Oh my goodness. I have created the most addicting snack ever. Everything spice pretzel bites with garlic and chive cream cheese are now officially on the very top of my list of favorite savory snacks. These pretzel bites are so soft and buttery with a generous coating of everything spice. Paired with a garlic and chive cream cheese dip, you won't be able to stop eating these. Literally. My husband and I were standing in the kitchen chomping these down like no other. Having a party? Make a double batch of this recipe. You won't regret it.

Recipe

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Everything Spice Pretzel Bites

about 30 pretzel bites

Total Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bread

Servings: 6

Author: Christine Ma

Ingredients

Everything spice pretzel bites

• 1 cup warm water, 100-110 degrees F (250 ml)
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast (4 grams)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 ½ cups bread flour (370 grams)
• 2 tablespoon softened butter (28 grams)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups boiling water (500 ml)
• ¼ cup baking soda (57 grams)
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2-3 tablespoon everything bagel spice mix
• 2 tablespoon melted butter (28 grams)

Garlic and chive cream cheese

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Combine warm water with yeast and sugar, stirring gently. Let sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture is foamy and the yeast has been activated.
• Add bread flour, butter, and salt to the yeast and water mixture. Mix until a dough forms and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer dough to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm spot and proof until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, make the garlic and chive cream cheese. Whip together softened cream cheese with chives, garlic powder, and salt. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine boiling water with baking soda and stir until the baking soda has dissolved.
• Separate the dough into two portions. Lightly dust a clean work counter with flour. Work with one portion at a time, keeping the other covered with a clean kitchen towel. Roll the first portion into a log and cut the log into 1-inch pieces. Dip each pretzel bite into the baking soda and water solution for 30 seconds, flipping the dough over halfway through. Use a slotted spoon to take out the dough and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough.
• Whisk together the egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water. Brush the tops of the pretzel bites with the egg wash. Sprinkle everything spice on top. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until browned.
• Drizzle melted butter on top. Serve warm with garlic and chive cream cheese.

**Helpful tips and common mistakes

Okay guys, are you ready for this? These everything spice pretzel bites are easy to put together so let's get started. First, make the dough. Activate the yeast by combining it with warm water and sugar. The sugar feeds the yeast while the warm water helps it bloom. Make sure the water isn't too hot or it will kill the yeast.

Add the remaining ingredients, including the bread flour, butter, and salt, and knead until the dough becomes smooth. Use a stand mixer with a kneading attachment or get down and dirty with your hands. Transfer the dough to a bowl, cover, and let it rise until doubled in size.

While you're waiting for the dough to proof, make the garlic and chive cream cheese. Using softened cream cheese will make the process a whole lot easier. If you forgot to take the cream cheese beforehand, cut the cream cheese into smaller chunks, and zap it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Whip the ingredients together and set it aside. You can also make the cream cheese the day before, just make sure you take it out at least 30 minutes before serving to soften it up a little.

Time to roll out the dough. Divide the dough into two sections, rolling them into logs. Cut the log into 1-inch pieces and dip them in the baking soda and water solution. Keep in mind while you are cutting the dough that the pieces will rise and get larger.

When the dough is bathing in the baking soda solution, flip them over halfway through to make sure all sides are evenly coated. This solution is what helps the pretzel achieve its deep brown color and texture.

A helpful tip: when removing the pretzel bites from the baking soda solution, make sure to thoroughly drain the dough. I like to remove the dough with a slotted spoon and place them on parchment paper. Once all of the pieces have been soaked in the baking soda, I transfer all of the pieces onto a new sheet of parchment paper, discarding the old. If the parchment paper is too wet, the dough can stick to the paper while baking. I've had this happen on more than occasion and let me tell you, trying to rip the paper off pretzel bites is no easy task.

Brush the pretzel bites with the egg wash and sprinkle a generous amount of everything spice. Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until browned.

Now the finishing touch: brush melted butter on the top.

Serve the everything spice pretzel bites warm with a side of the garlic and chive cream cheese and dig in. With the first bite, my eyes rolled to the back of my head, and a loud, "Mmmmm" escaped from my lips. You know when you have an idea of what a dish will taste like and then you try it and it's SO MUCH better than expected? This was that for me. I cannot emphasize just how good they are.

Please make these pretzel bites. I urge you.

For more savory snack inspiration check out these portobello fries with cilantro lime aioli!