This is the BEST Homemade soft pretzel bite recipe you are going to find! These soft pretzel bites are a perfect Auntie Anne’s pretzel bites copy cat recipe! These easy homemade soft pretzels are one of my kid’s favorite snacks. I promise you these are the BEST soft pretzels you are going to find that you can make at home!
Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites Recipe
We originally shared this amazing recipe back in 2014, however we were just getting started with our blogging adventure and learning how to use our camera so our photos were not as pretty. We have since updated the photos and added some information that covers questions people have asked about how to make homemade soft pretzels.
Homemade soft pretzel bites are one of our favorite snacks to make. There really isn’t a time that is best to enjoy them, we like to make them just because they are amazing and seriously the best snack ever.
If you have been following us for a long time, this is the same pretzel recipe you have loved for years. We just thought it was time to update the photos and some helpful questions that you have all asked. If you are new, I am telling you that you are going to LOVE this homemade pretzel bites recipe as it is the BEST one you are going to find!
Easy Snack Recipes
- Chocolate pretzel bites
- Buffalo pretzel sticks
- cheesy loaded chicken bacon ranch fries
- Baked Zucchini Fries
- Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potato Fries
Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Bites Copycat
My mom and I always stop at Auntie Anne’s whenever we are at the mall to split a yummy snack, which is why it was important to me to come up with an amazing homemade pretzel recipe. This soft pretzel recipe tastes just like the Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Bites!
I have tried many homemade soft pretzel bites recipes thinking that it is the homemade soft pretzel bites recipe. Come to find out the were gross so I gave up trying to use other people’s recipe and came up with one on my own instead! I promise you, this is the BEST homemade soft pretzel recipe ever!
My household including myself are picky when it comes to making any food at home. We want GREAT food and while it might have taken a long time to perfect this homemade cinnamon sugar pretzel recipe it was well worth it!
The printable directions for this homemade soft pretzel bites recipe can be found below to make your life easier.
Easy Copy Cat Recipes
- Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Dogs
- Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels
- Copy Cat Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice
- Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Shamrock Shake
- Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings
What kind of dip goes with pretzels?
I can sit and pop these homemade pretzel bites in my mouth and not dip them in anything because they are THAT good, however if you are a dipper there are lots of amazing things to dip homemade pretzels in. You have your normal dips like cheese dip, mustard, chocolate, but if you think outside of the box you may even shock your own taste buds!
When I am dipping mine I love homemade white cheddar queso. It is super easy to make and tastes amazing paired with homemade pretzels.
Looking for other amazing dips to dip your pretzels in? Check these out!
Tips for making homemade soft pretzels
Use a stand mixer! I use my KitchenAid Mixer when making these Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Bites Copycat, really I use my mixer for just about everything I do in the kitchen, if there is a use for it then I am using it! But it really does make it easier when making the pretzel dough. This is the mixer I have and not only is it awesome for when I need to mix things, or anything I am doing they come in a large variety of colors so you can easily match your kitchen.
Use Measuring cups. I find that when warming the milk is a lot easier to do when I use my pyrex measuring cups and then pour it into the mixing bowl. I have a smaller microwave so large bowls don’t fit and since I use my KitchenAid to mix it all that bowl is metal and well it really is a bad idea to stick metal in the microwave.
Melted Butter is a MUST! I learned that a BIG part of making Auntie Anne pretzels at home is getting the butter and doing it the same way they do. When the pretzels are hot out of the oven the get a nice bath in melted butter!
How to store leftover soft pretzel bites
If for some reason you have leftovers you can store them in an air tight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.
Can you Freeze soft pretzel bites?
Yes. If you have leftover pretzel bites you can store them in the freezer to enjoy later.
How to Freeze Pretzel Bites
Allow the pretzel bites to cool completely and then put them on a baking sheet and place the baking sheet in the freezer. Once the pretzels are frozen, remove them from the baking sheet and place them in an airtight container or in to zipclose bags. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to reheat Frozen soft pretzels
You do not need to reheat the pretzels unless you want to. You can remove them from the freezer and place on a tray and allow to thaw at room temperature for about an hour. If you want to reheat them, once they are thawed place in the oven at 350°F for 3-5 minutes.
Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites Ingredients
- milk
- active dry yeast
- brown sugar
- butter
- flour
- fine salt
- baking soda
- warm water
- Coarse Salt
How to Make Homemade Pretzels
Warm up the milk in the microwave for just about one and a half minutes. I use my pyrex measuring cups to heat it in. It should be about 110º. If it’s too hot it will kill the yeast. You should be able to comfortably keep your finger in it.
Stir in the yeast and one tablespoon of the brown sugar and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
Now grab a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer and pour the yeast mixture into the bowl.
Add 4 tablespoons of melted butter and remaining brown sugar.
Add the flour about 1 cup at a time and then add the fine salt.
Knead for about 10 minutes with a stand mixer or by hand.
Put it in a greased bowl and cover it with greased cling wrap.
Let rise for 1 hour in a moist, warm place until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 450º.
Punch down dough and divide into 12-14 lumps.
Roll each piece with your hands to form a rope as thin as you can.
Combine the warm water and baking soda in a wide bowl.
Cut the dough into 1 1/2″ pieces, then dip in the baking soda water.
Place on a greased baking sheet and sprinkle with coarse salt.
Bake for about 6-10 minutes or until browned.
Melt the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter in a microwave safe bowl right after removing the pretzel bites from the oven.
Dip each homemade pretzel in the melted butter while hot.
Love making things homemade? Check out these other amazing recipes!
Baking Supplies
Love to bake? Here are some of our favorite tools to make it easier!
Homemade Pretzels – Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Bites Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast 2 packets
- 6 tablespoons brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 5 to 5 1/2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/3 cup baking soda
- 3 cups warm water
- Coarse salt
- 8 tablespoons butter melted
Instructions
- Warm up the milk in the microwave for just about one and a half minutes. I use my pyrex measuring cups to heat it in. It should be about 110º. If it’s too hot it will kill the yeast. You should be able to comfortably keep your finger in it.
- Stir in the yeast and one tablespoon of the brown sugar and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
- Now grab a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer and pour the mixture in it.
- Add 4 tablespoons of butter and the remaining brown sugar.
- Add the flour about 1 cup at a time and then add the fine salt.
- Knead for about 10 minutes with a stand mixer or by hand.
- Put it in a greased bowl and cover with greased cling wrap.
- Let rise for 1 hour in a moist, warm place until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 450º.
- Punch down dough and divide into 12-14 lumps.
- Roll each piece with your hands to form a rope as thin as you can.
- Combine the warm water and baking soda in a wide bowl.
- Cut the dough into 1 1/2″ pieces, then dip in the baking soda water.
- Place on a greased baking sheet and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake for about 6-10 minutes or until browned.
- Melt the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter in a microwave safe bowl right after removing the pretzel bites from the oven. Dip each homemade pretzel in the melted 8 tablespoons of butter while hot.
Video
This homemade soft pretzel bites recipe are a great snack to have on hand when the kids get home from school or to have as a family movie night snack!
Looking for more snack recipes? Check these out!
- BBQ Bacon Lil’ Weenies
- Easy Layered Taco Dip
- Baked BBQ Chicken Wings
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Cheese Fries
- Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels
Comments & Reviews
Terry DeLuca says
Definitely best soft pretzel recipe ever!! Thanks for sharing!
Natalia Clark says
My boyfriend and I bond over making these pretzels! We’ve made them 2 times now, and plan to keep making them! We put cinnamon and sugar on them at the end and they are like clouds! Couldn’t recommend a recipe more!
Terry says
This was the best pretzel recipe ever.