Home Made Pretzels | Pretzel Bites | Pretzel Recipe | The Keenan Cookbook | The Keenan Cookbook (2024)

9 July, 2012

Home Made Pretzels | Pretzel Bites | Pretzel Recipe | The Keenan Cookbook | The Keenan Cookbook (1)

Comments : 25 Posted in : Appetizer on July 9, 2012 by : Chris Tags: appetizer, beer, pretzels

I’m a sucker for soft pretzels. Whenever I’m in NYC I have to get one off a street cart. Last week there was a street fair in town and someone was selling soft pretzels; had to buy some. I love the doughy chew combined with the crunch of the large, coarse salt.

For the longest time our version of home made pretzels was baking some pre-made frozen soft pretzels and calling it a day. Then I tried making my own. They came out ok but were slightly off the mark both in flavor and that classic pretzel golden brown color.

The pretzels you are looking at here though are the real deal. And, FYI, super easy to make. Which, for us, is pretty key as we’re really going to have our arms full when Baby Boy becomes big brother in a few months.

This recipe comes from the food blogFeeding Andy, which I was assigned for this monthsSecret Recipe Club. Run by chef-in-training Peggy and loaded with a bunch of great looking recipes we want to try out (like thisCinnamon Pull Apart Bread). Peggy’s blog is full of mouthwatering photos and really tantalizing yet accessible recipes which make us wonder if she hasn’t completed culinary school already and is presently posing as a student (just kidding!).

I liked these pretzel bites and the accompanying beer cheese dip as is. Rachel found the pretzel bites to be a little too doughy, which could have been because I made the balls too big (mine were golf ball size) or didn’t bake the extra minute or two they needed. When we bake for a party I’m going to do them as logs; easier for baking and party dipping too.

The beer cheese dip I found to be a perfect accompaniment to the pretzel bites, especially as I drank the remainder of the beer used in this recipe. The horseradish gave a little zing to the dip, and the cream cheese and Velveeta were creamy smooth.

We’re hosting a big summer bbq next weekend with a bunch of friends and family. So besides wanting to make these pretzel bites just because I really wanted to have them, I thought I’d give them a test to see if they were party material. They definitely are. And they’ll be made, in bulk, for our little shindig next week. If you’re in NJ stop by, though no promises on how long these will last. 😉

Print

Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese

Ingredients

  • 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 & 1/4 cups warm water
  • 5 cups flour
  • 1/4 cup white sugar, plus 1 teaspoon
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted and divided
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 2 egg whites
  • Kosher or coarse sea salt, for topping
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  1. In a measuring cup dissolve the yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water. Set aside for 10 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the flour, white and brown sugars, and salt. Pour the water/yeast mixture and 2 tablespoons melted butter into the bowl. Knead for 6-8 minutes until the dough is smooth. Add extra water if dough is too dry, until you get your desired texture.
  3. Lightly oil a large bowl. Shape dough into a ball. Place the dough ball in the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to rise for one hour.
  4. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
  5. In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of hot water and baking soda. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg whites and remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter.
  6. After the dough has risen, punch down the dough and then knead with hands for one minute. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and break off small chunks of dough - Roll the chunks into 1 inch diameter balls (I got about 20-25).
  7. Dip the pieces in the baking soda water and place on the baking sheet. Gently drying with a paper towel if they become too wet. Brush each pretzel ball with egg whites/melted butter then sprinkle with kosher salt.
  8. Bake for 7-8 minutes, until browned.

http://thekeenancookbook.com/appetizer/pretzel-bites-with-beer-cheese

Print

Beer Cheese

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup good beer
  • 1 tablespoon horseradish sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup Velveeta, cut into small cubes
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Place cream cheese in a microwave safe bowl and heat for about 30 seconds. Stir until smooth.
  2. Stir in beer, horseradish sauce, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Heat for another 30 seconds in the microwave. Stir until smooth.
  3. Add in Velveeta. Heat another 30 seconds, and stir until cheese is melted and smooth.

http://thekeenancookbook.com/appetizer/pretzel-bites-with-beer-cheese

Recipe from: My Fiance Likes It So It Must Be Good

25s COMMENTS
    • Chris

      July 10, 2012 at 8:37 am

      We really enjoyed looking through your recipes! I really enjoyed this one- Glad you shared 🙂

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    • Chris

      July 10, 2012 at 8:38 am

      Double Chocolate Mousse Cake does sound good- we’ll be over to inspect!

