Description
Transform your sourdough discard into irresistibly chewy pretzel bites! Knead, roll, and create these subtly tangy, salty snacks. Find full instructions and nutrition details inside.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (240g) unfed sourdough discard
- 1 ½ cups (180g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 8 cups water
- ½ cup baking soda
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons coarse pretzel salt or flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the unfed sourdough discard, all-purpose flour, fine sea salt, and granulated sugar. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Step 2: Divide the dough into 6-8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about ½ inch thick, then cut the rope into 1-inch pieces to form your pretzel bites. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 3: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large pot, bring the 8 cups of water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the ½ cup of baking soda, stirring until dissolved. This will create a foamy bath.
- Step 4: Working in small batches, drop the pretzel bites into the boiling baking soda bath for 20-30 seconds, turning once. Use a slotted spoon to remove them, allowing excess water to drain, and place them back on the parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving some space between them.
- Step 5: Brush the boiled pretzel bites with the melted unsalted butter and generously sprinkle with the coarse pretzel salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the pretzel bites are golden brown. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- To keep your leftover pretzel bites fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, though they’re truly best enjoyed on the day they’re baked.
- For the best results, reheat leftover pretzel bites in a preheated oven or toaster oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-7 minutes until warmed through and slightly crisp again, avoiding the microwave to prevent a chewy texture.
- Elevate your pretzel bites by serving them warm alongside a trio of dips like tangy Dijon mustard, creamy beef broth cheese, or a sweet and spicy honey mustard for a crowd-pleasing snack spread.
- For that perfect chewy-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside pretzel texture, be sure to strictly adhere to the 20-30 second boil time for each batch; over-boiling can make your pretzel bites gummy instead of delightfully chewy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 pretzel bites
- Calories: 230
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Protein: 2g