Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites Recipe

If you’ve been craving a sweet, cozy snack that’s both fun to make and utterly delicious, you’re going to love this Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites Recipe. These little doughy bites coated in cinnamon sugar hit all the right spots—warm, soft, and perfectly sweet with just the right amount of buttery goodness. I absolutely adore making these when I want a treat that feels like a hug in food form. So, stay with me—I’ll walk you through every step to make sure you nail this recipe just like I do in my kitchen!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting your ingredients ready is half the fun! I love how these simple components come together—each plays a role in making those pretzel bites perfectly tender, chewy, and sweetly spiced. Don’t rush on picking fresh yeast and good quality butter; it really makes a difference here.

• Warm water: Helps activate the yeast—make sure it’s not too hot or it’ll kill the yeast, around 100°–110° F is just right.
• Sugar: A touch for sweetness to feed the yeast and add flavor to the dough.
• Active dry yeast: The magic ingredient that makes your dough rise and get that perfect texture.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Flour: Look for all-purpose flour; it gives you the right structure while keeping the bites soft inside.
• Baking soda: This is the secret for that signature pretzel crust—don’t skip it!
• Sugar (for coating): Sweetens up your pretzel bites to that addictive cinnamon sugar finish.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm spice—feel free to adjust depending on your love for cinnamon.
• Unsalted butter: Melted over fresh-baked bites for that irresistible rich flavor and helps cinnamon sugar stick.

Variations

While I love the classic cinnamon sugar coating, I like to switch things up sometimes depending on mood or occasion—making this recipe super flexible. The beauty is that you can easily tweak the flavor or add some fun toppings to suit you.

• Savory Twist: I tried sprinkling parmesan cheese mixed with garlic powder on these before baking once—it was a hit at game night!
• Maple Sugar Coating: Swapping out cinnamon for a bit of maple sugar gives a dreamy autumn vibe that my family goes crazy for.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Using a gluten-free flour blend works if you’re cautious about texture; just add a little xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t have it.
• Spicy Cinnamon: Adding a pinch of cayenne to the cinnamon sugar is a game changer if you like a subtle kick with your sweetness.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites Recipe

Step 1: Activate the Yeast and Mix the Dough

Start by combining the warm water and sugar in the bowl of your stand mixer. Then sprinkle in the yeast and let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes foamy—this tells you the yeast is alive and kicking. Next, add the flour and salt. Before turning on your mixer, use a spoon to stir the flour into the wet mixture until a shaggy dough forms. Attaching your dough hook, mix on medium-low speed for 6-8 minutes until the dough becomes smooth, shiny, and pulls away from the bowl. This slow kneading helps develop gluten—key for that chewy pretzel texture.

Step 2: Let the Dough Rise

Once your dough is ready, take it out of the mixer, lightly oil the bowl, and place the dough ball back inside. Cover it with a kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour. You’ll know it’s ready when it doubles in size—this is crucial for those fluffy bites you’ll love.

Step 3: Shape Your Pretzel Bites

Preheat your oven to 450°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Then divide your dough into small ¼ cup-sized balls. Roll each ball into a thin log and cut those logs into ¾- to 1-inch pieces—the perfect bite size. Make sure to spread them out on the baking sheets without stacking. This keeps them from sticking together and ensures even baking.

Step 4: Boil the Pretzel Bites in Baking Soda Water

This is where the magic happens—bring a large pot of water to a boil and carefully add the baking soda (do this slowly, as it will bubble up). Reduce heat to medium-low. Working in small batches, drop your pretzel bites into the water and boil for about 1 minute, flipping halfway through. This step gives that classic pretzel bite chew and golden crust. Once done, carefully remove the bites and place them back on the baking sheets.

Step 5: Bake Until Perfectly Golden

Bake your boiled pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes or until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Keep an eye on them—you want that gorgeous exterior without overbaking, which can make them a bit dry.

Step 6: Coat with Butter and Cinnamon Sugar

Once out of the oven, let the pretzel bites cool for about 10 minutes. Then brush them generously with melted butter—this helps the cinnamon sugar stick and adds richness. Toss the buttery pretzel bites in a mixture of sugar and cinnamon to coat them evenly. I love how the warm bites soak up the cinnamon sugar—it’s seriously addictive.

How to Serve Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes minimal since the cinnamon sugar coating steals the show. But sometimes, I sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top for an extra touch of sweetness—or you can drizzle a little cream cheese glaze if you want to be fancy for guests. It’s a great way to ramp up that cozy vibe.

Side Dishes

These pretzel bites pair wonderfully with a cup of hot chocolate or a spiced latte—perfect for chilly afternoons. I also like serving them with a side of whipped cream or vanilla yogurt dip to add a cool contrast to the warm bites. It’s a combo that everyone in my family always looks forward to.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays or parties, I arrange these pretzel bites in a big glass bowl surrounded by little ramekins of dips—in addition to cinnamon sugar, think chocolate sauce, caramel, or cream cheese frosting. This not only makes your table pop but it’s a surefire hit with guests. You can even serve them threaded on skewers to make cinnamon sugar pretzel kabobs—fun, easy to hold, and totally Instagram-worthy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I prefer to store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay soft for about 2 days. If you’re making these ahead for a party, I recommend waiting to add the cinnamon sugar coating until right before serving to keep them fresh and not soggy.

Freezing

Freezing works great! Just cool your pretzel bites completely (before coating), spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer bag. When you want a quick snack, bake from frozen and add your cinnamon sugar coating when they’re warm out of the oven.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-baked charm, I reheat mine in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This warms them through and restores that soft chew perfectly. Avoid the microwave as it tends to make them chewy or rubbery.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s the kind of warm, comforting treat that brings family and friends to the kitchen table with smiles. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, I promise you’ll find joy in making (and eating) these soft, sweet bites. Give them a try next time you want something easy yet impressive. Trust me, once you experience that first buttery, cinnamon-y bite, you’ll be hooked just like my family and me!

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