Description
Quick homemade pretzel bites combine golden-brown German-style snacks with irresistible cheese dip. Salt sprinkles and buttery edges make these morsels perfect companions for your next gathering or movie night.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (710 ml) all-purpose flour
- 1.125 cups (266 ml) warm water
- 1.5 teaspoons (7.5 ml) instant yeast
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) brown sugar
- 2 quarts (1.89 liters) hot water
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) baking soda
- 1 large egg, beaten
- coarse salt, to taste
- melted butter, for brushing
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: Merge warm water, flour, brown sugar, and instant yeast in a bread machine, strategically layering ingredients to prevent yeast and water direct contact.
- Machine Cycle: Engage the bread machine’s dough cycle, allowing automated kneading and rising process to develop a soft, elastic dough.
- Shaping Process: Transfer the developed dough onto a lightly floured surface, dividing it into uniform, bite-sized sections and rolling each into compact, smooth spheres.
- Initial Proofing: Arrange the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet with minimal spacing, allowing a brief 10-15 minute secondary rise to enhance volume and texture.
- Baking Soda Treatment: Create a signature pretzel bath by dissolving baking soda in hot water, then meticulously dip each dough ball to ensure complete coverage and develop characteristic flavor profile.
- Seasoning and Baking: Sprinkle coarse sea salt over the moistened dough, then transfer to a preheated oven and bake until achieving a rich, golden-brown exterior with a crisp texture.
- Serving: Remove from oven and allow a brief cooling period, serving warm to maximize flavor and enjoyment of the freshly baked pretzel bites.
Notes
- Layering Ingredients Carefully: Prevent direct contact between yeast and water in the bread machine to ensure proper activation and prevent premature yeast breakdown.
- Dough Consistency Check: Look for a soft, elastic dough that springs back when touched, indicating proper kneading and gluten development.
- Baking Soda Bath Technique: The alkaline solution is crucial for creating the signature pretzel flavor and achieving the classic golden-brown exterior with a crispy crust.
- Salt Application Tip: Sprinkle coarse sea salt immediately after the baking soda dip to ensure maximum flavor adherence and authentic pretzel appearance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg