Introduction

Oh, the cozy, buttery goodness of a soft pretzel! Remember those days at the ballpark or the fair, that warm, chewy bite that just screams comfort? Well, I’ve got a secret for you: you can totally recreate that magic right in your own kitchen, and it’s ridiculously easy. We’re talking about making these adorable, bite-sized soft pretzels with almost no fuss, using a little shortcut that will make you feel like a baking wizard. Seriously, get ready to impress yourself (and everyone you share these with!).

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: We’re talking minimal active time, perfect for when that pretzel craving hits.
Easy: No fancy techniques needed, just a few simple steps.
Giftable: Package them up in a cute tin or bag, and you’ve got the most delicious homemade gift!
Crowd-pleasing: Who can resist a warm, salty bite? These are always a hit at parties or game nights.

Ingredients

Gather ’round, because this recipe is all about keeping things simple and delicious. You might already have most of these in your pantry!

16 ounces store-bought pizza dough: Yep, you read that right! This is our secret shortcut to perfectly chewy pretzel bites without all the kneading and proofing.
6 cups water, divided: Just regular water to get things boiling.
⅔ cup baking soda: This is key for that authentic pretzel chew and that beautiful brown color. Don’t skip it!
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten: This little wash gives our pretzel bites that gorgeous golden sheen and helps the salt stick.
Coarse sea salt: For that classic, irresistible pretzel crunch and salty kick.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get our hands a little doughy and make some magic happen!

Preheat and Prep: First things first, let’s get that oven ready. Preheat it to 400°F (200°C). Then, grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. This makes cleanup a breeze, and nobody likes stuck-on pretzel dough!
The Baking Soda Bath: In a nice, big pot, pour in 5 cups of water and whisk in your baking soda. We want to bring this to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. This is where the pretzel magic really starts to happen.
Dough Time: While that water is getting nice and hot, it’s time to prep our dough. Take your store-bought pizza dough and cut it into little bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch squares. Think of them as mini dough pillows!
The Boil: Once your baking soda water is at a vigorous boil, it’s time to carefully drop those dough pieces into the pot. Do this in batches so you don’t crowd the pot – we want them to have room to do their thing. Let them boil for just 30-60 seconds per batch. You’ll see them puff up a little, and that’s exactly what we want!
Drain and Transfer: Using a slotted spoon (or even a spider strainer if you have one!), gently lift the boiled dough pieces out of the water and place them onto your prepared baking sheet. They’ll be soft and a little sticky, which is perfect.
The Golden Wash: Now, grab that lightly beaten egg yolk. Brush the tops of your pretzel bites with it. This is what gives them that beautiful, glossy, golden-brown finish.
Salt Attack: Time for the best part – the salt! Sprinkle those lovely bites generously with coarse sea salt. Don’t be shy!
Bake to Perfection: Pop that baking sheet into your preheated oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until they’re beautifully golden brown and puffed up. Keep an eye on them; ovens can be a little different!

Substitutions & Additions

Want to jazz things up a bit? Here are some ideas!

Cheese, Please! For cheesy pretzel bites, try adding some shredded cheddar or Parmesan cheese to the dough before you cut it, or sprinkle it on top before baking.
Everything Bagel Seasoning: Swap the coarse sea salt for everything bagel seasoning for a fun twist.
Cinnamon Sugar: For a sweet treat, skip the salt and brush with melted butter after baking, then toss with a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the egg wash for a subtle heat.

Tips for Success

A few little pointers to make sure your pretzel bites turn out absolutely perfect every time!

Don’t Over-boil: Boiling for too long can make them mushy. Stick to that 30-60 second window!
Parchment Paper is Your Friend: Seriously, it’s a game-changer for easy cleanup.
Egg Wash Evenly: Make sure to brush the egg yolk over the tops of the bites for that consistent golden color.
Prep Ahead: You can cut and boil the pretzel bites ahead of time. Store them on a baking sheet in the fridge, uncovered, for up to a few hours before brushing with egg wash and baking. This helps them dry out just enough for that perfect chew.

How to Store It

Got leftovers? Lucky you! These pretzel bites are best enjoyed fresh, but if you do have some extras:

At Room Temperature: Store them in an airtight container or a resealable bag at room temperature for up to 2 days. They might lose a little bit of their crispness, but they’ll still be yummy!
Reheating: To bring back a bit of that warm, chewy goodness, you can pop them in a toaster oven or regular oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes until warmed through.

FAQs

Can I make these without baking soda?: While baking soda is crucial for that authentic pretzel flavor and texture, you could try making them without it, but they won’t have the same chewy, browned crust. They’ll be more like small bread rolls.
Can I use a different type of salt?: Coarse sea salt is preferred for that classic crunch, but you can use pretzel salt if you have it. Avoid fine table salt, as it will dissolve too quickly.
How do I get my pretzel bites to puff up more?: Ensure your baking soda water is at a rolling boil when you add the dough, and don’t overcrowd the pot. Also, make sure your pizza dough is at room temperature – cold dough might not puff as well.

Easiest Soft Pretzel Bites

A simple and quick recipe for soft, chewy pretzel bites using store-bought pizza dough as a shortcut, perfect for parties or a comforting snack.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Equipment

Baking Sheet lined with parchment paper
Pot large enough for boiling
Slotted spoon or spider strainer
Pastry brush for egg wash

Ingredients

Hauptzutaten

16 ounces store-bought pizza dough cut into 1-inch squares
6 cups water divided
0.67 cup baking soda
1 egg yolk lightly beaten
coarse sea salt for topping

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large pot, combine 5 cups of water and the baking soda. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
16 ounces store-bought pizza dough
While the water heats, cut the pizza dough into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch squares.
16 ounces store-bought pizza dough
Carefully drop the dough pieces into the boiling water in batches, boiling for 30-60 seconds per batch.
Using a slotted spoon, remove the boiled dough pieces and place them onto the prepared baking sheet.
Brush the tops of the pretzel bites with the lightly beaten egg yolk.
16 ounces store-bought pizza dough
Sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt.
16 ounces store-bought pizza dough
Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed up.

Notes

For cheesy pretzel bites, add shredded cheddar or Parmesan. For a sweet treat, skip salt and toss with cinnamon-sugar after baking. Can be prepped ahead and stored in the fridge.