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- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F to 115°F) - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar - 1 packet active dry yeast - 4 cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/4 cup baking soda - 1 large egg (for egg wash) - 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted) - 1 cup granulated sugar (for coating) - 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon To make cinnamon sugar pretzel bites, you need simple ingredients. First, warm water activates the yeast. Use 1 1/2 cups. Add 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar to help the yeast grow. You’ll need one packet of active dry yeast, which is about 2 1/4 teaspoons. Next, for the dough, you’ll use 4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of salt for flavor. To create the signature pretzel taste, we need a baking soda bath. This requires 1/4 cup of baking soda mixed with boiling water. For the finishing touch, we have an egg wash made with one large beaten egg. This gives the pretzel bites a shiny look. Don’t forget the cinnamon sugar coating! You’ll need 1 cup of granulated sugar mixed with 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon. These ingredients work together to create a delightful snack. Each element plays a role in making your pretzel bites soft, fluffy, and sweet. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, grab a large mixing bowl. Combine 1 1/2 cups of warm water and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. The water should be between 110°F to 115°F. Sprinkle 1 packet of active dry yeast on top. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. If the yeast foams up, it is active and ready. Next, add 4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of salt to the yeast mixture. Stir the mixture until a dough begins to form. Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Knead for about 5 minutes until the dough feels smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl. Cover it with a kitchen towel. Put it in a warm area for about 1 hour. The dough should double in size during this first rise. While the dough rises, prepare the baking soda bath. In a large pot, boil about 4 cups of water. Once boiling, carefully stir in 1/4 cup of baking soda. Be cautious, as this will foam up quickly. After the dough has risen, punch it down. Turn it out onto a floured surface and roll it into a log. Cut the log into small pieces, about 1 inch each. Drop the pretzel bites into the boiling soda bath. Boil each side for about 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place them on a lined baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Brush the tops of the pretzel bites with a beaten egg for a shiny finish. Bake them for 12-15 minutes until they turn golden brown. While they bake, mix 1 cup of granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon in a bowl. Once the bites are out of the oven and warm, toss them in melted butter. Finally, coat them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully covered. To make great pretzel bites, focus on your dough. Well-kneaded dough feels smooth and elastic. You should see it spring back when you poke it. Knead for about five minutes until it's soft. The boiling step is very important. It gives pretzels that shiny, chewy crust. Boil the bites for about 30 seconds on each side. This helps them puff up nicely when baking. To keep your pretzel bites fresh, store them in an airtight container. They can last up to three days at room temperature. For longer storage, refrigerate them. Wrap them tightly before placing them in the fridge. To reheat, just pop them in the oven. Set it to 350°F and heat for about 5-10 minutes. This will make them warm and soft again. If your dough does not rise, check the yeast. It might not be activated. Make sure the water is warm enough, around 110°F to 115°F. If it’s too hot, it can kill the yeast. For overcooked or undercooked bites, keep an eye on the baking time. They should turn golden brown in 12-15 minutes. Adjust your oven temperature if needed. A dark pan can cook them faster, so watch closely! Pro Tips Perfect Temperature: Ensure your water is at 110°F to 115°F to effectively activate the yeast for the best rise. Kneading Technique: Knead the dough until it's smooth and elastic; this helps develop gluten, giving your pretzel bites the perfect chewiness. Boiling Bath: Don’t skip the baking soda bath! It gives the pretzel bites their distinct flavor and shiny crust. Coating While Warm: Toss the pretzel bites in cinnamon sugar immediately after baking while they're still warm for better adherence of the coating. {{image_2}} You can make your pretzel bites even more fun by adding flavor. Try mixing in chocolate chips or nuts for a crunchy twist. Chopped pecans or walnuts can add a nice texture. If you love spice, consider adding a bit of cayenne for a kick. Just fold in your chosen add-ins while mixing the dough. This simple step makes the bites special and unique. While cinnamon sugar is classic, you can switch things up with different coatings. Powdered sugar offers a sweet, light touch. For a richer flavor, drizzle vanilla icing over the warm bites. You can even try a mix of cocoa powder and sugar for a chocolatey twist. Get creative! These changes keep each batch exciting and fresh. You don't have to stick to sweet flavors. You can make savory pretzel bites, too. Add cheese to the dough for a gooey delight. Herbs like rosemary or garlic powder can give a nice aroma. To make these bites more savory, just mix in your favorite cheese before shaping. These savory variations are perfect for parties or as a snack while watching a movie. To keep your cinnamon sugar pretzel bites fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps prevent them from drying out. Place a paper towel in the container to absorb moisture. They will last in the fridge for about 3 days. After that, they might lose their lovely texture and taste. You can freeze the pretzel bites for later use. First, let them cool completely. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze for about 1 hour until firm. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They can stay in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave them in the fridge overnight. When reheating, you want to keep them soft and chewy. The best method is to use the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the pretzel bites on a baking sheet and cover them with foil. Heat for about 10 minutes. This keeps the moisture in. Alternatively, you can use a microwave. Just heat them for 10-15 seconds. Enjoy the warm, gooey goodness! To check if your yeast is active, you need to look for foam. Mix warm water with sugar and sprinkle yeast on top. Let it sit for about five minutes. If the mixture is bubbly and foamy, your yeast is alive! If not, you might need new yeast. Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time. After mixing your dough, let it rise for one hour. Once it has doubled in size, punch it down and shape it. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap. Place it in the fridge for up to two days. When ready, let it warm up before boiling. If you don’t have baking soda, you can use baking powder. Use about three times more baking powder than baking soda. Mix it with the water for the bath, but remember, the texture may change slightly. Another option is to skip the bath, but the pretzel bites won't have that classic pretzel taste. You now have all the tools to make delicious pretzel bites. We covered the key ingredients, helpful equipment, and each step from start to finish. Remember to activate your yeast correctly and monitor your dough’s texture. With a few tips, you can avoid common issues. Don’t hesitate to try flavor variations or different coatings to enjoy these bites. Follow the storage tips for the best taste. Dive into the fun of making pretzel bites and enjoy every bite!

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

Delicious bite-sized pretzels coated in cinnamon sugar, perfect for snacking.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups warm water (110°F to 115°F)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
  • Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough begins to form and then knead on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
  • In a large pot, bring about 4 cups of water to a boil, then stir in the baking soda (be careful, it will foam up).
  • Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it into a log and cut it into small pieces (about 1-inch each).
  • Carefully drop the pretzel bites into the boiling soda bath, cooking for about 30 seconds on each side. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a lined baking sheet.
  • Brush the tops of the pretzel bites with the beaten egg for a glossy finish.
  • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake the pretzel bites for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • While the pretzels are baking, mix the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a bowl.
  • Once out of the oven and still warm, toss the pretzel bites in melted butter, then coat them in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully covered.

Notes

Serve warm with chocolate or caramel sauce for dipping.
Keyword cinnamon sugar, pretzel, snack