Amazing soft pretzel bites are easily made with pizza dough. Sprinkled with salt or cinnamon sugar, these pretzel nuggets are a favorite! In 30 minutes they are ready to be devoured.
Soft pretzel bites were on my table last year for Super Bowl.
Zoe was here and the Phillies were playing, so it was definitely pretzel season.
Well, this year I made them again and I must admit they are still just as good.
Have you ever tried making these chewy pretzel nuggets? Well, if you like pretzels, it's about time!
Table of contents
FYI
Soft pretzels originated in Medieval Europe as treats for children learning thier prayers. The twisted shape symbolized arms crossing the chest. German immigrants who became known as the Pennsylvania Dutch brought the pretzel to America in the1700's.
Pennsylvania consumes 12 times more than the national average and is known as the pretzel capitol of the world.
Baking soda creates a dark, shiny exterior and a chewy interior because it decreases the dough's alkalinity and is much safer for home bakers to use than lye.
I Love Soft Pretzel Bites
Years ago when I ventured into malls I discovered Cinnabon and Auntie Ann's.
The closest I had come to cinnamon sugar at that point was when I was a wee one and my dad used to make me cinnamon sugar toast.
He made sure to put lots of butter so that it melted into golden pools which were then carefully filled with sugar. And cinnamon.
I even sent my kids off to school with these "healthy" slices of toast!
But when Auntie Ann's was discovered I started to buy the cinnamon sugar pretzels for them- which I probably ate! LOL!
Anyway, this was how I found soft pretzels and I must say that they made me very happy.
Years later when ever I find myself in the Philadelphia airport I yearn for a soft pretzel.
Unfortunately, I've never had a good experience finding nirvana in the Philly airport. So that leads me to making these simple soft pretzel recipe bites.
It was this past weekend I found myself with a plastic bag of pizza dough that needed to be used.
Since we had just ordered pizza (go figure) and had leftovers in the fridge I needed to find something to do with the dough. (I hate letting food go to waste!)
Remembering last year's pretzel bite recipe and how it disaappeared SO fast, I decided to make them for Manservant as he watched the Broncos game.
I'm a good wife!
How To Make Pretzel Bites
In just a few easy steps you can make soft pretzels from pizza dough.
I have heard of pretzel bites made with biscuit dough but I haven't tried these and I'm guessing the texture might be a bit softer.
In any case, this easy pretzel recipe delivers-so get your oven ready!
Preheat the oven to 425.
Start your water boiling in a large pot. I used my Dutch oven-making sure to not fill the post within 4" of the rim.
This is important because you don't want the water to boil over when you add the baking soda.
Divide the pizza dough into 4 equal pieces and roll those into ropes.
Slice the ropes into 1" pieces.
When the water boils slowly pour in the baking soda. Then add the pizza dough pretzels in batches and boil for 30-60 seconds.
Let them drain on paper towels.
After all have boiled, transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet and brush with an egg wash.
Bake for 15-18 minutes and then brush with melted butter and sprinkle with salt, cinnamon sugar or other toppings.
Want real pretzel salt? Look what I found!
Homemade Pretzel Toppings and Serving Suggestions
Besides kosher salt and cinnamon sugar, everything bagel seasoning is becoming very popular.
Garlic powder or garlic chips and minced onions are so good.
Sesame seeds or poppy seeds are not uncommon. Parmesan cheese makes a great sprinkle.
Sweet toppings include a chocolate or vanilla drizzle. And don't forget the sprinkles.
Common dips are queso or beer cheese or a beer cheese sauce. Marinara or this no-cook pizza sauce and honey mustard are also good as is just plain spicy yellow mustard.
Can Pretzel Nuggets Be Made Ahead?
Most definitely! However don't sprinkle with salt if storing.
Salt draws out moisture and you may notice they get damp and wrinkly if stored in an airtight container.
When you plan to serve them, sprinkle lightly with water and then sprinkle with coarse salt before placing in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 5 minutes.
Honestly, these are so easy to make, I boil them and then set them aside to bake before company arrives.
Give them a try. No one expects to be served homemade pretzels but this is a fun recipe to make.
And I guarantee you will make them again and again, just so you can experiment with your own variations!
Next time it will be cinnamon and sugar, just for me.
I'd love to hear if you make this recipe!
Please share a review or rate the recipe,
and be sure to tag me on social!
Recipe
Soft Pretzel Bites From Pizza Dough
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 - 6 Servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Cuisine: American
Description
Amazing soft pretzel bites are easily made with pizza dough. Sprinkled with salt, cinnamon sugar, or other toppings, these pretzel nuggets are a favorite! In 30 minutes they are ready to be devoured.
Ingredients
1 pound package pizza dough (I use Trader Joes)
6-8 cups of water
⅓ cup baking soda
1 egg, beaten mixed with 1 T of water
4 T melted butter (You will probably have some leftover.)
Coarse Kosher Salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425.
Fill a large pot with water. Make sure the water line is 3-4" below the rim of the pot.
While the water is coming to a boil, unwrap the pizza dough and divide into 4 sections.
Roll each into 4 "ropes" about 8-10" long. Cut each into 1" pieces.
When water has boiled, slowly add the baking soda.
Add dough nuggets to the water but do not crowd. I did this in two batches. Cook the dough for 30-60 seconds.
Remove with slotted spoon to a paper towel lined sheet to drain.
When oven is preheated, place pretzel bites on a parchment lined baking sheet and brush with egg wash.
Bake 15-18 minutes or until pretzel bites are golden brown. This is personal preference as you can bake them a bit longer or a bit shorter! Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt. OR see other sprinkle suggestions in post above!
Notes
Please see post for ideas on toppings and serving.
Egg wash is 1 beaten egg mixed with 1 T of water. Whisk together and brush on each bite before baking.
Thanks Midwest Foodie!
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