Sourdough discard soft pretzels are amazing, so what's even better? Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites! The recipe to make these pretzel bites is very similar to making full-size pretzels, but the method varies a bit so you get delicious, bite-sized pretzel morsels. I like to top them with flaky sea salt or everything bagel seasoning, but you could get creative with your toppings!
These are delicious served with Beer Cheese (for Pretzels), Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce or your other favorite dipping sauces!
If you want to make a full-sized pretzel instead, check out my recipe for Sourdough Discard Pretzels. You can also try these Sourdough Discard Pretzel Buns, which are great for sandwiches or hoagies! And if you're looking for other sourdough discard recipes, try these Sourdough Discard Bagels, Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Rolls, and Sourdough Discard Garlic Rolls.
Jump to:
- Why you'll love this recipe
- Ingredients
- Substitutions & Variations
- How to Make Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites
- Expert Baking Tips
- Why do you need to use yeast with sourdough discard?
- How to Serve Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites
- Equipment
- My Favorite Baking Pans
- Storage
- Recipe FAQ
- Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites
Why you'll love this recipe
- Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites are an easy recipe that is great for beginner bakers or making with kids!
- They're fun to make and even more fun to eat. Pair these with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce or your favorite dips!
- You can also make an easy variation to make Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites for a sweet treat.
- These are delicious fresh (and I challenge you not to eat the whole batch!), but they also freeze well so you can keep some for later.
- You can top these pretzel bites with your favorite toppings like everything bagel seasoning or cinnamon sugar!
- This recipe is a great way to use some of your sourdough discard, but you can also use active sourdough starter if you prefer.
Ingredients
As long as you have sourdough discard, you are well on your way to making these Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites!
- Sourdough discard: This recipe is designed for a sourdough starter with a 1:1 ratio (when you feed your sourdough starter, it's with 1 part flour and 1 part water). If your starter uses a different ratio, you may need to adjust some of the ingredients in this recipe. The sourdough discard should be unfed and at room temperature for this recipe.
- Dark brown sugar: The sugar is to feed the yeast, and using dark brown sugar gives a great deep flavor to the pretzel bites. You could also use light brown sugar instead.
- Active dry yeast: Even though we're using sourdough discard, we still need to use a leavening agent (yeast) to ensure a predictable and consistent rise with the pretzel bites.
- Warm water: Make sure the water you use is warm, as this is what will make the yeast bloom and help the dough to rise.
- All-purpose flour: Using all-purpose flour will give you light and fluffy pretzels.
- Baking soda: You will boil the pretzels in water with ⅔ cup baking soda. This starts the cooking process and also gives the pretzels their classic outer crust and color.
- Egg: This recipe uses an egg wash to help adhere the toppings to the pretzel bites. If you are not baking with eggs, you can use melted butter or even water.
- Toppings: I like to use Maldon Sea Salt as a nice, flaky sea salt to top pretzels. They're also amazing with everything bagel seasoning or cinnamon sugar!
See full recipe below for detailed directions.
Just made these for the first time and they were AMAZING! First time making anything with sourdough/ discard. My kids loved them; they're great for an after school snack!! Thank you, will be making them often!
- Samantha
Substitutions & Variations
This is a very adaptable recipe and below are a few easy substitutions and variations you can try.
- Use active sourdough starter - To use active sourdough starter, omit the yeast and substitute the sourdough discard for active sourdough starter (1:1 substitute). You will also need to adjust the rise times.
- Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites - After boiling, omit the egg wash and bake the pretzel bites as directed. Let them cool completely, then brush with 3 Tablespoons melted butter and roll in a cinnamon sugar mixture (I recommend using ½ cup granulated sugar + 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon).
- Substitute for eggs - If you're not eating or baking with eggs, you can use melted butter or water in place of the egg wash.
- Substitute for butter - If you're not eating or baking with butter, use a vegan butter substitute. I like to use Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks or Miyoko's Vegan Butter.
- If you'd rather make a full-size version of this recipe, try my Sourdough Discard Pretzels or Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels.
I have not tested this recipe with other variations, but if you do, let us know how it turns out in the comments! I always love to hear how you're adapting these recipes and use those as ideas for future recipes as well!
How to Make Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites
There are only a few key steps to make Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites. The full recipe with ingredients and directions is at the bottom of this post.
Combine all dough ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl until a shaggy dough forms.
Increase speed to medium or knead by hand for 4-5 minutes until the dough is smooth. The dough should not be sticky.
Transfer the dough to a large, greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for one hour or until doubled in size.
Turn the dough onto a work surface, then divide into 8 equal-sized pieces. This doesn't have to be exact.
Roll each piece into a 12-14 inch rope. Then use a knife to cut into individual pieces about 1 ½-inches long. You'll get about 10 pieces from each rope.
Roll each piece into a small ball. The dough ball should be about the size of a quarter (you can make these larger if you like, also!). Cover the pretzel bites with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap while you preheat the oven and boil the water in the next step.
