BEST Homemade soft pretzel bite recipe (2024)

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This is the BEST Homemade soft pretzel bite recipe you are going to find! These soft pretzel bites are a perfect Auntie Anne’s pretzel bites copy cat recipe! These easy homemade soft pretzels are one of my kid’s favorite snacks. I promise you these are the BEST soft pretzels you are going to find that you can make at home!

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Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe

We originally shared this amazing recipe back in 2014, however we were just getting started with our blogging adventure and learning how to use our camera so our photos were not as pretty. We have since updated the photos and added some information that covers questions people have asked about how to make homemade soft pretzels.

Homemade soft pretzel bites are one of our favorite snacks to make. There really isn’t a time that is best to enjoy them, we like to make them just because they are amazing and seriously the best snack ever.

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If you have been following us for a long time, this is the same pretzel recipe you have loved for years. We just thought it was time to update the photos and some helpful questions that you have all asked. If you are new, I am telling you that you are going to LOVE this homemade pretzel bites recipe as it is the BEST one you are going to find!

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Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Bites Copycat

My mom and I always stop at Auntie Anne’s whenever we are at the mall to split a yummy snack, which is why it was important to me to come up with an amazing homemade pretzel recipe. This soft pretzel recipe tastes just like theAuntie Anne’s Pretzel Bites!

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I have tried many homemade soft pretzel bites recipes thinking that it is the homemade soft pretzel bites recipe. Come to find out the were gross so I gave up trying to use other people’s recipe and came up with one on my own instead! I promise you, this is the BEST homemade soft pretzel recipe ever!

My household including myself are picky when it comes to making any food at home. We want GREAT food and while it might have taken a long time to perfect this homemade cinnamon sugar pretzel recipe it was well worth it!

The printable directions for this homemade soft pretzel bites recipe can be found below to make your life easier.

Easy Copy Cat Recipes

Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Dogs
Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels
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Shamrock Shake
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What kind of dip goes with pretzels?

I can sit and pop these homemade pretzel bites in my mouth and not dip them in anything because they are THAT good, however if you are a dipper there are lots of amazing things to dip homemade pretzels in. You have your normal dips like cheese dip, mustard, chocolate, but if you think outside of the box you may even shock your own taste buds!

When I am dipping mine I lovehomemade white cheddar queso. It is super easy to make and tastes amazing paired with homemade pretzels.

Looking for other amazing dips to dip your pretzels in? Check these out!

Peanut butter cup dip
Spinach Artichoke dip
French Onion Dip
S’mores Dip
Bacon Ranch Crack Dip

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Tips for making homemade soft pretzels

Use a stand mixer! I use my KitchenAid Mixerwhen making these Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Bites Copycat, really I use my mixer for just about everything I do in the kitchen, if there is a use for it then I am using it! But it really does make it easier when making the pretzel dough. This is the mixer I have and not only is it awesome for when I need to mix things, or anything I am doing they come in a large variety of colors so you can easily match your kitchen.

Use Measuring cups. I find that when warming the milk is a lot easier to do when I use my pyrex measuring cups and then pour it into the mixing bowl. I have a smaller microwave so large bowls don’t fit and since I use my KitchenAid to mix it all that bowl is metal and well it really is a bad idea to stick metal in the microwave.

Melted Butter is a MUST! I learned that a BIG part of making Auntie Anne pretzels at home is getting the butter and doing it the same way they do. When the pretzels are hot out of the oven the get a nice bath in melted butter!

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How to store leftover soft pretzel bites

If for some reason you have leftovers you can store them in an air tight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.

Can you Freeze soft pretzel bites?

Yes. If you have leftover pretzel bites you can store them in the freezer to enjoy later.

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How to Freeze Pretzel Bites

Allow the pretzel bites to cool completely and then put them on a baking sheet and place the baking sheet in the freezer. Once the pretzels are frozen, remove them from the baking sheet and place them in an airtight container or in to zipclose bags. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to reheat Frozen soft pretzels

You do not need to reheat the pretzels unless you want to. You can remove them from the freezer and place on a tray and allow to thaw at room temperature for about an hour. If you want to reheat them, once they are thawed place in the oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes.

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Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites Ingredients

milk
active dry yeast
brown sugar
butter
flour
fine salt
baking soda
warm water
Coarse Salt

How to Make Homemade Pretzels

Warm up the milk in the microwave for just about one and a half minutes. I use my pyrex measuring cups to heat it in. It should be about 110º. If it’s too hot it will kill the yeast. You should be able to comfortably keep your finger in it.

Stir in the yeast and one tablespoon of the brown sugar and let it sit for about 10 minutes.

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Now grab a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer and pour the yeast mixture into the bowl.

Add 4 tablespoons of melted butter and remaining brown sugar.

Baking Supplies

Love to bake? Here are some of our favorite tools to make it easier!

Homemade Pretzels – Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Bites Copycat Recipe

Created by Lauren

Ingredients

2 cups milk
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast 2 packets
6 tablespoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons butter melted
5 to 5 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons salt
1/3 cup baking soda
3 cups warm water
Coarse salt
8 tablespoons butter melted

Instructions

Warm up the milk in the microwave for just about one and a half minutes. I use my pyrex measuring cups to heat it in. It should be about 110º. If it’s too hot it will kill the yeast. You should be able to comfortably keep your finger in it.
Stir in the yeast and one tablespoon of the brown sugar and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
Now grab a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer and pour the mixture in it.
Add 4 tablespoons of butter and the remaining brown sugar.
Add the flour about 1 cup at a time and then add the fine salt.
Knead for about 10 minutes with a stand mixer or by hand.
Put it in a greased bowl and cover with greased cling wrap.
Let rise for 1 hour in a moist, warm place until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 450º.
Punch down dough and divide into 12-14 lumps.
Roll each piece with your hands to form a rope as thin as you can.
Combine the warm water and baking soda in a wide bowl.
Cut the dough into 1 1/2″ pieces, then dip in the baking soda water.
Place on a greased baking sheet and sprinkle with coarse salt.
Bake for about 6-10 minutes or until browned.
Melt the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter in a microwave safe bowl right after removing the pretzel bites from the oven. Dip each homemade pretzel in the melted 8 tablespoons of butter while hot.

homemade pretzels, pretzel bites, soft pretzels

Snack

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This homemade soft pretzel bites recipe are a great snack to have on hand when the kids get home from school or to have as a family movie night snack!

