Sourdough Pretzel Bites

I have a thing for big, soft pretzels. Anytime we go to a football or baseball game, that is the one thing that ALWAYS sounds good to me!

When I made some sourdough hamburger buns for a special we ran for our beef business, a friend of mine asked if they were pretzel buns. I told her no, but I had wanted to try sourdough pretzel bites. I told her once I'd figured out a good recipe, I would let her know and then post my recipe, and here we are!

And y'all, they were SO good. Tasted just like a soft pretzel, even with the sourdough starter in them! We devoured them in no time flat. 10/10 HIGHLY recommend trying these!

(You can also make these non-sourdough by substituting 1 packet active dry yeast for the cup of active sourdough starter, and adjusting the flour and water measurements as needed!)

Ingredients:

1 c warm water

1 c active sourdough starter

1 tsp honey

3/4 tsp salt

2.5 - 3 c flour (I used all-purpose)

Kosher salt

Pretzel Bath:

1/2 c warm water

1 T baking soda

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix salt and flour together.

2. Mix water, sourdough starter, and honey in a stand mixer.

3. Add dry ingredients in to the starter mixture one cup at a time. Make sure not to add too much flour

4. Remove from the bowl and knead by hand for 3-4 minutes, until a nice smooth ball forms.

5. Place dough in a greased bowl and let rise until doubled.

6. Preheat oven to 450°. Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. Spray with cooking oil.

7. Remove dough from bowl and cut into 8 equal pieces.

8. Roll each piece into a rope about 1 foot long. Cut each rope into 1 inch pieces.

9. In a small bowl, mix the water and baking soda for the pretzel bath.

10. Dip each pretzel into the bath and place each on the baking sheet.

11. Sprinkle Kosher salt evenly on top of the pretzel bites.

12. Bake 8-10 minutes, until golden brown. Serve with your favorite pretzel dipping sauce!

*OPTIONAL (but I definitely recommend): Brush with melted butter immediately after baking is done!

ENJOY!

Note: You can also make these into cinnamon and sugar pretzel bites! Simply swap the Kosher salt with a cinnamon and sugar mixture and sprinkle on before baking!