Game Day Pretzel Bites

I have made soft pretzels before, but with it being a self-imposed "lazy Sunday", I didn't want to take a lot of time shaping them.  This recipe was exactly what I was looking for (why didn't I think to just do this to begin with?? and next time I might even stick with soft pretzel sticks like you can get in the mall) and aside from the rise time, they were really quick to make! 

These were a great snack while watching the Super Bowl!  I didn't make the cheese sauce to go with them, but I did warm up some cream cheese to use as a dipping sauce and had mustard to dip in as well.


Soft Pretzel Bites
Recipe courtesy of Two Peas and Their Pod
which they adapted from Bobby Flay

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 c. warm water
• 2 tbs. light brown sugar
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 3 oz. unsalted butter, melted
• 2 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 4 1/2 to 5 c. all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil
• 3 qt. water
• 3/4 c. baking soda
• 1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tbs. cold water
• Coarse sea salt

Directions

• Combine the water, sugar, yeast, & butter in the bowl of a stand mixer & mix with the dough hook until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.
• Add the salt and flour & mix on low speed until combined. 
• Increase the speed to medium & continue kneading until the dough is smooth, about 3-4 minutes. 
• If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour, 1 tbs. at a time. 
• Remove the dough from the bowl, knead into a ball with your hands.
• Oil a bowl with vegetable oil, add the dough, turning to coat. 
• Cover with a clean towel & place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size (1 hour.)
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Bring the water to a boil in a small roasting pan over high heat & add the baking soda carefully!!  (It bubbles up on you, so I added it in small increments at a time).
• Remove the dough from the bowl & place on a flat surface. 
• Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.
• Roll each piece into a long rope measuring 22 inches. 
• Cut the dough into 1-inch pieces to make the pretzel bites. 
• Boil the pretzel bites in the water solution in batches.
• Boil for about 30 seconds. 
• Remove with a large slotted spoon. Place pretzel bites on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with a Silpat, ensuring they are not touching.  
• Brush the tops with the egg wash & sprinkle with the salt. 
• Place into the oven & bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown.
• Remove to a baking rack & let cool 5 minutes.  Dig in!