Soft Pretzel Bites

Ingredients

• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp instant yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• Baking soda bath: 6 cups water + 1/4 cup baking soda
• Coarse salt, melted butter for brushing
• Cheese sauce or mustard for dipping

Method

1. Make dough: combine ingredients, knead 8 min. Rise 1 hour.

2. Divide into 8 pieces. Roll each into a 12-inch rope. Cut into 1-inch bites.

3. Bring baking soda water to a boil. Boil pretzel bites in batches 30 sec. Remove with slotted spoon.

4. Place on parchment-lined sheet pan. Sprinkle with coarse salt.

5. Bake 425°F for 12–14 min until deep golden brown.

6. Brush with melted butter. Serve with cheese sauce or mustard.

What You're Practicing

• The baking soda bath is the secret — it creates the alkaline environment that gives pretzels their dark, chewy crust and distinctive flavor.
• Same chemistry as ramen noodles (which use kansui, an alkaline solution).