Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

$- 1 ½ cups warm water (around 110°F or 43°C) - 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet) - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for the dough) - 1 teaspoon salt - 4 cups all-purpose flour - ½ teaspoon baking soda (for boiling) - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (for brushing) - ½ cup granulated sugar (for coating) - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon - Coarse sea salt (for final sprinkle) To make these tasty cinnamon sugar pretzel bites, you need simple, fresh ingredients. First, warm water activates the yeast. This crucial step helps the dough rise. Next, granulated sugar adds a touch of sweetness. Salt balances the flavors, while all-purpose flour gives structure. Baking soda plays a vital role in the boiling step. It gives pretzels their classic chewy texture. Unsalted butter brushed on top adds richness, while cinnamon sugar creates that sweet, irresistible coating. The coarse sea salt at the end enhances the flavor and adds a nice crunch. - Dipping sauces: melted butter, cream cheese - Additional toppings or flavorings You can customize your pretzel bites with fun dips. Melted butter makes a rich dip. Cream cheese adds a creamy twist. Feel free to add other toppings too, like chocolate or nuts, to make them your own! To start, you need to activate the yeast. In a large bowl, mix together: - 1 ½ cups warm water (around 110°F or 43°C) - 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet) - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar Let this sit for about 5 minutes. You want it frothy and bubbly. This shows the yeast is alive and ready to help your dough rise. Next, add in the salt and flour. Mix in: - 4 cups all-purpose flour Do this one cup at a time. Use a wooden spoon or a dough hook if you have one. Mix until the dough pulls away from the bowl and forms a ball. Now, knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes. You want it smooth and elastic. Form it into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover it with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour. It should double in size. Once the dough has risen, it’s time to shape the pretzel bites. Gently punch the dough down to release the air bubbles. Turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll it into a long rope about 1 inch thick. Cut it into bite-sized pieces, each about 1 inch wide. Now, prepare to boil. In a medium saucepan, bring 10 cups of water to a rolling boil. Carefully add: - ½ teaspoon baking soda Be careful, as it may bubble up. Once the water is ready, drop the pretzel bites in batches. Boil each for about 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place them on a prepared baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). While it heats, brush the tops of the boiled pretzel bites with melted butter and sprinkle them with: - ½ cup granulated sugar - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon Add a light sprinkle of coarse sea salt for more flavor. Bake the bites for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown and puffed up. Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving. I love to serve them warm in a rustic basket lined with parchment paper. You can add small bowls of melted butter or cream cheese for dipping. They make a perfect snack or appetizer! To get that soft and chewy texture, knead your dough well. Knead it for about 5 minutes. It should feel smooth and elastic when done. If it’s too sticky, add a little flour. If it’s too dry, add a bit of water. Boiling the pretzels is very important. This step helps create that classic pretzel crust. When you boil them in water with baking soda, they puff up nicely. Boil them for about 30 seconds. This makes all the difference for the final texture. Balancing the sugar and cinnamon is key. Use ½ cup of sugar mixed with 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. This ratio gives a sweet and spicy flavor. You can adjust it slightly, but this mix works well. Timing also matters for coating. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar right after brushing the pretzels with butter. This helps the sugar stick better. If you wait too long, the sugar won’t adhere as well. Enjoy those warm bites fresh out of the oven! {{image_4}} You can have fun with flavor! Why not try pumpkin spice? Just add pumpkin pie spice to the dough. This gives a nice fall twist. You could also make chocolate pretzel bites! Simply add cocoa powder to the dough. If you want something savory, think outside the box. Try adding herbs like rosemary or garlic powder. This will give your pretzel bites a unique taste. Savory pretzels pair well with cheese dips or marinara sauce. Presentation is key! Serve your cinnamon sugar pretzel bites in a rustic basket. Line the basket with parchment paper for a nice touch. You can also include small bowls of melted butter or cream cheese. These dips add a rich flavor and fun to your snack time. Try creative plating ideas too! Arrange the bites in a circle with dips in the center. This makes it easy for guests to reach for more. You could even sprinkle some extra cinnamon sugar on top for visual appeal. Enjoy experimenting with your serving style! To keep your leftover pretzel bites fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps them stay soft and tasty. You can also wrap them in plastic wrap. If you want to keep them longer, place them in the fridge. For best results, eat them within two days. Reheating pretzel bites is easy. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bites on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 5 to 7 minutes. This keeps them warm and crispy. You can also use a microwave. Heat them for 15 to 20 seconds, but they might get soft. For the best texture, stick with the oven. Enjoy your snack! Yes, you can freeze cinnamon sugar pretzel bites. First, let them cool completely. Then, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour. After that, transfer them to an airtight bag or container. They will keep well for up to three months. To thaw, simply remove them from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature. You can also reheat them in the oven for a few minutes to regain that fresh-baked taste. Cinnamon sugar pretzel bites shine at any gathering. Serve them warm in a rustic basket lined with parchment paper. Add small bowls of melted butter or cream cheese for dipping. They are perfect for parties, game days, or family movie nights. You can also include a sweet dipping sauce like chocolate or caramel for extra fun. To make gluten-free pretzel bites, use a gluten-free flour blend. Look for blends that substitute for all-purpose flour. You can also add a bit of xanthan gum to help with the texture. Be sure to check that your baking soda and other ingredients are gluten-free too. This swap keeps the taste delicious while catering to dietary needs. You can find the full recipe for cinnamon sugar pretzel bites earlier in this article. It includes all the steps from mixing the dough to baking and serving. This recipe makes about 24 bites, perfect for sharing or enjoying on your own! Making pretzel bites is fun and rewarding. We covered the key ingredients and steps, from activating yeast to shaping and boiling. You learned tips for getting the best texture and tasty variations. It's easy to store and reheat leftover pretzels, too. In the end, enjoy these snacks however you like. Get creative with dips and toppings! With practice, you'll master the art of pretzel making. Enjoy your baking journey and share these treats with family and friends!$

