These warm, pillowy cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites are dangerously addictive. Each bite has that perfect chewy pretzel crust on the outside, soft and tender on the inside, then gets dunked in melted butter and rolled in sweet Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites. The creamy cream cheese dip takes them over the top. I made these for a game night last month, and they disappeared so fast I barely got two for myself. The best part? They're easier to make than you'd think, and your whole kitchen will smell like a bakery while they bake.
If you're in the mood for more sweet treats, try my Oreo Poke Cake for another crowd-pleaser, or check out my Raspberry Tiramisu that combines the best of cookies and brownies. And if you want something for, my Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt Clusters is cozy and delicious.
Why You'll Love This cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites
These cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites are so much easier to make than you'd expect for something that tastes this good. The dough comes together in one bowl, and even though there's a rising time, most of it is hands-off. You don't need any fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients, just basic pantry staples and a little patience.
The homemade pretzel bites have that perfect chewy texture you get from the baking soda bath, and the cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites coating makes them taste like a sweet, warm hug. The cream cheese dip adds a tangy, creamy contrast that balances out the sweetness beautifully. Plus, they're fun to make with kids or friends, and they always disappear fast at parties.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites
- cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites Ingredients
- how to make cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites
- Substitutions and Variations
- Equipment
- How to Store Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites
- Serving Suggestions
- Expert Tips
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzel Bites
cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites Ingredients
Here's what each ingredient does in this recipe.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
For the Soft Pretzels:
- Instant yeast: Helps the pretzel dough rise and gives it that soft, fluffy texture. Make sure your water is warm but not too hot, or it can kill the yeast.
- Warm water: Activates the yeast and brings the dough together. It should feel comfortably warm to the touch, around 110°F.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the dough.
- Brown sugar: Feeds the yeast and adds a subtle sweetness to the pretzel dough.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Adds richness and helps create a tender, soft texture in the finished pretzels.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the dough. Add it gradually until the dough is no longer sticky.
- For the Egg Wash:
- Large egg: Gives the pretzel bites a shiny, golden finish when baked.
- Water: Thins out the egg wash so it brushes on smoothly.
- For the Baking Soda Bath:
- Water: The liquid base for boiling the pretzel bites.
- Baking soda: Creates that classic pretzel flavor and deep golden color on the outside. This step is what makes them taste like real soft pretzels.
For the cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites Coating:
- Butter (melted): Helps the cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites stick to each pretzel bite and adds extra richness.
- Sugar: Provides the sweet coating that makes these pretzel bites irresistible.
- cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites: Adds warmth and spice to the sugar coating.
- For the Cream Cheese Dip:
- Cream cheese (softened): Creates a smooth, tangy base for the dip.
- Butter (softened): Adds creaminess and makes the dip rich and silky.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a hint of sweetness and rounds out the flavor.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the dip and gives it a smooth, fluffy texture.
how to make cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites
Here's how to make your cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites from scratch.
For the Pretzels:
Activate the yeast: Dissolve the instant yeast in warm water in a large bowl and stir for about 1 minute until mostly combined. You'll see the yeast start to get a little foamy.
Mix the wet ingredients: Add salt, brown sugar, and melted butter to the yeast mixture and stir everything together until well combined.
Build the dough: Gradually add the flour 1 cup at a time, stirring after each addition. The dough will get thicker and eventually pull away from the sides of the bowl. If it's still sticky, add more flour 1 tablespoon at a time. Poke the dough with your finger, and it should bounce back when it's ready.
Knead the dough: Lightly flour a flat surface, then turn the dough out and knead it for 3 minutes until it's smooth and elastic. Form it into a ball.
Let it rise: Lightly oil a large bowl with nonstick spray, place the dough inside, and cover it with a clean towel. Set it in a warm spot to rise for about 30 minutes. The dough should puff up noticeably.
Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) so it's ready when the pretzel bites are shaped.
Prepare the baking soda bath: Bring 9 cups of water and ½ cup of baking soda to a boil in a large pot. This is what gives the pretzels their signature flavor and color.
Shape the pretzel bites: Once the dough has risen, cut it into 6 equal sections. Roll each section into a long rope about 20 to 22 inches long. Cut each rope into 10 to 12 pieces, about 1.5 inches each.
Boil the bites: Drop a batch of pretzel bites into the boiling baking soda bath and let them cook for 20 to 30 seconds. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a parchment-lined or silicone-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining bites.
Brush with egg wash: Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water in a small bowl. Use a pastry brush to coat each pretzel bite with the egg wash. This gives them a beautiful golden shine.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the pretzel bites are golden brown on top.
Coat with cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites: While the pretzels are still warm, combine the sugar and cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites in a small bowl. Dip each pretzel bite into melted butter, then roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture until fully coated. Place the coated bites back on the tray and repeat with all the remaining pieces.
For the Cream Cheese Dip:
Mix the dip: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then mix until fully combined and fluffy.
Adjust consistency: If the dip is too thick, add milk ½ tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. If you're not serving it immediately, microwave it for 20 seconds to warm it up and make it extra creamy.
Substitutions and Variations
You can easily adapt this cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites recipe to fit what you have on hand.
