Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Bites

Copycat Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Bites are a sweet or savory snack with an iconic golden chewy crust and soft homemade pretzel dough, just like Auntie Anne serves them.

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword cinnamon sugar, copycat recipe, pretzel, soft pretzel

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Rest 1

Total Time 1 35

Servings bites

Calories 58kcal

Ingredients

Dough

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
¼ ounce instant dry yeast 1 packet
1½ teaspoons kosher salt

Soda Bath

8 cups water
¼ cup baking soda

Egg Wash

1 egg
splash of water

Coating Salted

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
coarse sea salt or coarse kosher salt

cheese sauce - for dipping

Coating - Cinnamon and Sugar

1½ cups cinnamon/sugar mixture
4 ounces cream cheese softened
4 tablespoons confectioner’s sugar
2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

Combine the flour, warm water, sugar, yeast, and kosher salt in a large bowl.
Use a dough hook or wooden spoon to mix the dough until combined. You want to mix the dough until a ball forms if using a dough hook, if using a spoon, knead the dough until slightly sticky and formed into a ball.
Place the dough ball into a greased bowl, cover, and set aside in a warm spot to rise for an hour or until doubled in size.
Divide the dough into 6 balls and roll the balls into ropes about an inch wide.
Cut 1-inch pieces off the ropes and set them aside on a parchment-lined tray.
Combine the water and baking soda in a large stockpot over medium heat and bring to a boil, reduce to a bubbling simmer.
Add the dough, just a few at a time to not overcrowd the pot, and boil for 30 seconds.
Using a slotted spoon, remove the bites from the water and place them on a parchment-lined baking tray.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
In a small bowl whisk the egg with a splash of water.
Brush the egg wash over the dough.
Bake for 13-15 minutes until golden brown.
Meanwhile, melt the butter.
Once the pretzels are browned, remove them from the oven and brush the butter over each pretzel bite.
If making salted pretzel bites: sprinkle them with the coarse kosher or coarse sea salt and serve with cheese sauce.
If making the cinnamon sugar bites: place them in a shallow dish with the cinnamon sugar and toss until coated.
Make the cream cheese dipping sauce by whisking together the softened cream cheese, confectioner’s sugar, and milk.

Notes

Tips and Tricks

● Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
● You can make the pizza version by sprinkling it with parmesan cheese and a pepperoni slice before baking.
● You can also make these into regular large pretzel shapes.

Nutrition