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    • Chris

      July 10, 2012 at 8:38 am

      Pretzels and cheese- what’s not to love?!

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  • July 10, 2012 at 12:24 am

    This cheese sauce with homemade pretzels sounds genius. Soft pretzels have been on my list for awhile, but I have never attempted them. Hope your party goes well. Sure these will be a hit!

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  • July 10, 2012 at 2:02 am

    DROOL! This sounds so good! And congrats on baby #2! 🙂

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  • July 10, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    WOW! These sound so yummy!

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  • July 10, 2012 at 10:21 pm

    Pretzel bites look like the perfect snack and that cheese looks aoutstanding.

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  • Michelle

    November 4, 2012 at 11:00 am

    Dude. These are ridiculous! Recipe worked perfectly on my first try, and I find yeast breads intimidating. I did reduce the amount of beer in the cheese dip to make it a bit thicker. They were devoured in minutes – thanks for sharing!

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    • Chris

      November 4, 2012 at 4:18 pm

      Awesome, so glad you liked!

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  • April 12, 2013 at 10:15 pm

    I made these tonight. I’m not a cook or a baker (not that I can’t, but I just don’t). These turned out AWESOME and taste really good. Thanks for sharing!!

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    • Chris

      April 14, 2013 at 8:00 pm

      That’s great! Glad you liked them!

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  • August 2, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    Hi! Wow.. these look AMAZING! I have a question, can I make them in advance? We are having a beer tasting party and these would be a great appetizer, but it would be easier for me to make the day before! Thanks!

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    • Chris

      August 2, 2013 at 1:55 pm

      Hi Megan! They are quite tasty and I think would be great for your beer tasting party!

      You can definitely make the dough in advance and shape into pretzels the day before. Just put in your fridge. This will probably yield even tastier results as the flavors have time to mature. Then just take out and pop in the oven and follow the remaining steps the day of the party.

      Enjoy!

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  • Angelica Arenas

    October 13, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    I made this dough this weekend and it came out amazing with one exception, the ratio of baking soda to water is off! 1/2 cup to 4 cups of water? My first test batch came out tasting like the box of baking soda. I did 9-10 cups of water to about 1/3 cup of baking soda and they came out perfect!

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    • Chris

      November 2, 2014 at 8:24 pm

      Ooh that first batch sounds awful! Glad you tried again with better results!!

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  • katie

    January 30, 2015 at 6:37 pm

    Wow. I must say that while I was making these I thought something was horribly wrong. My dough wasn’t getting very “smooth” and after it rose it was still quite difficult to roll them into smooth balls but even after all of that they turned out to be the most fantastic pretzel bites I’ve ever had.
    Thanks for sharing! This is definitely going in my recipe box.

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    • Chris

      February 3, 2015 at 7:27 pm

      So glad you enjoyed 🙂

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  • Barbara Gravante

    March 15, 2015 at 6:05 pm

    Want to try your pretzel bites ASAP
    Do you know how I can make a batch ahead of time .
    Would like to prepare them the day before my party .
    Can I freeze the bites after they have baked and cooled and then reheat later.
    Thank you for posting this recipe I must try.

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    • Chris

      March 17, 2015 at 10:12 am

      Hi Barbara

      Hmm…Not sure, we haven’t frozen them before. But I think you should be fine. I think they wont be as good as fresh fresh but should still be fine. Maybe try a small batch ahead of time and test?
      Good luck and let us know!
      Chris

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Home Made Pretzels | Pretzel Bites | Pretzel Recipe | The Keenan Cookbook | The Keenan Cookbook (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient which makes a pretzel taste like a pretzel? ›

On the one hand, lye gives pretzels their distinctive flavor, kind of a sharp flatness, if that makes sense. It's what keeps a pretzel from tasting like pretzel-shaped bread. On the other hand, lye is ridiculously dangerous. It will burn you if it gets on your skin and blind you if it gets in your eyes.

How do you cook super pretzel bites? ›

Microwave on HIGH as suggested below until warm. Cooking Times (Due to differences in ovens heating instructions may need to be adjusted). Number of Bites: Microwave: 1 serving (3 bites): 30-40 seconds; 2 servings (6 bites): 55-60 seconds; Full Box: 2 minutes; 20 seconds. Conventional or Toaster Oven: 1.

How do you cook Mr pretzel bites? ›

Pretzels Sugar and Cinnamon Bites are deliciously addictive and are pre-baked and ready to eat after heating for 3-4 minutes in the air fryer. You can also microwave them for 1-2 minutes or bake them in the oven for 5 minutes. They make for a quick dessert or snack. Not too sweet.

