Pretzel Bites

Pretzel Bites

• ▢1 1/2 cups water (lukewarm)
• ▢2 1/4 teaspoons instant rise yeast ((1/4 ounce packet))
• ▢2 Tablespoons butter (melted)
• ▢1 Tablespoon brown sugar
• ▢1 teaspoon salt
• ▢4 cups flour
• ▢1/2 cup baking soda
• ▢1 egg (beaten)
• ▢Coarse salt (for sprinkling)

Instructions

Pretzel Bites

• Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water. Whisk well until combined, about 1 minute. 
• To a mixing bowl add the butter, brown sugar, salt, and yeast mixture. Stir until combined. Slowly add in 3 cups of flour, 1 cup at a time. Mix by hand or use mixer fitted with dough hook, until dough is thick. Add 3/4 cup more flour and stir. If dough is still sticky, add flour, and additional 1/4 cup at a time, until no longer sticky, and dough bounces back when poked with your finger.
• Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 2 minutes and shape into a ball. Place in a large mixing bowl that has been lightly coated with nonstick spray. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. 
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil with the baking soda, preheat oven to 425 degrees, and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. 
• Section dough into six equal parts and roll each section into long ropes. Then, cut into 1-1/2 inch bites.
• Once water is boiling, drop 10 pretzel bites into water and boil 20 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place onto prepared baking sheets, making sure that pretzel bites do not touch. Repeat with remaining pretzel bites.
• Brush beaten egg over each pretzel bite and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown, rotating the sheet pans once halfway through cooking.