Yeast options: If you don't have instant yeast, use active dry yeast instead. Just dissolve it in the warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy before adding the other ingredients.
Sweetener swaps: Replace brown sugar in the dough with white sugar or honey. For the coating, use coconut sugar instead of regular sugar for a slightly deeper flavor.
Dairy-free version: Use plant-based butter and your favorite non-dairy cream cheese to make the dip dairy-free. The pretzel dough is already dairy-free except for the butter, so just swap that out.
Pumpkin spice pretzels: Replace the Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites in the coating with pumpkin pie spice for a fall twist.
Chocolate drizzle: After coating the bites in Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites, drizzle melted chocolate over the top for extra indulgence.
Savory version: Skip the Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites coating and toss the warm pretzel bites in melted butter and coarse salt for classic salted soft pretzels.
Equipment
Here's what you'll use to make these pretzel bites.
Large mixing bowl: For making and rising the dough.
Slotted spoon: For removing the pretzel bites from the boiling water without breaking them.
Baking sheets: You'll need at least two, lined with parchment paper or silicone mats.
Parchment paper or silicone baking mat: Keeps the pretzel bites from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Large pot: For boiling the baking soda bath. Make sure it's big enough to hold 9 cups of water comfortably.
Pastry brush: For applying the egg wash evenly over each pretzel bite.
Small bowls: One for the egg wash and one for the cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites coating.
How to Store Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites
Store leftover cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They're best enjoyed fresh and warm, but they'll still taste good the next day if you reheat them.
To reheat, place the pretzel bites on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes. You can also microwave them for 15 to 20 seconds, though they won't be quite as crispy on the outside.
For longer storage, freeze the baked and coated pretzel bites in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Reheat them straight from frozen in the oven at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
The cream cheese dip can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Warm it up in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds before serving.
Serving Suggestions
These warm cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites are perfect for so many occasions.
Serve them as a fun dessert at parties or game nights with the cream cheese dip on the side for everyone to share.
Enjoy them as a sweet afternoon snack with a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk.
Pack them in a container for a special lunchbox treat that kids will love.
Serve them alongside my Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes for a dessert spread that'll impress everyone.
Expert Tips
Check your water temperature: The water for activating the yeast should be warm, around 110°F. Too hot and it'll kill the yeast, too cold and it won't activate properly.
Don't skip the baking soda bath: This step is what gives the pretzel bites their classic pretzel flavor and deep golden color. It only takes 20 to 30 seconds per batch.
Work quickly with the dough: After you cut the dough into pieces, try to boil and bake them within a reasonable time so they don't dry out.
Coat them while warm: The cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites best when the pretzel bites are fresh out of the oven and still warm from the melted butter.
Keep the dip smooth: Make sure your cream cheese and butter are fully softened before mixing, or the dip will be lumpy. If it gets too thick, add a splash of milk.
Use a kitchen scale: For the most even pretzel bites, weigh the dough sections so they're all the same size.
FAQ
How long do you microwave cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites?
Microwave cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites for 15 to 20 seconds to warm them up. If they're frozen, start with 30 seconds and check. Be careful not to overheat them, or they'll get tough and chewy in a bad way. For the best texture, reheat them in the oven instead.
How long do you heat pretzel bites?
To reheat homemade pretzel bites, warm them in a 350°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes if they're at room temperature, or 10 to 12 minutes if they're frozen. This keeps them soft inside and slightly crispy outside. You can also microwave them for 15 to 20 seconds for a quicker option.
Are cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites healthy?
Cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites are a treat, not a health food. Each bite has about 54 calories, mostly from carbs and a little fat. They're made with butter, sugar, and white flour, so they're higher in calories and sugar. Enjoy them in moderation as a fun snack or dessert, not as an everyday food.
How long to cook frozen cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites in the oven?
Cook frozen pretzel bites at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes, straight from the freezer. You don't need to thaw them first. If you want them extra warm and soft, add another minute or two. Keep an eye on them so they don't dry out.
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites
Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzel Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Dissolve the yeast in warm water in a large mixing bowl. Stir until mostly combined.
- Add salt, brown sugar, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir to combine.
- Gradually add flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing until dough is thick and not sticky. Add additional flour if needed.
- Flour a flat surface lightly. Knead the dough for about 3 minutes and shape it into a ball.
- Coat a large bowl with nonstick spray and place the dough ball inside. Cover the bowl with a towel and place it in a warm area. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Bring 9 cups of water and ½ cup baking soda to a boil in a large pot.
- Divide the dough into 6 sections. Roll each section into a 20–22 inch rope.
- Cut each rope into 10-12 pieces, each about 1.5 inches long.
- Drop the pretzel bites into the baking soda bath, one rope at a time, and let them sit for 20-30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Beat the egg and water together in a small bowl to create an egg wash. Brush the egg wash over each pretzel bite.
- Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Combine sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. dip each pretzel bite in melted butter, then coat in cinnamon sugar mixture. Repeat for all bites.
- To make the cream cheese dip, beat together softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until fully combined.
- If the dip is too thick, add milk ½ tablespoon at a time until smooth. Reheat in the microwave for 20 seconds if necessary.
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