Pretzel Bites

It’s pretzel day! Pretzels are easy to make, but hard to shape. This recipe gives you the best of both worlds!

Yield: 8

Author: don't eat THE PLATE (www.donteattheplate.com)

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Pretzel Bites

Soft pretzels are easy to make but can be difficult to properly shape. These pretzel bites take the stress out of the shaping. They're simple to make and great for a crowd! You can flavor them in different ways (like cinnamon sugar or garlic ranch) or serve with a honey mustard or cheese sauce to dip in. The secret to their signature chewy exterior is the brief plunge in water with baking soda.

Ingredients

Pretzels

• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
• 3 Tbsp (36 g) brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 3/4 tsp fine salt
• 4 1/4 (540 g) all purpose flour
• kosher salt for sprinkling on pretzels (optional)

For Water Bath

• 4 quarts water
• 1/4 cup baking soda

Instructions

To Make the Dough

1. Combine all of the dough ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Mix on medium speed until combined.
2. Reduce speed to low and knead for 7-10 minutes. Dough should be smooth and elastic.
3. Place dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise until about doubled in size, approximately one hour.

To Shape the Pretzels

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Farenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
2. Place the dough on a clean work surface and use a bench cutter to divide it into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece against the surface, lengthening out into a log about 20 inches long. Add flour to work surface if needed.
3. Using bench cutter, cut each log into about 12 pieces (approximately 1 1/2 inches each).

Give Them a Bath!

1. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot and add in the baking soda, stirring with a spoon to help it dissolve.
2. Add the pretzel bites to the water about 10-20 at a time. Allow them to cook for no more than 30 seconds. Remove using a slotted spoon or skimmer spoon. Place them on the prepared baking sheets. If desired, sprinkle with kosher salt.

Bake

1. Bake the pretzels for 12 - 15 minutes. If you bake both trays at once, be sure to rotate them halfway through in order to be sure they bake evenly. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from tray.