If you’re craving a warm, salty, melt-in-your-mouth treat, these Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites are about to become your new go-to snack. Perfectly golden, pillowy on the inside, and brushed with rich melted butter, they’re everything you love about soft pretzels—but even easier to make and even easier to eat by the handful. Whether you’re hosting friends, need a party appetizer, want a fun after-school snack, or simply love homemade pretzel bites, this recipe guarantees bakery-level results right at home.

These pretzel bites are surprisingly simple. With a soft dough, a quick baking soda bath, and a buttery finish, you’ll have a batch of irresistible, bite-sized perfection ready for dipping in cheese sauce, mustard, or even something sweet. If you’ve ever wanted a foolproof soft pretzel recipe, this is the one that delivers every single time.

⭐ Why You’ll Love These Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites

These pretzel bites are:

• Soft, chewy, and buttery—just like classic mall-style soft pretzels.

• Beginner-friendly, perfect for anyone new to making dough.

• Customizable with toppings like cinnamon sugar, garlic Parmesan, or everything seasoning.

• Crowd-pleasing—great for kids, parties, game day, or movie nights.

• Fast to make, especially compared to full-size pretzels.

If you already love soft pretzels, this recipe gives you that same nostalgic flavor but in adorable, poppable bites that bake in minutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here are the simple staple ingredients that make these Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites soft, chewy, and rich:

For the dough:

• 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F / 43°C)

• 1 tbsp granulated sugar

• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)

• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 tbsp melted butter

For the baking soda bath:

• 10 cups water

• ½ cup baking soda

For topping:

• 4 tbsp melted butter (for brushing)

• Coarse pretzel salt or flaky sea salt

How to Make Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites

Follow these simple steps for perfect pretzel bites every time:

1. Activate the yeast

In a large bowl, whisk together warm water, yeast, and sugar. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes, until the mixture becomes foamy. This tells you the yeast is alive and ready.

2. Mix the dough

Add flour, salt, and melted butter to the bowl. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead for 3–5 minutes, until smooth and elastic. The dough should be soft but not sticky.

3. Let the dough rest

Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rise for 20–30 minutes. It doesn’t need a full proof—just enough to relax and puff slightly.

4. Shape into pretzel bites

Divide the dough into 4 equal portions. Roll each into a long rope and cut into 1-inch pieces. You should get about 40–50 bites.

5. Boil with baking soda

Bring water and baking soda to a strong boil. Working in batches, boil the pretzel bites for 30 seconds. This step creates that classic golden crust and chewy texture.

6. Bake

Place the boiled bites onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12–15 minutes, or until deep golden brown.

7. Butter and salt

Brush the hot pretzel bites generously with melted butter and sprinkle immediately with pretzel salt. Enjoy warm!

Flavor Variations You’ll Love

These homemade pretzel bites are delicious as is, but even better with fun twists:

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

Toss warm bites in melted butter, then coat in cinnamon-sugar. Perfect with cream cheese dip.

Garlic Parmesan Pretzel Bites

Brush with garlic butter and sprinkle with grated Parmesan.

Everything Seasoning Pretzel Bites

Skip the salt and coat with everything bagel seasoning before baking.

Spicy Cheddar Pretzel Bites

Sprinkle cheddar and crushed chili flakes on top.

These bite-size snacks adapt to any mood—sweet, savory, cheesy, or spicy.

Best Dips for Pretzel Bites

Pair your Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites with:

• Warm cheddar cheese sauce

• Honey mustard

• Garlic butter dip

• Ranch

• Nutella (for sweet versions)

• Cream cheese frosting (for cinnamon sugar ones)

Pro Tips for Perfect Pretzel Bites

• Measure the water temperature—too hot and it kills the yeast.

• Don’t skip the baking soda bath—that’s the secret to authentic pretzels.

• Use freshly boiled bites—salt sticks better when the dough is warm.

• Brush with LOTS of butter—it enhances softness and flavor.

• Eat them fresh—pretzel bites are best the same day, but can be reheated.

Storage & Reheating

• Store: Keep in an airtight container at room temp up to 2 days.

• Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.

• Freeze: Freeze baked pretzel bites up to 2 months; reheat from frozen.

Final Thoughts

These Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites are everything you want in a comforting homemade snack—warm, golden, and irresistibly soft. With simple pantry ingredients and a quick baking soda bath, you can recreate the nostalgic flavor of traditional soft pretzels right from your kitchen. Whether you enjoy them savory, sweet, cheesy, or plain, this recipe guarantees soft, chewy perfection every single time.

Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites

These Buttery Soft Pretzel Bites are warm, golden, chewy, and brushed with rich melted butter for the perfect snack, appetizer, or party bite. Easy to make with simple ingredients, these bite-sized pretzels are soft on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside, and ideal for dipping in cheese sauce, mustard, or cinnamon sugar. A foolproof soft pretzel recipe everyone will love!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Rise Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Servings 40 pretzel bites

Ingredients

  

• For the Dough
• 1 ½ cups warm water 110°F / 43°C
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast 1 packet
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• For the Baking Soda Bath
• 10 cups water
• ½ cup baking soda
• For Topping
• 4 tbsp melted butter for brushing
• Coarse pretzel salt or flaky sea salt

Instructions

 

• Activate Yeast
• In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
• Make the Dough
• Add flour, salt, and 2 tbsp melted butter. Mix, then knead for 3–5 minutes until smooth.
• Rest the Dough
• Cover and let the dough rest for 20–30 minutes until slightly puffy.
• Shape the Pretzel Bites
• Divide dough into 4 pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope and slice into 1-inch bites.
• Prepare Soda Bath
• Bring 10 cups water + ½ cup baking soda to a boil.
• Boil the Pretzel Bites
• Working in batches, boil each group of bites for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Bake
• Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12–15 minutes, until golden brown.
• Butter & Salt
• Brush hot pretzel bites generously with melted butter. Sprinkle with pretzel salt. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Don’t skip the baking soda bath — it’s what gives pretzels their classic chewy golden crust.

For Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites, toss warm bites in melted butter and roll in cinnamon sugar.

For Garlic Parmesan Pretzel Bites, brush with garlic butter and sprinkle Parmesan.

Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2 days; reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5 minutes.

These freeze well—freeze after baking and warm directly from frozen.