Soft Pretzel Recipe for Pretzel Bites

Did any of your schools offer soft pretzels at lunchtime? My middle school had a snack cart with less healthy options like nachos, Doritos, etc. As I was a BIG SHOT in sixth grade and new to Jr. High I got to choose my own lunch. My mom probably didn’t know this at the time, but with my lunch money, I would buy a Soft Pretzel everyday, often skipping the nutritionally balanced hot lunch that the money was intended for. Sorry mom. Anyways, you could order them plain or with a dip (marinara sauce or Ranch were my favorite). I would switch off between dips so I didn’t ever get sick of them {everyday} unless the hot lunch was something really good like Navajo Tacos. I never thought to make my own soft pretzel until I got my first Sam’s Club card and was tempted to revert to my malnourished lunch days by buying the gigantic box in the freezer section. I yielded the temptation thinking, if I have to make them myself, I won’t eat them as often {not realizing that they are very fast and easy to make}. Recently, I tried making pretzel bites out of our favorite dough recipe instead of the traditional version that has sugar in the dough. They were so yummy, I just had to share. I could call these sugar-free but I am sure none of you knew there is sugar in them in the first place right?

Soft Pretzel Recipe for Pretzel Bites

Follow the dough recipe found here. I know it says “Pizza Dough”, but trust me- this dough is simple and versatile and very yummy.
The ingredients you will need for it is:

3 c. “warm water” (see tip below)

2 Tbs. yeast

2 Tbs. sugar

1 tsp. salt

6 – 7 c. flour

For making this dough into Pretzels or Pretzel bites you will need:

3 c. water

1/3 c. baking soda

kosher salt for sprinkling

Directions:

Follow the steps to make the dough [found here].

While the dough rests, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Then, dissolve the baking soda into the 3 cups of hot water. Also, grease a cookie sheet or use the best invention ever, a Non-Stick Silicone Baking Mat.

Shape the pretzels or cut them into bites by rolling the dough into snakes about 3/4 inch in diameter. (I divided my dough into 16 pieces for giant soft pretzels but you can choose what shape or size. The baking time stays about the same time.

Once shaped, dip the dough into the soda mixture and place on the cookie sheet and sprinkle with coarse salt.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden.

Take them off of the sheet immediately to prevent them from sticking to the pan as it cools.

I can’t wait for you to try these! Please come back and comment when you eat the whole batch, accidentally.