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

Indulge in the deliciousness of homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites! This easy recipe will guide you through the steps to create soft, warm pretzel bites coated in sweet cinnamon sugar. Perfect for snacking or sharing at gatherings, these bites are sure to impress.

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Ingredients

1 ½ cups warm water (around 110°F or 43°C)

2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)

2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for the dough)

1 teaspoon salt

4 cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda (for boiling)

¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

½ cup granulated sugar (for coating)

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Coarse sea salt (for final sprinkle)

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the warm water, active dry yeast, and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Allow this mixture to sit for about 5 minutes, until it becomes frothy and bubbly, indicating that the yeast is active.

Gradually add the salt and 4 cups of flour, one cup at a time, using either a wooden spoon or a dough hook on a stand mixer. Mix until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl and forms a cohesive ball.

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until it is smooth and elastic. Form the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, covering it with a damp cloth. Allow the dough to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

In a medium saucepan, bring 10 cups of water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the baking soda, taking caution as the mixture may bubble up.

Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down to release any air bubbles, and turn it out onto a floured surface. Roll the dough into a long rope, approximately 1 inch thick. Cut the rope into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch each.

Carefully drop the pretzel bites into the boiling baking soda water, working in batches if necessary. Boil them for about 30 seconds, then remove them using a slotted spoon and place them onto the prepared baking sheet.

Brush the tops of the boiled pretzel bites with melted butter, then generously sprinkle them with the cinnamon-sugar mixture (½ cup sugar mixed with 2 teaspoons cinnamon), followed by a light sprinkle of coarse sea salt for an extra burst of flavor.

Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the bites are golden brown and puffed up.

Once baked, let the pretzel bites cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving. Enjoy them warm for the best experience!

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes | Servings: 24 pretzel bites

- Presentation Tips: Serve the pretzel bites warm in a rustic basket lined with parchment paper, alongside small bowls of melted butter or cream cheese for dipping. They make for a delightful snack or appetizer!