Boil the pretzel bites in a pot of boiling water and baking soda for about 30 seconds. They should float! Shake off excess water and transfer the boiled bites to the prepared baking sheet. Spread the bites apart so they're not touching.
Lightly brush each bite with egg wash.
If you're making Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites, you'll omit this step and move on to baking. Then, brush with butter and toss in cinnamon sugar to finish.
Sprinkle the bites with your chosen toppings (flaky sea salt or everything bagel seasoning work well!).
Bake for 13-15 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool fully and enjoy!
Expert Baking Tips
- Make sure to knead the dough long enough. This is the secret to getting smooth-looking final pretzel bites!
- The dough will expand as it bakes. If you make dough balls that are about the size of a quarter, the final bites will be about the size of a ping pong ball. You can make these smaller or larger if you like!
- Make sure they pass the float test! When you put the pretzel bites in the boiling water, they should float. If they do not, cover the unboiled pretzel bites with plastic wrap and let sit for 10 minutes, then try again.
- After boiling the bites, shake off excess water. This will help prevent the bites from sticking to the parchment paper.
- Spread the bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat so they're not touching. While they're wet, the bites will be easy to move and separate. If you let the water evaporate, the bites will become sticky and harder to move.
- If you're making Sourdough Discard Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites (see substitutions & variations section), let the pretzel bites cool fully before coating them with cinnamon sugar. If you don't, the cinnamon sugar mixture will melt and soak into the dough. It'll still be delicious, but may not look the way you want it to.
Why do you need to use yeast with sourdough discard?
Sourdough discard is inactive (unlike active sourdough starter). When baking with discard, you can either feed it to make it active (with more water and flour), or you can use a leavening agent (like yeast) to make the dough rise predictably. Even if you use yeast, you'll still get some of the sourdough flavor, as well as additional lift from the discard!
How to Serve Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites
These Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites are delicious on their own (especially with those toppings!), but you can also serve them with a dipping sauce. I like to pair these with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce or with a simple mustard (they're great with Dijon mustard or a grainy mustard), a cheese dip, or even marinara sauce.
Equipment
I like to make the dough in a KitchenAid 5-Quart Stand Mixer, but this is optional. You can also make the dough in a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon. Use a kitchen scale to measure the sourdough discard. You'll also need a large bowl for the dough to rise in.
Use a large pot to boil the pretzels, using a slotted spoon or spatula to remove them from the water. Bake the pretzels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (such as a Silpat mat), then let them cool on a cooling rack. I also use a silicone brush for the egg wash.
kitchen essentials
My Favorite Baking Pans
My favorite baking pans for everything from pretzels to bagels, pizza night and more!
Storage
Room Temperature Storage: These Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites are best fresh. If you're planning to eat them within 1-2 days, store them at room temperature in a paper bag. If they harden, you can reheat them in the microwave for about 30 seconds to make them soft and warm again.
Freezer Storage: Make sure the pretzel bites are fully cooled, then store in an airtight container or bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat them, reheat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds until they are warm and soft again.
Recipe FAQ
These are soft pretzels, and they will not be like hard pretzel bites that you may buy at the grocery store. If you want a thicker, chewier crust on the pretzel, boil them for a longer time (perhaps 60 seconds instead of 30 seconds).
I recommend boiling the pretzels for about 30 seconds. If you want a thicker, chewier crust, let them boil for up to 60 seconds.
These are great topped with flaky sea salt (the traditional pretzel bite!). They're also delicious topped with everything bagel seasoning, or with a cinnamon sugar mixture.
If you want a stronger sourdough flavor, let your sourdough discard sit for a few days in your fridge before using it to bake. The longer the discard sits (within reason), the stronger the sourdough flavor will be.
Yes, you can! To do so, omit the yeast and replace the sourdough discard with active sourdough starter (a 1:1 substitute). You will also need to adjust the rise times.
There are a few things that could cause this. First, make sure to shake off the excess water after the boiling step before transferring to the baking sheet. Excess water can make the bites sticky. Second, if you have excess egg wash pooling beneath the bites, this can make them sticky. You only need to use enough egg wash for the toppings to stick to the bites (you won't use the full egg).
Finally, check the type of parchment paper you're using. Some are not designed for higher baking temperatures (and we're baking at a high temperature for this recipe!). I recommend using this parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (such as a Silpat mat).
If your pretzel bites have a metallic taste, this could be from the baking soda in the boiling step (don't skip this step, you need it!). You may want to try a different kind of baking soda (I use Arm & Hammer Baking Soda).
But it could also be from your egg wash! Make sure you're using fresh eggs (eggs that have been sitting in your fridge for longer can have a more alkaline taste) and whisk your egg wash thoroughly before brushing it on the bites.
If you're new to working with sourdough starter, check out these in-depth posts on how to feed sourdough starter, how to use sourdough discard, and tips for struggling sourdough starter.
Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons warm water
- 1 Tablespoon dark or light brown sugar
- 1 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 200 grams (about ¾ cup) sourdough discard unfed, at room temperature
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
For Boiling
- 10 cups water
- ⅔ cup baking soda
For Topping
- 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 Tablespoon water to make an egg wash
- flaky sea salt
- everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Combine the warm water (1 cup + 2 Tbsp) and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer* fitted with a dough hook. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let sit for 5 minutes or until the yeast begins to foam. If the yeast does not foam, your yeast is dead and you'll need to start again with fresh yeast.
- Add the sourdough discard, flour, salt and mix to combine. With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour in the melted butter and mix until well-combined. Change to medium speed or knead by hand for 4-5 minutes until a smooth dough forms. The dough should be smooth and not sticky. If needed, add more flour or water (1 Tablespoon at a time) to reach your desired dough consistency.
- Shape the dough into a ball and transfer to a large, oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Line 2 half-sheet baking trays with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
- Turn the dough out onto a smooth, dry work surface (no need to flour or oil, you'll want some traction). Divide into 8 equal-sized pieces. Roll each piece into a 12-14 inch rope. Cut the rope into bite-size pieces about 1 ½-inches long. You'll get about 10 pieces per rope. Roll each piece of dough into a ball (roughly the size of a quarter) and place on the prepared baking sheet. Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel while you prepare the next step.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Bring 10 cups of water and ⅔ cup baking soda to a boil in a large pot. Make sure to add the baking soda before the water is boiling to avoid making a bubbly mess!
- Place the pretzel bites in the boiling water mixture for about 30 seconds. The pretzel bites should float (called "passing the float test," see notes below). If they don't float, cover the unboiled bites and let rest another 10 minutes, then try again. After boiling, remove the bites from the water using a slotted spatula or spoon and shake off excess water. Spread on the prepared baking sheet so they're not touching and have room to expand. The bites will be easier to spread while they're still wet; they'll become stickier as they dry.
- Lightly brush each pretzel bite with egg wash** and sprinkle with your chosen toppings (flaky sea salt, everything bagel seasoning, etc.)
- Bake until golden brown, approximately 13-15 minutes, flipping and rotating the baking sheets halfway through. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool fully. Serve with a mustard or your favorite dipping sauce.
Jessica says
Any tips for storing them? I've made them twice. They were amazing, but they always get weird by the next day.
Jessica Vogl says
They’re best fresh but they also freeze well! Directions in the storage section above.
Kristina says
Approximately how many are in a serving?
Jessica Vogl says
This recipe makes about 8 servings. The number of bites in a serving will depend on the size you make!
Adrienne says
Tasted just like a proper new york soft pretzel! Great recipe!
Paula Osborne says
Made these for the first time this past week. They were delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe. I don’t have any paper bags. Can I store them in a linen bread bag, or are paper bags better? I don’t want them to get any softer or have the toppings melt away, like ziploc bags do, so I can buy some paper bags, if necessary.
Jessica Vogl says
A linen bag should work! I also like to freeze them. They will get harder as they sit longer at room temp, but you can pop them in the microwave for about 30 seconds to make them warm and soft again.
Pam says
Mine keep sticking to the patch a paper. How can I avoid this.
Jessica Vogl says
There are some notes on this in the FAQ section above! Make sure you’re shaking off excess water after the boil. You can also use a silicone baking mat if that works better for you!
Michelle says
How do you store them for freshness
Jessica Vogl says
There are storage directions in the post above!
Brenda says
Why do my pretzels taste like baking soda?? I followed the recipe to a tee.
Jessica Vogl says
It’s possible you’re actually tasting the egg wash. I have some notes on this in the post above!
Olivia McGregor says
can you please convert all the measurements to grams..salt, water etc... this would be much easier.
Larissa says
How do I adjust the recipe for a 2:1 ratio starter?
Jessica Vogl says
If your starter uses 2 parts flour, 1 part water, then you’ll want to slightly decrease the flour and slightly increase the liquid in the recipe (try by 1-2 Tbsp). You’ll need to go a bit by dough feel here!
Kristine says
Great recipe! Can you update the ingredient list by including grams - so much easier and faster than measuring cups. Thank you!
Danielle says
Super easy to make. At the boiling step now, but nervous because my dough is taking a while to rise. The recipe said “active dry yeast” but should it have been “instant yeast”?
Jessica Vogl says
Active dry yeast is correct (instant yeast is just another type of yeast). Rise times may take longer if your house is a cooler temperature!
Alice says
Made these today. Absolutely love them. This recipe is a keeper.
Cassandra Elifritz says
These were so easy to make and delicious. Thank you Jess for sharing.
Ashley says
Could I use active starter instead of discard with yeast?
Jessica Vogl says
Yes, you can! There is info on this in the "substitutions and variations" section above!
Laura says
I cannot get my pretzels to have any color. Nothing like yours, what am I doing wrong!?
Jessica Vogl says
Did you skip the boiling step? And did you do the egg wash? Lastly, could you bake a few more minutes?