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
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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
O says
I’m not sure why so many negative reviews…. I followed the recipe exactly, it did take 5,5 cups of flour, the dough was still a little sticky but i rubbed it with little oil and let it rise for an hour, it came out perfect! Didn’t stick at all was so easy to work with, very soft! I made mini pretzel dogs and pretzel bites with it! Everyone loved it! Thank you for sharing this recipe with us! ??
linda says
do any one have the almonds bites soft pretzels. if so please post it thank you
N.D. Leon says
Thank you so much for this recipe! It came out perfect! I forgot to add the salt in the dough before letting it sit to raise but I added it while I was rolling it and it was perfect.
I also noticed some of the comments that said that they dough is very sticky.. and it is, what I did is I added flour to the table, my hands and on the dough. I remember seeing the people at the pretzel places trowing the balls of dough in flour just to cover the top and not make it sticky. My pretzel bites where not affected.
Also, i used, i cant believe its not butter instead of regular butter and placed the left over dough in the fridge for later.
Delicious! No more spending 5 dollar per pretzel at the mall trip. 🙂 Thanks again! -NDL
Stephanie says
I’m glad you enjoyed the pretzels. Yes the trick it so make sure your work area has a lot of flour.
Katie says
The recipe for the dough itself was delicious. I am glad to see I’m not the only one that ended up with pretzel chips. I bake quite a bit, and when the recipe says to “roll flat”, I did just that. Rolled it flat as if I was going to make sugar cookies. After a few batches, my husband started rolling one of the mounds (after breaking the main dough into 12-14 mounds) into more of a snake/rope shape then cutting into bite sized pieces and went back to the recipe instruction from there. Finally! Instead of crispy flat pieces, we ended up with the puffy, bite sized pretzels we had in mind. I will make again, but instead do it correct from the get-go instead of wasting dough.
kathleen says
I did the same thing with rope and cutting in pieces. Looks more like pretzel bites.
The bottoms always get too brown. Went down to 425° as some suggested. Think I’ll go lower if I make them again.
Stephanie says
Sorry for this I now have it fixed in the recipe.
Penelope Costanzo says
I want to try this. Thank you.
vickie couturier says
i love pretzels this looks so good and im going to try to make them too
Brendisney says
The recipe was easy to follow and tasted just like Aunt Annie’s pretzel bites! I couldn’t bake them fast enough…my family devoured each batch I made before the next batch baked!
Stephanie says
Im glad your family enjoyed them so much!
Kyndol Castrilli says
I’m NOT a chef, professional baker, actually I’m a little cooking challenged at times. Lol? But I made this recipe as directed and they were PERFECT! My family devoured them! Thank you!!!???Makng them again today for the Super Bowl! Per my husband’s request .?
Stephanie says
I’m glad your husband loved them! You do not need to be a chef to have fun in the kitchen.
Meagan says
These pretzels are amazing! Huge hit at my house- planning to use this recipe at parties in the future. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Linda says
We have been making soft pretzels for many years, sometimes with friends, other times just for our family. If you spray your countertop lightly with cooking spray, the dough doesn’t stick but there is enough “grab” to make it easy to roll the dough into ropes. It’s almost like an extra set of hands! We love making the traditional twists, but I may have to try these for a snack tonight!
Stephanie says
Thanks for this great tip!
Laura says
Can you use quick active dry yeast?
Stephanie says
yes you can just follow the directions on blooming on the packaging
Trinity says
DELICIOUS!! i made these for an appetizer and got complements on them all night long. maybe even better than aunt annie’s
emma says
Delicious, i tried it for the first time today , I followed the ingredients and directions except for i used almond milk and canola oil because my daughter have dairy allergy. The dough rise well. It was so delish and soft. My kids love it. Thank you.
Stephanie says
Great to know you can make this dairy free!
Sarah C says
Wonderful recipe! I’ve tried other recipes and the pretzels came out too stiff or without that classic taste. Perfection on your part, Ma’am! Hats off to the chef! 😉 Husband is a die hard soft pretzel fan, and munched until he couldn’t munch. Lol No more buying cheap, frozen store bought pretzels! Also, we have six kids combined and this made a wonderful school night dessert! And cheap to boot. I too had the sticky dough, but simply added flour and kneaned the dough before rising. Yielded a perfect dough for rolling. Thank you so very much! – A soft pretzel stuffed family!
Stephanie says
I’m so glad your family enjoyed them.
Michelle says
Can I make the bites and leave them in refrigerator overnight, only baking them in the morning?
Erin says
This is my go to recipie for soft pretzels! I have made this recipe about 8 times now and every time I make them they are gone in seconds. A couple time I messed up but that was on my part and the yeast and not treating it right. I follow the recipe to a T and they turn out great every time ?? I actually have some dough rising right now ?
Felicity says
Can you use margarine instead of butter?
Stephanie says
yes but they will not come out as well
Mandy says
I followed the recipe exactly except I used almond milk instead! They turned out amazing. Thank you for sharing.
Briana says
Tried these today and they’re amazing! Thank you ❤️
Joanna says
This is an amazing recipie!! The bites are so doughy just like Auntie Anne’s! I used my instant pot to proof with the yogurt setting. I will say I was distracted with my kids and had it proofing for almost 2 hours so it more than doubled. But I believe the intended hour or even 45 mins in the instant pot will do. I Ended up making 2 and a half sheets of them.
Mallory says
Could you provide a little more clarification on the last step with the butter dipping? Do you drop the whole pretzel bite in or just dip the top? Seems hard to do just dip when they are hot! Thanks in advance
Stephanie says
Yes, you just drop them into the butter then get them out with a utensil.