Description
Easy, festive soft pretzel bites brushed with addictive cinnamon sugar butter. Ready in under 45 minutes with simple ingredients, these bite-sized treats are perfect for parties, movie nights, or autumn gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (105-110°F)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter (for cinnamon sugar butter)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for cinnamon sugar butter)
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt (for cinnamon sugar butter)
- Coarse sea salt or pretzel salt (for sprinkling, optional)
- Extra cinnamon sugar for dusting (1 tbsp sugar + ½ tsp cinnamon)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water and 1 tablespoon sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and stir gently. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Mix the dough: Add melted butter and 1 ½ teaspoons salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually add flour. Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding more flour or water as needed to achieve a soft, slightly tacky dough.
- First rise: Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 30-45 minutes until doubled in size.
- Shape the bites: Punch down dough and divide into 4-6 pieces. Roll each into a 12-inch rope and cut into 1-inch pieces. Roll into balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Second rise: Cover shaped pretzels and let rise for 15 minutes until puffy.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake pretzels for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Rotate pans halfway through.
- Prepare cinnamon sugar butter: While pretzels bake, melt ½ cup butter and stir in ¼ cup sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon salt until smooth.
- Finish: Immediately brush hot pretzels with cinnamon sugar butter. Roll in extra cinnamon sugar if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
Ensure water is warm (105-110°F) but not hot to avoid killing the yeast. Kneading is crucial for texture. Use parchment paper to prevent sticking. For best results, serve immediately while warm. Can be made ahead by rising dough in the fridge overnight.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10 bites
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: Oktoberfest, soft pretzel bites, cinnamon sugar butter, fall snacks, party appetizers, easy baking, homemade pretzels, festive recipes