Get ready for the most addicting snack with these everything spice pretzel bites! Serve these warm with a garlic and chive cream cheese dip and you won't be able to resist going back for more!
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What makes this recipe special
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 top of my list of favorite savory snacks, alongside pigs in a blanket, spinach artichoke pinwheels and chickpea fritters.
These pretzel bites are soft 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. Have a party? Make a double batch of this recipe. You won't regret it.
Ingredients
- Active dry yeast: Active dry yeast is crucial for leavening the pretzel bites. It ferments the dough, producing carbon dioxide that causes it to rise and develop a light, airy texture. The yeast also contributes to the flavor of the dough, giving it that characteristic bread-like taste.
- Bread flour: Bread flour is preferred for this recipe due to its higher protein content compared to all-purpose flour.
- Baking soda: Used in the boiling water bath before baking the pretzel bites. This step is essential for creating the distinctive chewy texture of pretzels.
- Everything bagel spice mix: The everything bagel spice mix adds a burst of flavor and texture to the pretzel bites. This seasoning typically includes sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic flakes, onion flakes, and salt, creating a savory topping.
- Cream cheese: Used as the base for the cream cheese dip served with the bites.
- Chives: Add a fresh, mild onion flavor to the cream cheese dip.
Substitutions and variations
- Seasonings: You can switch up the seasonings and top the bites with sesame seeds, grated parmesan, or flaky sea salt.
- Dips: Serve these bites with other dips such as pumpkin beer cheese dip or smoked salmon dip.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Prepare dough
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.
Step 2: Make dip
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.
Step 3: Shape dough
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 it 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.
Recipe 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 it on parchment paper. Once all 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 one occasion and let me tell you, trying to rip the paper off pretzel bites is no easy task.
Step 4: Bake
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 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 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 dishes using everything spice, check out this everything spice citrus salad and everything spice biscuits!
Make-ahead and storage
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it. Allow it to come to room temperature before shaping and baking.
- Store: These are best enjoyed warm and fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container for 1-2 days. Reheat in an oven to restore crispness.
Frequently asked questions
You can make your own mix with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt, or use a similar seed and spice combination.
The yeast mixture should become foamy and bubbly within 5 minutes. If it doesn't, your yeast might be expired or the water temperature was incorrect.
The baking soda bath helps create the characteristic pretzel brown color and gives them their distinctive chewy exterior.
Yes, you can freeze them before or after baking. Thaw and reheat in the oven before serving.
More delicious snack recipes
Looking for more snack ideas? Try these:
Recipe
Everything Spice Pretzel Bites
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 tablespoons butter, softened at room temperature (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 tablespoons everything bagel spice mix
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (28 grams)
Garlic and chive cream cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- 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 of 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.
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