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!
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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
Laura says
Hi! where I’m from, I can’t seem to find active dry yeast, only instant yeast. Can I use it instead? Thank you so much for the help!
Stephanie says
Yes
lulu says
in your you tube video you say to add brown sugar but those instructions are not on this site. Is the brown sugar instructions for the sweet pretzel?
Del says
When do you add 8 tblsp of butter.. this might be a good recipe but it’s instructions suck
Stephanie says
It the last step: Dip each homemade pretzel in the melted 8 tablespoons of butter while hot.
Gina says
As with anything concerned with baking, patience is key. The directions were very clear for me.
Denise says
This is by far the best pretzel recipe! They always turn out soft and fluffy! I love them! My whole family loves them! I pinned this recipe years ago and make them at least once a month. Thanks!
Mindy says
How do you store tre leftovers? I put them in air tight containers and the salt ones became wet and I did cinnamon as well that were wet. Otherwise love love these!!!
Stephanie says
I pop them back in the oven to warm them back up can they are great it takes away the moister.
Stephanie says
I cut the recipe in half and it was still a LOT for us. So I froze half the dough. I used it the next week and they were fantastic! So there’s that if you don’t want to make them all at once. The hard part is already done and the bites were just as delicious.
Gina says
Just made this recipe. I followed the recipe just as directed, except I lowered the temp to 425° and used parchment paper (per another reviewer’s recommendation).
Dough was not sticky at all (5 cups of flour and that’s it). Kneading is key. Even when I went to roll them out after the rise, I did not need extra flour at all – rolled easily with my hands. Also, this was A LOT of dough. I only rolled out 1/3 of it and still have plenty to freeze for a later time.
Holy moly! This is the BEST copy cat I’ve ever tasted. Thank you so much for sharing!
Rebecca Owen says
By far THE BEST pretzels I have ever made!!!! I have tried SO many recipes and they never turn out how we want them to!
I will use this over and over again, our boys just asked if we could have a pretzel night every month!!!
Love them!!!
READ the entire recipe, then make them, it makes all the difference in the world!
Rachel Thompson says
I want to make these like NOW! I’m confused about the baking soda/water part. Other recipes say to boil in baking soda/water for about 30 seconds, but your says to just “dip”?
I love the idea of just dipping if it works! And I haven’t seen ante comments that say it didn’t?
Thanks!!
Rachel Thompson says
Ugh..ANY comments🤦🏼♀️
Stephanie says
I’m going to take a look at the recipe in a little bit but I just put the pretzels into the baking soda mixture without boiling it.
Anna Pugsley says
There were so many comments I apologize if this was already asked. Can you freeze these and then bake? I am going to try anyway but would like your expert advice. Always looking for ways to save time. I have full on cooking/baking days and then work days.
Stephanie says
I haven’t tried but I’ve heard people doing this.
Richard says
I’ve made this recipe several times, turn out great, I’ve cut the recipe in half, and it worked out just fine.
Christina says
These turned out great. How do you store them and how long will they keep? Thank you
Stephanie says
Air tight container on the counter for about a day for the best pretzels.
Nicki says
I found the instructions to be very helpful! Thanku so much!🙂
ashok says
Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.
Shannon says
This was my first time making home made pretzels. The recipe was so easy and the pretzel bites came out perfectly! They looked just like the picture and tasted amazing!
Johnny Steinbecker says
Your recipes are to die for.
Haley D says
I’ve made tons of pretzel recipes, and this one is my favorite. Very user friendly. I think the difference is the baking soda bath. I’m past recipes the water is boiling on the stove and each piece stays in the water for 15 seconds. Just dipping the pretzels in the baking soda water was a new technique and it worked perfectly. This will be my go to recipe from now on- thanks!
Cindy says
These are the best pretzels! Make sure they double in volume before rolling them out. I dip them in the warm soda water and place them on parchment paper, sprinkle the salt and bake. When they’re out of the oven, brush the melted butter over them- just like the recipe!
Yummy!
Laurir says
Fantastic recipe, thanks for sharing!
Sarah Spragg says
These are legit! I add an extra Tbsp of brown sugar just because I like sweeter pretzels but WOW 😍