Description
Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzel Bites are a delightful snack featuring soft, chewy pretzel pieces coated in a warm cinnamon and sugar blend. These bites combine the classic pretzel taste with a sweet twist, perfect for satisfying cravings or serving at parties. Made from scratch with a yeast dough, boiled briefly in a baking soda bath, and baked to a golden brown, they offer the ideal balance of flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110-115°F)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Boiling Solution
- 10 cups water
- 2/3 cup baking soda
Topping
- 1 large egg yolk, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- Cinnamon sugar mixture: 1/2 cup granulated sugar mixed with 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water, granulated sugar, and kosher salt. Sprinkle the active dry yeast evenly on top and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make the dough: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and melted unsalted butter into the yeast mixture. Stir to combine and then knead the dough either by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook until the dough is smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky, about 5-7 minutes.
- Let the dough rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Allow it to rise in a warm place for approximately 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the pretzel bites: Punch down the risen dough and transfer it onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into long ropes and cut into small bite-sized pieces, arranging them on a baking sheet.
- Boil the pretzel bites: Preheat a large pot filled with 10 cups of water and 2/3 cup baking soda. Once boiling, gently drop the pretzel bites into the water in batches, boiling each batch for about 30 seconds. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Apply egg wash and cinnamon sugar: Brush each pretzel bite with the beaten egg yolk mixture to give a glossy finish. Immediately sprinkle generously with the cinnamon sugar mixture, ensuring each piece is coated.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Bake the pretzel bites for 12-15 minutes or until they turn a deep golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving warm.
Notes
- For softer pretzel bites, brush with additional melted butter after baking.
- You can adjust the cinnamon sugar amount to taste for more or less sweetness.
- Ensure water for the yeast is not too hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Boiling in baking soda water gives pretzels their classic chewy texture and shiny crust.
- Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container and reheat in an oven or toaster oven for freshness.