Looking for more snack recipes? Check these out!

BBQ Bacon Lil’ Weenies
Easy Layered Taco Dip
Baked BBQ Chicken Wings
Chicken Bacon Ranch Cheese Fries
Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

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BEST Homemade soft pretzel bite recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient which makes a pretzel taste like a pretzel? ›

Pretzels are dipped in food-grade lye before baking. It gives them a characteristic shine and flavor.

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What makes a soft pretzel taste like a pretzel? ›

The answer lies in a brief dip in an alkaline water bath before baking. This bath essentially gelatinizes the outside of the pretzel, preventing it from fully “springing” during baking (as bread does) and giving pretzels their signature chewy crust. It also gives them their unique and indelible “pretzel” flavor.

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What are the ingredients in super pretzel soft bites? ›

Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Yeast, Corn Syrup, Bicarbonates and Carbonates of Soda, Salt Packet: Salt.

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How do you get salt to stick to pretzel bites? ›

Lightly spray (mist) the tops of the pretzels with cool water from a distance of at least at least 18”. You don't want to soak the skin, just moisten it. LIGHTLY Sprinkle the Pretzel Salt provided to have a small amount on each pretzel. You can re-use any salt that falls off onto the sheetpan after your baking process.

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What's the difference between a pretzel and a soft pretzel? ›

Soft pretzels can usually be baked in 15 minutes; hard pretzels, meanwhile, must be baked for up to an hour. The longer baking time further dries out the pretzel. And, as we have discussed, the lack of moisture is what gives the hard pretzel its brittle texture.

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What gives soft pretzels their flavor? ›

What Gives Pretzels Their Pretzel Flavor? You have baking soda to thank for that distinct pretzel flavor. Baking soda is highly alkaline and imparts that subtly metallic taste onto the dough before your pretzels go into the oven. Some recipes call for a lye bath, which does the same thing.

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What is the secret ingredient in pretzels? ›

Traditional Bavarian pretzels are dipped in a lye solution before they are baked. Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide, is essentially the same stuff that's used to make soap and clean drains. It can even dissolve glass.

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What is the best flour for pretzels? ›

Bread flour is best used for, you guessed it, breads. This is fine for pretzels, but if you don't plan to make that much bread, buying bread flour for just one thing can seem like a waste. All-purpose flour can be used for a wide variety of baked goods, including cookies, muffins, pie crusts, and breads.

Are soft pretzel bites healthy? ›

Soft pretzels and flavored pretzels are usually higher in calories, salt, sugar, and fat than hard pretzels, so you may want to limit your intake of those varieties.

Are soft pretzels junk food? ›

Pretzels may be better than some fatty chips, but four out of five nutrition experts surveyed by Time say if you're trying to eat healthy, pretzels shouldn't be your go-to snack. Although pretzels are low-fat, they are also pretty paltry on the protein and fiber front, and they can be quite high in sodium and carbs.

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Are soft pretzels good for your teeth? ›

Most troubling for teeth is that soft pretzels contain a whopping 779 mgs of sodium; while they might not directly cause cavities, the excess sodium can weaken the internal tissues by increasing an unhealthy amount of calcium in the body, which can potentially lead to later risk for osteoporosis and tooth loss.

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What is the best salt for homemade soft pretzels? ›

Ideally, you would use pretzel salt when making pretzels. But this type of salt is not always easy to find in the store. That's why many people turn to kosher salt instead. And indeed, these two types of salt have a lot in common.

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What kind of salt do they use on soft pretzels? ›

WHITE PRETZEL COARSE SALT. An intensely white and clean salt that provides visual and textural appeal to soft pretzels, breadsticks and other topical applications as well as seasonings and rubs.

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What salt do you put on homemade pretzels? ›

Fine sea salt – This is for the dough. Pretzel salt – This is for sprinkling on the pretzels before baking. I'd highly recommend ordering the pretzel salt for the most impressive pretzels possible and best flavor. If that's not an option, use coarse sea salt instead.

What is the Flavouring on pretzels? ›

Salt is the most common seasoning, or topping, for pretzels, complementing the washing soda or lye treatment that gives pretzels their traditional skin and flavor acquired through the Maillard reaction. Other toppings are mustard, cheeses, sugar, chocolate, cinnamon, sweet glazing, seeds, and nuts.

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What is the chemical dip on pretzels? ›

The dipping stage normally takes just 10-15 seconds of exposure to the hot alkaline solution which is about 200°F. Traditionally the solution was a mixture of sodium hydroxide and water. Today, most production involves the use of sodium carbonate and bicarbonate solutions which are not as caustic as NaOH.

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What is the secret solution for Auntie Anne's pretzels? ›

Brown Sugar- brown sugar is what Auntie Anne's pretzels, use for their pretzel dough. Salt- use good quality sea salt. Baking powder- works as a dough conditioner for these soft homemade pretzels. Basic Alkaline wash- is a simple baking soda and water solution made for dipping pretzels in.

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