick cooking oil. Add the ball of dough to the mixing bowl. Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for about 10 minutes in a warm area.
- Next, when the dough is ready, cut the dough ball into 6 sections. Roll the dough into ropes and then cut the ropes into 1.5 inch pieces to make bite-sized balls.
- Prepare the baking soda water by adding ½ cup baking soda to 9 cups of water to a large pot. Bring to a boil.
- Add about 6 pretzel bites into the boiling water. Remove with a slotted spoon after 10 seconds. Place the bite-sized pretzels spread out onto the parchment paper lined baking sheets.
- Use a fork to beat the egg in a small bowl.
- Brush the beaten egg over each pretzel bite. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Bake the batches for 10-15 minutes each, or until golden. Optional: Broil for 3 minutes to make the bites extra crispy.
- Remove from oven and serve with cheese or honey mustard sauce for dipping.
- Enjoy!
How should I eat these bites?
These soft pretzel bites are so delicious they can be enjoyed right off the pan! Although they're delicious on their own, my suggestions is to pair them with a cheese sauce (either store-bought or homemade) or mustard sauce. If you're really looking to step up your pretzel game, make both!
Looking for something similar?
If you're looking for another appetizer or potluck recipe, try my Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip or BBQ Chicken Nachos. These recipes are all crowd favorites!
Can I have the recipe?
If you try this recipe and love it, please rate it and me know your thoughts! I hope you enjoy these soft pretzel bites.
Soft Pretzel Bites
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Standing mixer (optional)
- oven
- Baking sheets
- parchment paper
- large pot
- slotted spoon
Ingredients
Pretzel Dough
- 1 and ½ cups warm water
- 1 packet active dry or instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 4-5 cups kodiak cakes mix
Pretzel Topping
- 1 egg beaten
- coarse sea salt for sprinkling
Baking Soda Water
- ½ cup baking soda
- 9 cups water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Add the yeast into the 1 and ½ cups of warm water. Mix well. Let it sit for about 1 minute.
- Add the salt, brown sugar, and melted butter to the yeast water. Mix everything together well.
- Add 4 cups of kodiak cakes mix, 1 cup at a time. Use a wooden spoon to mix the dough until it is thick. Add a little bit more kodiak mix until the dough is no longer sticky. (You can also use a dough hook attached to standing mixer instead of a wooden spoon.)
- Sprinkle some Kodiak Cakes mix onto your work surface (a marble slab or countertop will work fine). Place the dough on the surface. Knead the dough for 3-4 minutes, then shape into a ball.
- Spray a mixing bowl with nonstick cooking oil. Add the ball of dough to the mixing bowl. Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for about 10 minutes in a warm area.
- When the dough is ready, cut the dough ball into 6 sections. Roll the dough into ropes and then cut the ropes into 1.5 inch pieces to make bite-sized balls.
- Prepare the baking soda water by adding ½ cup baking soda to 9 cups of water to a large pot. Bring to a boil.
- Add about 6 pretzel bites into the boiling water. Remove with a slotted spoon after 10 seconds. Place the bite-sized pretzels spread out onto the parchment paper lined baking sheets.
- Use a fork to beat the egg in a small bowl.
- Brush the beaten egg over each pretzel bite. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Bake the batches for 10-15 minutes each, or until golden. Optional: Broil for 3 minutes to make the bites extra crispy.
- Remove from oven and serve with cheese or honey mustard sauce for dipping.
- Enjoy!
Carolyn says
I LOVE THESE! Easy and a healthier twist for a great appetizer!
Sarah says
sooooo good! go make them!