Print

Salted Caramel Pretzel Bites Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 109 reviews

These Salted Caramel Pretzel Bites combine soft, chewy pretzels with a rich homemade salted caramel sauce for a perfect sweet and salty snack. The dough is boiled in a baking soda water bath to develop that classic pretzel crust, then baked until golden. Finished with a luscious salted caramel drizzle or dip, these bite-sized treats are ideal for parties or cozy nights in.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 ½ cups warm water (105-115℉)
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp melted butter
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus ½ cup reserved)

Soda Bath

  • 10 cups water
  • ½ cup baking soda

Salted Caramel Sauce

  • ½ cup sugar
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • ⅓ cup heavy or whipping cream
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine yeast, about 1 tsp of the brown sugar, and ¼ cup of warm water. Let sit for about 5 minutes until thick and frothy to ensure the yeast is active.
  2. Mix dough: Add the remaining brown sugar, warm water, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Add 3 cups of the all-purpose flour and mix using the dough hook on low speed, gradually increasing speed until incorporated.
  3. Knead the dough: Add 1 cup more flour, then knead with the dough hook until the dough starts to clean the sides of the bowl, about 6-9 minutes. If sticky, add reserved flour gradually. The dough should be soft, elastic, and pass the windowpane test.
  4. Rest the dough: Allow the dough to rest for 10-20 minutes to relax the gluten and warm up for easier shaping. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400 ℉ and prepare baking pans lined with greased parchment paper or silicone mats.
  5. Prepare the soda bath: In a large pot, combine 10 cups of water with ½ cup baking soda. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then maintain a steady simmer for dipping.
  6. Shape the pretzel bites: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 4 portions. Roll each into a 23-25 inch rope. Cut ropes into 1 ½ inch pieces, yielding about 70-80 pretzel bites.
  7. Dip in soda bath: Place about 10 pieces at a time in a metal strainer and dip into the simmering baking soda bath for 10-15 seconds. Remove and drain well, then transfer to prepared baking pans, spacing them evenly.
  8. Bake: Bake at 400 ℉ for about 12 minutes or until pretzels are golden and puffy. If baking in batches, cover unbaked pans with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel to keep them from drying out.
  9. Make the salted caramel: In a small saucepan, melt ½ cup sugar over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally until it becomes a smooth amber-colored liquid. Add 3 tbsp butter and stir carefully as the mixture will bubble and sizzle.
  10. Add cream and salt: Slowly and steadily stream in ⅓ cup heavy cream while stirring continuously. The mixture will bubble vigorously. Cook for about 30 seconds more, then remove from heat and stir in ½ tsp salt until smooth. Let cool slightly to thicken.
  11. Serve: Transfer the caramel to a pouring container. Drizzle over the warm pretzel bites or serve as a dip on the side. Drizzling is recommended for serving a crowd, while dipping is great for individual enjoyment and leftovers.

Notes

  • Ensure the yeast is fresh and active for the best dough rise and texture.
  • When boiling in the baking soda bath, avoid overcrowding the pretzels to prevent sticking.
  • Do not add too much flour; dough should be elastic and soft to maintain a tender pretzel bite.
  • You can store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days; reheat briefly before serving.
  • For a vegan version, substitute butter and cream with plant-based alternatives.
  • Use a candy thermometer to monitor caramel temperature if unsure; caramel should be amber, not burnt.

Keywords: salted caramel pretzel bites, pretzel bites, homemade pretzels, salted caramel sauce, sweet and salty snacks, party appetizers

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/salted-caramel-pretzel-bites-recipe/