Who doesn’t love having soft pretzels at sporting events?  I do!  But why not have them at home?  In fact, why not have them this weekend for the Super Bowl??  They are super easy and highly addicting!  (Fact: I can easily take down an entire plate!)

I’m telling you you will be thanking me when your the hit of the party!

PS this picture doesn’t do these justice!

Ultimate Pretzel Bites

What you’ll need:

1 packet of yeast

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

1 1/2 cup hot tap water

6 tablespoons Earth Balance, melted

2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

4-5 cups of flour

8 cups of water

1/4 cup baking soda

1/8 cup soy or almond milk

Fleur de sel or sea salt

What you’ll do:

In a large bowl or the bowl for your stand mixer, place the yeast, brown sugar, hot water and melted butter.  Let sit about 5 minutes.

Add in the salt and turn the stand mixer on.  Gradually start adding in the flour.  After 4 cups slowly add the rest in until the dough is soft and not wet.  You may not need all 5 cups.

Spray with cooking spray or coat the dough ball with a little vegetable oil.  Return to the bowl, cover with a clean towel and let rise for about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Bring the 8 cups of water in a large pot to a boil.  While it’s coming to a boil, Cut the dough into 8 equal pieces.  The easiest way to do this is to place the ball of dough on a floured workspace and slightly flatten with your hands.  Take a knife dipped in flour and cut the dough like a pie into 8 pieces.  Place 7 of the pieces back in the bowl and cover.  One piece at a time, roll them with your fingers into a long rope.  Using the same knife, cut little 1 inch pieces.  Repeat.

When the water is boiling, quickly add in the baking soda.  Watch out cause it will bubble up!  Add in the pretzels in batches and count to 30.  (I do about 12 at a time)  Remove from the water with a slotted spoon and place on a cookie sheet with silpat or parchment paper on it.  Arrange them so that they are not touching.  Brush them with some milk that is a little watered down.  And if you’d like, sprinkle them with some kosher salt.

Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes until they are golden brown.

Enjoy with your favorite dip.  I like yellow mustard : )

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