Soft Pretzel Bites

These tasty bite-sized nuggets make a great after-school treat for kids or a crowd-pleaser for the big game.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the baking soda on a small sheet tray and bake for 1 hour.
  2. To proof the yeast, combine warm water, brown sugar, and yeast. Stir slowly to combine. Set aside for 5 minutes.
  3. Fit the Food Processor with the Multi-Use Blade. Place flours and salt into the Vitamix Container and secure the lid. Pulse the mixture 5 times. Add the yeast mixture through the Small Food Chute. Start the machine and process for 20–30 seconds, or until a ball forms.
  4. With floured hands, remove dough and form into a round ball. Place in a bowl, cover and allow to rise in a warm spot, until doubled in size, about an hour. Remove the baking soda from the oven and place in a large pot with 2 quarts of water.
  5. Increase oven temperature to 450°F (230°C). Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface and divide into 18 equal pieces. With your palms, roll each piece to form a small ball and place on a baking sheet. Let sit for 20 minutes.
  6. Bring pot of water and baking soda to a boil. Carefully place the pretzel bites into the water and boil for 30 seconds, carefully moving the balls around to coat all sides. Remove and place on a parchment lined baking sheet, and sprinkle with large flaked salt.
  7. Place in preheated oven and bake for 5–6 minutes or until crispy and lightly browned. Best when served warm.

Notes

Baking the baking soda is a crucial step in preparing pretzels. This blanching will mimic what lye does, creating that nice golden brown crunchy crust and soft middle.

Nutrition

1 serving (92g)