Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites Recipe

I love making these Easy Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites that combine melted butter, 110°F water, and active dry yeast with fresh flour for a soft dough. Coated generously in a cinnamon and sugar mix, these fluffy bites are a delightful twist on the classic, perfect Football Game Day Food treat.

I recently whipped up these Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites and man, they totally blew my mind. I was planning out some game day food and decided to try something different.

My plan was to get the dough started by mixing 1 cup of warm water (about 110°F) with a packet of active dry yeast and a tablespoon of granulated sugar. After letting that proof a bit, I added 4 cups of all-purpose flour, a teaspoon of salt, and 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter.

The dough came out super soft and fluffy. Once I rolled out these little bites, I boiled them in a bath made with 10 cups of water and 2/3 cup of baking soda, then brushed them generously with 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter.

For the finish, I coated each piece in a mixture of 1 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon. They’re a fun mix of sweet and savory perfect for any football game or party.

Enjoy makin’ these and share with your friends!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love making these cinnamon sugar pretzel bites for a bunch of reasons. First, I like how soft and fluffy they turn out each time and how the buttery taste really makes it feel like a treat. Second, the recipe is pretty simple to follow even if it seems a bit detailed at first glance, and that makes me feel super accomplished when I nail it. Third, the boiling step with the baking soda is kinda fun and gives the pretzels that unique chewy texture that I just can’t get enough of. And lastly, I enjoy how the cinnamon sugar coating adds a sweet twist that takes the whole snack to another level—it’s like a little burst of flavor in every bite.

Ingredients

• Warm water helps activate yeast and bring ingredients together to form a soft, workable dough.
• Active dry yeast drives the rising process in the dough, giving pretzel bites a light and airy texture.
• Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps feed the yeast in the dough when combined with warm water.
• All-purpose flour gives structure and without it this dough wouldnt hold together.
• Baking soda in the boiling water helps give the pretzels their chewy crust and color.
• Ground cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note that perfectly complements the sweet cinnamon sugar coating.
• Unsalted butter enriches the dough and brush layer making pretzel bites moist and flavorful.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for the dough)
• 10 cups water (for boiling)
• 2/3 cup baking soda (for the boiling bath)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
• 1 cup granulated sugar (for coating)
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (for the cinnamon sugar mix)

How to Make this

1. In a big bowl, combine 1 cup of warm water (about 110°F), 1 packet active dry yeast, and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it gets frothy.

2. Add 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir it till it forms a shaggy dough.

3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

4. Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it rest in a warm spot for around 1 hour until it doubles in size.

5. While the dough is rising, prep your boiling bath by bringing 10 cups water to a boil in a large pot and stirring in 2/3 cup of baking soda carefully.

6. Once the dough has risen, punch it down and cut it into small bite-sized pieces to form your pretzel bites.

7. Carefully drop the pretzel bites into the boiling water one at a time, letting them boil for about 30 seconds each. Remove them with a slotted spoon and let them drain on paper towels.

8. Preheat your oven to 425°F and arrange the boiled bites on a lightly greased baking sheet.

9. Brush the bites generously with 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter using a pastry brush.

10. In a shallow dish, mix 1 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon together; toss each buttered bite in the cinnamon sugar mix. Then bake for 10-12 minutes until they turn a lovely golden brown. Enjoy your soft, fluffy cinnamon sugar pretzel bites!

Equipment Needed

1. Large mixing bowl
2. Measuring cups and spoons
3. Kitchen thermometer (to check if water is around 110°F)
4. Spoon or spatula for stirring
5. Lightly floured counter space for kneading
6. Clean towel to cover the dough
7. Large pot for boiling water
8. Slotted spoon for removing pretzel bites from the water
9. Paper towels for draining the boiled pieces
10. Baking sheet (lightly greased)
11. Pastry brush for applying melted butter
12. Shallow dish for mixing cinnamon and sugar
13. Oven for baking the pretzel bites

FAQ

Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have active dry yeast, you can try using instant yeast instead. Just use about 25% less than the recipe calls for and mix it with your dry ingredients.
• If you’re out of all-purpose flour, you could use bread flour or do a mix of bread and whole wheat flour. Keep in mind you might need a touch more water to get the right consistency.
• Instead of unsalted butter in the dough, you can substitute with an equal amount of margarine or coconut oil. They work pretty much the same, though the flavor might be a bit different.
• If you dont have granulated sugar for the coating, light brown sugar is a good bet. It adds a slight caramel flavor and still gives you that sweet, crispy finish.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your water is really warm, not hot, when proofing the yeast. I’ve had times when a cup of water was too hot and it killed the yeast causing your dough to never rise properly.
2. Don’t rush the kneading step. Even if it feels like a pain you have to give your dough enough time to turn smooth and elastic, otherwise your pretzel bites might end up too tough.
3. When boiling the bites, be careful to drop them in one at a time. If too many go in the water at once they can stick together and you’ll end up with a hot mess.
4. Experiment a bit with your cinnamon sugar mix. If you like it extra sweet or a bit more cinnamony, don’t be afraid to tweak the amounts to suit your taste.