The Best Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites – Better Than Takeout

Soft pretzel bites are a classic game day snack that’s surprisingly easy to make at home. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting that perfect chewy texture is all in the boiling step. These soft pretzel bites are crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and way better than takeout. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole and Easy Mango Curd Tart Recipe.

What You'll Need for The Best Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites – Better Than Takeout

Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1 tbsp coarse sea salt
• Optional: Pretzel salt
• Optional: Everything bagel seasoning
• Optional: Melted butter for brushing

How to Make The Best Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites – Better Than Takeout

1. Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy. Add flour, sugar, salt, and melted butter. Mix until a dough forms.
2. Let it rise: Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
3. Shape the bites: Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 1 inch thick, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
4. Boil the bites: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Bring a large pot of water and baking soda to a boil. Drop the pretzel bites into the boiling water, a few at a time, and let them boil for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake the bites: Sprinkle the pretzel bites with coarse sea salt. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, if desired.

Storing & Reheating The Best Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites – Better Than Takeout

Short-Term Storage

Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Freezing The Best Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites – Better Than Takeout

Freeze uncooked dough for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before boiling and baking.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: Reheat in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 5-10 minutes. Microwave: Reheating in the microwave can make the pretzels soggy. Use the oven or toaster oven for best results.

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
• Best substitution: No instant yeast? Use active dry yeast and let it sit for 10 minutes before adding the flour.
• Make-ahead: The dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
• Troubleshooting: If your pretzels are not browning, try brushing them with an egg wash before baking.

The Best Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites – Better Than Takeout

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

20 mins

⏳

Total

1 hr 35 mins

🍽

Serves

8 servings

🥗

Diet

Gluten-free option

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Seasonings

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1 tbsp coarse sea salt

Optional Toppings

• Pretzel salt
• Everything bagel seasoning
• Melted butter for brushing

Instructions

1. Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine warm water and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy. Add flour, sugar, salt, and melted butter. Mix until a dough forms.
2. Let it rise: Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
3. Shape the bites: Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 1 inch thick, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
4. Boil the bites: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Bring a large pot of water and baking soda to a boil. Drop the pretzel bites into the boiling water, a few at a time, and let them boil for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Bake the bites: Sprinkle the pretzel bites with coarse sea salt. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter, if desired.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
• Best substitution: No instant yeast? Use active dry yeast and let it sit for 10 minutes before adding the flour.
• Make-ahead: The dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
• Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
• Troubleshooting: If your pretzels are not browning, try brushing them with an egg wash before baking.

Storage

• Fridge: Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze uncooked dough for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before boiling and baking.
• Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 5-10 minutes.
• Microwave reheat: Reheating in the microwave can make the pretzels soggy. Use the oven or toaster oven for best results.
• Make ahead: The dough can be made ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 220
• Protein: 6g
• Fat: 3g
• Carbs: 42g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 1400mg
• Cholesterol: 10mg
• Sat. Fat: 2g

Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.

The Best Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites – Better Than Takeout FAQs

A Warm Final Note

I can’t wait for you to try The Best Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!