For those unaware, we in the Moore household are big fans of good food. Okay, that’s a lie. We’re just big fans of food. All the foods. But good foods are better, right? Anyway, in the throes of our quarantine last week, I emotionally baked my way through each day and decided to try my hand at a cinnamon sugar pretzel bites recipe. I made these pretzel knots a few months back, and they were divine, and I have a sneaking suspicion that everything is better in bite-sized form, so I decided to give it a go. Let me tell you; not only is this recipe easy as heck, but it is a massive crowd-pleaser, so we have it on heavy rotation now. Want to try them for yourself?

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites Recipe

When push comes to shove, I will always opt for an easy recipe over a hard recipe, and as much as I love a good baking project, I hate waiting for dough to rise. The beauty of this cinnamon sugar pretzel bites recipe is that you really don’t have to wait long at all. Once your yeast has activated and your dough is mixed, you give it a little rest and then you dive into the real work, which is actually pretty easy, too. With just around 10 ingredients, it’s an ultra-easy (and delicious) treat you’ll all love.

Homemade Pretzel Bite Ingredients

This recipe breaks up into two easy parts. For the pretzels, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 1/2 teaspoons of yeast
• 1 tsp coarse sea salt
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 3/4 cups all purpose flour (plus more to dust your work surface)
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp softened unsalted butter

For the cinnamon sugar coating, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 3/4 white sugar
• 2 tbsp cinnamon
• 3/4 cup melted butter

Start to finish, this whole recipe took about 45 minutes for my kids (and husband) to be treated to the deliciousness that is hot, fresh dough with a dusting of butter and cinnamon sugar, and it was actually as easy as it looks. Awesome, right?

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

1. Gently mix your yeast into the 1 1/2 cups of warm water. You don’t want the water to be too warm, or it will kill the yeast. Let it sit for about five minutes until it gets nice and foamy.
2. To a mixing bowl, add your flour and salt. Using a dough hook, give it a good mix.
3. Once your yeast and water is nice and foamy, add your softened butter and brown sugar until fully combined.
4. Transfer your yeast/butter/sugar mixture to your flour and salt in the mixing bowl and, using the dough hook, mix until your dough is thick and thoroughly incorporated. If your dough is too sticky or tacky, add 1/4 cup of additional flour until it is no longer sticky.
5. Once your dough is no longer sticky, do the poke test. If the dough bounces back to its original shape after being poked, it’s ready!
6. Turn your dough onto a floured surface and knead it into a ball. Place it in a greased bowl, then cover it and leave it in a warm, dark place for up to 30 minutes (I did 15 mins).
7. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Take your primed down and splint into four or five balls, then roll them into long ropes. Cut each rope into 1 or 1 1/2 inch pieces to make the bites.
9. Fill a large pot about 3/4 full (or 9ish) cups of water, and add your baking soda. Bring it to a rolling boil.
10. Using a slotted spoon, drop your pretzel bites into the water + baking soda mixture and let them boil for about 15 seconds. Then, remove them with the slotted spoon and place them on your parchment paper.
11. Once all your pretzel bites are removed, brush them with your egg wash (egg + water) mixture.
12. Bake your pretzel bites for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
13. While your bites are baking, melt your 3/4 cup of butter, and mix your white sugar and cinnamon together.
14. After removing your pretzel bites from the oven, dip them thoroughly in butter one at a time and roll them in your sugar and cinnamon mixture.
15. Set them aside to cool (but just a little because they’re better warm!) and voila – you’re done!

My kids weren’t aware I was baking these until the incredible smells wafted their way, and then they were all in. We had about 30 pretzel bites from this mixture, and they were all devoured within the hour. Technically, your pretzel bites will remain fresh for a few days in an airtight container, but that light, soft, and fluffy texture will be lost over time. Basically, eat them all, and eat them fast!

Tell me – have you ever made pretzel bites?