Artificial Food Coloring Free Snackable Soft Pretzel Bites
Soft pretzel bites are one of those snacks that feel almost impossible to replicate at home, but this from-scratch version absolutely nails that chewy, golden, salty magic. The ingredient list is refreshingly short and straightforward — just flour, yeast, butter, salt, and water — so there's no need to decode a label or wonder what's hiding in a store-bought bag. That deep mahogany color you see on the finished bites comes entirely from the baking soda bath, a classic technique that gives pretzels their signature crust and flavor without any dyes or additives whatsoever. Brushed with melted butter straight out of the oven and hit with a generous pinch of coarse salt, these little bites are genuinely hard to stop eating. They're perfect for game day, after-school snacking, or honestly just a Tuesday when you want something warm and satisfying. The whole process is approachable even if you're new to working with yeast dough, and the payoff — a pile of pillowy, bakery-worthy bites — is absolutely worth it.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the dough
- 1 ½ tsp active dry yeast
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup warm water (110°f / 43°c)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For the baking soda bath
- 8 cups water
- ⅓ cup baking soda
For finishing
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ tsp coarse pretzel salt or flaky sea salt
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, stir together the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5–7 minutes, until foamy and fragrant.
- 2
Add the melted butter (from the dough portion), fine salt, and flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5–6 minutes, until the dough is smooth, slightly tacky, and springs back slowly when poked.
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