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This Pretzel Maker copycat for Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites will make you feel like you just hit the mall and are ready to party! They’re the perfect bite-sized soft pretzels covered in buttery cinnamon sugar.
Sweet Pretzel Bites
These Cinnamon Pretzel Bites hit all of the marks. And while you might be tempted to be intimated, DON’T BE. With the simplest yeast dough, they’re honestly a breeze to make.
They’re soft and slightly chewy with a hearty coating of cinnamon sugar and a buttery hint. Seriously, no notes.
Best when enjoyed warm, I like to serve these pretzel bites with a vanilla icing for dipping. Paired together, it honestly tastes like a cross between a soft pretzel and a cinnamon roll. I mean, COME ON.
If you prefer your Pretzel Bites with just some Coarse Salt? Try myPretzel Bites Recipe. Looking to make large pretzel twists? Learn how to make Homemade Soft Pretzels on my site, too!
Ingredients
*You can find instructions and exact quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Pretzel Dough
- Warm water – You want the water to be between 105°F -113°F to foster happy, bubbly yeast.
- Dry active yeast
- Sugar – This will help feed the yeast and flavor the dough.
- Melted butter – I used salted butter, but you can sub in unsalted butter if you’d like. Just add an extra pinch of salt to the dough.
- Salt
- All-purpose flour – Yes! Just all-purpose flour here. I promise it will give you a tender pretzel bite!
- Cinnamon and sugar mixture – You can customize this to your liking, but I usually ½ cup of granulated sugar and 3 tsp of cinnamon.
Baking Soda Bath
* This is what will give the pretzel bites their characteristic brown color, light crust, and soft interior.
- Water
- Baking soda
How to Make Cinnamon Pretzel Bites
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes, or until bubbly. If the mixture does not foam, the yeast is inactive and the pretzels will not turn out. Repeat this step with fresh yeast until bubbly.
- Add 1Tbsp melted butter, salt, and flour. Using the dough hook, knead on low speed for 10 minutes. The dough should be very soft but not stick to the sides of the bowl.
- Cover and let rise at room temperature for 1 hour, or until doubled in size
- After the dough has doubled, punch down and divide into 8 equal pieces. Set aside and preheat the oven to 425°F.
- In a large pot, bring the water and baking soda to a boil.
- Roll each piece of dough into a long rope, then cut into 1-inch pieces to form bites.
- Working in batches, gently drop the dough pieces into the boiling baking soda water for 5–10 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. (The parchment will become wet, so be sure to transfer the bites to a fresh sheet of parchment before baking.)
- Bake for 10 minutes at 425°F.
- Remove from the oven and immediately dip in the remaining ¼ cup melted butter, then toss in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until coated.
- These are best enjoyed within the hour and served with Vanilla Icing!
Can I freeze pretzel bites?
Yes, you can. Allow the pretzels to cool completely and then freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, reheat the pretzels in the oven at 425°F for 8-10 minutes.
Can I make these with salt instead of cinnamon-sugar?
Totally! I actually have a recipe for salted pretzel bites you can check out for exact instructions.
Karli’s Kitchen Faves
Here are a few of my favorite kitchen tools that I used to make this recipe!
- Kitchenaid Mixer – I really love this thing. It’s not necessary for making good cookies, but I love the size of the bowl and the power.
- Cookie Sheet – These cookie sheets have put in WORK in my kitchen. If you’re looking for a brand that will stand the test of time (and pretzels), this is my recommendation.
- You will use 2 parchment paper sheets. One for when the bites come out of the baking soda bath and then one to bake the bites on.
- Spider strainer – You can use a slotted spoon instead, but this helps the water roll off the pretzel bites quickly.
More Bread Recipes
- Breadsticks Recipe
- Cinnamon Rolls
- French Bread Recipe
- Ciabatta Roll Recipe
- Asiago Cheese Bagel
- Dinner Rolls
- Focaccia Bread
- Olive Garden Breadsticks
- No Knead Pizza Crust
- Garlic Knots
Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites
Ingredients
Pretzel Dough
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 pkg dry active yeast
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp melted butter, divided
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup cinnamon and sugar mixture
Baking Soda Bath
- 4 cups water
- 2 Tbsp baking soda
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes, or until bubbly. If the mixture does not foam, the yeast is inactive and the pretzels will not turn out. Repeat this step with fresh yeast until bubbly.1 cup warm water, 1 pkg dry active yeast, 1 Tbsp sugar
- Add 1Tbsp melted butter, salt, and flour. Using the dough hook, knead on low speed for 10 minutes. The dough should be very soft but not stick to the sides of the bowl.1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp melted butter, divided, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 1/2 cups flour
- Cover and let rise at room temperature for 1 hour, or until doubled in size
- After the dough has doubled, punch down and divide into 8 equal pieces. Set aside and preheat the oven to 425°F.
- In a large pot, bring the water and baking soda to a boil.4 cups water, 2 Tbsp baking soda
- Roll each piece of dough into a long rope, then cut into 1-inch pieces to form bites.
- Working in batches, gently drop the dough pieces into the boiling baking soda water for 5–10 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. (The parchment will become wet, so be sure to transfer the bites to a fresh sheet of parchment before baking.)
- Bake for 10 minutes at 425°F.
- Remove from the oven and immediately dip in the remaining ¼ cup melted butter, then toss in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until coated.1/2 cup cinnamon and sugar mixture
- These are best enjoyed within the hour and served with vanilla icing!
So good and so easy. Will definitely be making these again.
I am so happy to hear that, Elizabeth. Thanks!! 🙂
My two daughters and I made these today some with the icing and some without. Such an easy recipe and seriously taste amazing!! Won’t be needing to go to Mr. Pretzel again!