What is the flavouring on pretzels? ›

Salt is the most common seasoning, or topping, for pretzels, complementing the washing soda or lye treatment that gives pretzels their traditional skin and flavor acquired through the Maillard reaction. Other toppings are mustard, cheeses, sugar, chocolate, cinnamon, sweet glazing, seeds, and nuts.

What is the secret ingredient in pretzels? ›

According to King Arthur Baking, lye and caustic sodas are used in the process of baking pretzels because lye's reaction to the pretzels, much like baking soda, gives them that chewy texture, light interior, and brown crust.

What is the lie for making pretzels? ›

Lye is the secret ingredient that gives pretzels their characteristic look and taste. Without lye, you have a breadstick. When you dip raw dough into a hot lye bath, the lye breaks down proteins and starches on the surface.

Why do you boil pretzel dough before baking? ›

The answer lies in a brief dip in an alkaline water bath before baking. This bath essentially gelatinizes the outside of the pretzel, preventing it from fully “springing” during baking (as bread does) and giving pretzels their signature chewy crust. It also gives them their unique and indelible “pretzel” flavor.

How do you keep soft pretzel bites warm? ›

Simply wrap all the pretzel bites tightly in foil, sealing the edges together, then place in your oven on “keep warm,” or 170F.

Why do you boil pretzel dough in baking soda water? ›

Furthermore, we've introduced the baking soda bath. While it sounds strange, this step is what gives pretzels that iconic flavor, chewy texture, helps deepen their golden color in the oven, and locks in the super soft interior.

How to cook pretzilla pretzel bites? ›

Our filled PRETZILLA® Bites are not vegan, Kosher or Non-GMO Project Verified at this time. What's the best way to prepare Pretzilla® Bites? Like most bread products, PRETZILLA® Bites are best warm: simply toast 4-5 minutes in a medium-heat skillet or 300˚F oven.

How do you cook Auntie Anne's frozen pretzel bites? ›

Classic Pretzel Nuggets:
  1. Heat unopened, frozen butter packet in microwave for 30–40 seconds.
  2. Preheat oven or toaster oven to 425°.
  3. Remove frozen nuggets from pouch and place on a baking sheet.
  4. Bake in oven for 3–5 minutes or until heated through.
  5. Spread/brush butter onto heated nuggets and sprinkle on salt. Enjoy!

How do you cook Bistro 28 pretzel bites? ›

Bring water to a boil and slowly add in baking soda. Add in biscuit pieces a couple at a time for 15-20 seconds then place onto a parchment lined sheet pan. Brush each bite with melted butter and a sprinkle of coarse salt. Bake at 425° for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown and serve!

Why do my homemade pretzels taste bitter? ›

Why Do My Pretzels Taste Bitter? If your pretzels have any sort of a metallic, bitter taste, it all comes down to the baking soda bath.

What is the religious meaning of the pretzel? ›

Christian Roots

They believe the pretzel shape represents the holy trinity, the three holes representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Soft pretzels using a simple recipe of only flour, water, and salt were used during Lent when Christians were not permitted to eat eggs, lard, or any dairy products.

Why do my pretzels taste metallic? ›

When you eat a traditional pretzel, you may notice a slightly metallic taste, which is a result of the chemical reaction between the lye and the dough. However, the overall flavour of the pretzel is more complex than just the taste of lye.

What is the secret solution for Auntie Anne's pretzels? ›

Brown Sugar- brown sugar is what Auntie Anne's pretzels, use for their pretzel dough. Salt- use good quality sea salt. Baking powder- works as a dough conditioner for these soft homemade pretzels. Basic Alkaline wash- is a simple baking soda and water solution made for dipping pretzels in.

What makes pretzels smell like pretzels? ›

After removing other scent molecules individually, the researchers found two molecules that are essential to the unique pretzel scent: 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, which has a roasted smell, and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone, which has a caramel smell.

What's the difference between a pretzel and a soft pretzel? ›

Soft pretzels are large and have a chewy texture. They're usually served individually and are commonly sold at concession stands, restaurants, and bakeries. Meanwhile, hard pretzels are small and crunchy and can be eaten by the handful, depending on their shape.

What gives pretzels their brown color and taste? ›

Lye is primarily used to make pretzels, and it's the reason for their unmistakable shiny, mahogany color. To prepare, shaped pretzels are dipped in a lye bath, then baked in the oven. This method can also be used with rolls or buns.

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