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To make these tasty treats, gather these ingredients: - 1 cup warm water (110°F-115°F) - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar - 2 teaspoons active dry yeast - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon salt - ¼ cup baking soda - 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash) - ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating) - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted When measuring, be sure to be precise. Use a kitchen scale if you have one. For substitutes, here are some ideas: - Use honey or agave instead of granulated sugar. - If you lack all-purpose flour, try using bread flour. - You can swap active dry yeast with instant yeast; just skip the proofing step. - If you want a vegan option, use aquafaba for the egg wash. Fresh ingredients make a big difference. They ensure flavor and texture shine in your pretzel bites. Always check your yeast. If it’s old, it won’t activate well. Fresh flour will create better dough. Use quality cinnamon for a rich taste. When your ingredients are fresh, your snacks will be more delicious and enjoyable. {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by mixing warm water, sugar, and yeast. Use a bowl for this step. Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. You want the mixture to be frothy. This shows the yeast is alive and ready to work. In another large bowl, mix flour and salt. Once the yeast mixture is frothy, pour it in. Stir with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. Then, move the dough to a floured surface. Knead it for about 5 minutes. You should feel it become smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a ball. Place it in a greased bowl and turn to coat. Cover it with a towel and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour. It should double in size. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a pot, bring 4 cups of water to a gentle boil. Add baking soda to create a soda bath. After the dough has risen, punch it down. Divide it into small pieces, about 1 inch each. Roll each piece into a ball. Drop them into the boiling soda water, a few at a time. Boil for about 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to take them out, draining excess water. Place them on the baking sheet. Brush each piece with a beaten egg wash for a golden finish. Finally, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mix over the pretzel bites before baking. Enjoy the warm, sweet aroma as they bake! To get soft and chewy pretzel bites, knead the dough well. Aim for about five minutes. You want a smooth, elastic dough. If it's too sticky, add a little extra flour. When they bake, the texture should be light and fluffy. One big mistake is not letting the dough rise enough. Allow it to double in size in a warm spot. If you skip this step, your bites will be dense. Also, don’t forget to brush them with the egg wash. This step gives them a nice golden color. Boiling the pretzel bites is crucial. Use a gentle boil with baking soda in the water. This helps create that classic pretzel taste. Boil them for about 30 seconds on each side. It might seem short, but it makes all the difference. Be sure to use a slotted spoon to remove them carefully. Too much water can make them soggy. Pro Tips Activate the Yeast: Ensure your water is at the right temperature (110°F-115°F) to properly activate the yeast, which helps the dough rise effectively. Knead for Texture: Knead the dough until it's smooth and elastic, which typically takes about 5 minutes. This develops gluten, giving your pretzel bites the perfect chewy texture. Soda Bath Importance: Boiling the pretzel bites in a baking soda solution before baking helps achieve that classic pretzel flavor and deep brown color. Serve Fresh: These pretzel bites are best enjoyed warm and fresh out of the oven. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture! {{image_4}} You can switch up the flavor of your pretzel bites easily. Try adding chocolate or cheese. For chocolate, melt semi-sweet chocolate and dip the warm bites. You can also sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top before baking. For cheese, use grated cheddar or mozzarella. Mix cheese into the dough or sprinkle it on top. These small changes create new and tasty bites. You can make your pretzel bites healthier too. Swap all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for more fiber. Use coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar for a lower glycemic index. For a dairy-free option, use olive oil instead of butter. You can also bake the bites without the egg wash to cut out extra fat. These tweaks keep the flavor while making them healthier. Serving your pretzel bites well makes them even better. Use a cute basket lined with a cloth napkin to keep them warm. Pair them with dips like creamy caramel or rich chocolate sauce. You can also try cheese sauce or a spicy mustard. These dips add a fun twist. Don't forget to share with friends and family; everyone loves these bites! After enjoying your cinnamon sugar pretzel bites, store any leftovers in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh and soft. You can also wrap them in plastic wrap or foil before placing them in the container. They will stay good for about two days at room temperature. If you want to keep them longer, refrigeration is a better option. To reheat your pretzel bites, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the pretzel bites on a baking sheet. Bake them for about 5-7 minutes. This brings back their crispy texture and warm taste. You can also microwave them for 15-20 seconds, but they may lose their crunch. If you want to save your pretzel bites for later, freezing is a great choice. Start by letting them cool completely. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, usually about an hour. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They can last up to three months in the freezer. To eat, just reheat them straight from frozen, following the same oven instructions. Homemade pretzel bites last about 2-3 days when stored properly. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. However, the texture may change. Reheat them in the oven to bring back some softness. Yes, you can use instant yeast. Instant yeast is faster and doesn’t need proofing. You can mix it directly with the flour. Use the same amount as active dry yeast, which is 2 teaspoons. Your dough will rise a bit quicker. Cinnamon sugar pretzel bites taste great with various dips. Here are some tasty options: - Creamy caramel sauce - Rich chocolate sauce - Vanilla icing - Cream cheese dip These sauces add extra fun and flavor to your pretzel bites. Enjoy experimenting! Making cinnamon sugar pretzel bites is fun and easy. You learned about the key ingredients, including their measurements and the need for freshness. We also covered how to prepare the dough and the boiling process. You picked up tips for great texture and common mistakes to avoid. With variations and storage tips, you can enjoy these bites anytime. Remember, using fresh ingredients and following each step yields the best results. Now it’s time to enjoy your delicious homemade pretzel bites!

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

Delicious soft pretzel bites coated in cinnamon sugar, perfect for snacking.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup warm water (110°F-115°F)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl, combine the warm water with 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and the active dry yeast. Stir gently, then let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating that the yeast is activated.
  • In a separate large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt until well combined. Once your yeast mixture is ready, pour it into the flour mixture. Stir using a wooden spoon or spatula until a soft dough starts to form.
  • Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it by hand for about 5 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic to the touch.
  • Shape the kneaded dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, turning it to coat. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
  • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) while the dough is rising. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • In a small pot, bring 4 cups of water to a gentle boil, then dissolve in the baking soda, creating a soda bath for the pretzel bites.
  • Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release air. Divide the dough into small pieces, each about 1 inch in size. Roll each piece into a small ball.
  • Carefully drop the pretzel bites into the boiling soda water a few at a time, letting them boil for about 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water, allowing excess liquid to drain before placing them on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Brush each pretzel bite with the beaten egg wash. This will give them a beautiful golden color during baking.
  • In a small bowl, combine the ½ cup of granulated sugar with the ground cinnamon. Generously sprinkle this mixture over each pretzel bite for an extra touch of sweetness.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the pretzel bites are golden brown and puffed up.
  • Once baked, immediately brush the warm pretzel bites with the melted butter to enhance their flavor and shine.
  • Allow the pretzel bites to cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Serve warm with dipping sauces for extra flavor.
Keyword cinnamon sugar, pretzel, snack