Happy Fat Tuesday!
Are you drooling yet? Mhmmm. Tuesdays (fat or not) should start off with a good drool…preferably before you throw on your outfit for the day. But hey, I don’t judge…happens to the best of us.
I’m a glutton for recipe punishment sometimes. I don’t write off labor-intensive, time-consuming recipes, no…no…no. I embrace and enjoy said recipes on lazy Sundays. Cooking and time in the kitchen should be enjoyable and leisurely whenever possible. Or at least that’s how I feel.
And can’t a pizza cutter be used for anything? Yep, at least in the context of this recipe. My pizza cutter and I bonded. It’s amazing that it was 1) clean and 2) not in the death grip of The Mr. Prevention Pizza Man. 100 bites is what this recipe makes. That’s a lot of pizza cutter usage well-spent.
If those Soft Seasoned Pretzels piqued your interest before you read the tome of recipe directions, check this recipe out. Thank me in advance. This one is a keeper, too, and certainly not as much of a time suck.
I highly recommend these for the next sporting event you host. Your guests will be wowed and plump with soft pretzel bites! Plus, they’re a Bobby Flay recipe…there’s no going wrong 
Soft Pretzel Bites from Bobby Flay, as seen on Two Peas & Their Pod & What Megan’s Making
1 1/2 cups warm water (105-110 F, no warmer!)
2 Tbsp light brown sugar
1 package (1 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
3 oz (6 Tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp canola oil
3 quarts water
1/2 cup baking soda
1 whole egg, beaten +1 Tbsp cold water
Coarse sea salt
Directions:
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the water, sugar, yeast, and butter and mix with the dough hook until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes. Add the salt and flour and mix on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium and knead until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl, about 3 to 4 minutes. If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Remove the dough from the bowl, place on a flat surface and knead into a ball with your hands.
Oil a bowl with canola oil, add the dough and turn to coat with the oil. Cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 425 F. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot over high heat and add the baking soda.
Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a flat surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each piece into a long rope measuring about 22 inches. Cut the dough into one inch pieces. In small batches (about 15 at a time), boil the pretzel bites in the water solution for about 30 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon and place pretzel bites on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Make sure they are not touching. Brush the tops with the egg wash and season with coarse sea salt. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove to a baking rack and let rest 5 minutes before eating. Yield: ~100 bites (10 servings, 10 bites each).
Note: These are best warm, but are still good at room temperature. They are best served the day they’re made.
Nutrition Information (per 10 bites): 261 calories; 7.7 g. fat; 11 mg. cholesterol; ???* sodium; 42.1 g. carbohydrate; 0 g. fiber; 5.7 g. protein
*The sodium content cannot be calculated based on the baking soda bath used to boil the bites before baking — I don’t know how much is absorbed.
Result: These were fun & really good! And they were a lot easier to make than the Soft Seasoned Pretzels I made for Super Bowl. They weren’t quite as good, but they were close. Maybe I just prefer the pretzel shape? I don’t know But these were very good and a lot simpler! The recipe makes a ton, so either halve the recipe, or make them for a crowd! Enjoy!
Update: I had an appointment with my doctor yesterday. She disagrees with my “diagnosis” of esophageal spasms and GERD; she believes my issues to be stemming from gallbladder issues. For now, I am to just monitor symptoms and keep her updated. The next step would be a gallbladder scan and to go from there. Thanks again for all the well wishes — you guys are the bestest! 
Question: What “holiday” is tomorrow?
…I’m rather excited for it! 
Happy Fat Tuesday!
Those pretzel bites looks great! Beautiful coloring. I’ve never made homemade soft pretzels or bites, but my husband has been dying for some so I’ll be trying this recipe soon!
Tomorrow is….ASH WEDNESDAY!! Which doesn’t mean anything to me, really. I am not doing lent this year, and I’ll be honest, I think I’ve done it once in my whole life.
These pretzels look marvelous. Thanks for the delicious recipe!!
Glad to hear you’re doing better and there is a possibility of a diagnosis soon. How frustrating…right?! I hope the pain doesn’t come back. I remember my mom when she had gallbladder issues. I Was five and when I say her cry I was so sad for her
I had similar symptoms and they discovered a few stones in my gallbladder with an ultrasound. My doc said that once a patient experiences symptoms, they will continue to have symptoms and they will most likely get worse. I had my gall bladder out without any problems! The surgery wasn’t bad and I think it was totally worth it. Don’t be afraid if that’s what they want to do! You can email me if you have any questions
This is a huge weakness of mine! I LOVE soft pretzel bites
I loooooove soft pretzels! I’ve been seeing these little guys everywhere and so tempted to make them! You may have just sealed the deal! YUM!
These count as a food group, right?
Lazy Sundays are the PERFECT time to get in the kitchen and make absolutely ridiculous things! These pretzel bites are so cute and look so delicious! I might be tempted to cover them in cinnamon sugar though. Just saying.
(And I WILL respond to your email later today, I promise!)
Yum….I am a sucker for soft pretzels. You know, a similar recipe to this has been sitting in my “Want to make” file for some time now. lol Yours look scrumptious!
I hope the gallbladder issues resolve themselves with minimal intervention!
happy Mardi Gras, Nicole! “laissez les bons temps rouler!”
Wow – your dough looks amazing and perfect (as do the bites!). Have you tossed them in a bit of butter, cinnamon and sugar yet? Now that would be delicious!
You sound so much better – I can feel it through your blog
. Hopefully it’s true. Those pretzel bites look awesome!! Happy Tuesday to you.
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday! I love pretzel bites….these look so awesome!
Mmmm…looks tasty! Good luck with the gallbladder! It can be a pain, but learning what triggers it is very helpful (lots of avocado, shortening, or meat does it for me). Thank you for the help you gave me with it–I hope you get things figured out!
Oh dear, soft pretzels are definitely my weakness. I want these NOW!!
These look amazing! How long did the recipe take you – from start to finish?
I want to make so many of your recipes but always worry they will be too time intensive….?!
I hope you’re OK!
And these pretzel bites look so good. They remind me of Auntie Anne’s.
never seen those…
My thoughts are with you, everything will turn out okay!
These pretzel bites look drool worthy!! You know what they will be perfect for? March Madness get togethers!
These little bites look so good! I could definitely see me enjoying them. Labor intensive recipes can be a blast pb weekends when time isn’t an issue.
Can I just say YUM! I swear, pretzels are my weakness. These bites look just too good to not make. I am going to have to give them a spin.
We follow some of the same blogs! I have seen these and put them on my “must make” list!! They look awesome! I was diagnosed with GERD a few months ago, the symptoms were making me miserable…but I’m thinking that would be better than gallbladder?! Hope it can be resolved easily!
RD DAY!!!!!! YAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!
Those pretzel bites look amazing! I have an obession with soft pretzels. I buy them at the school snack stand twice a week because they are so good! I’d love to make them myself…not only will they be healthier, but I’ll also save some money. YAY!
Ok, I need to make these!
Wow, those look so fantastic! My mouth is watering just looking at them.