Baked Pretzel Bites

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups warm water (105°F-110°F)
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
• 3 ounces salted butter, melted
• 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/3 cup baking soda (for boiling the pretzels)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• coarse sea salt or coarse kosher salt

Directions

1. Combine the water, brown sugar, yeast, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix with the dough hook until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Add the salt and flour to the mixer 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.
3. Oil a bowl with olive oil, add the dough and turn to coat with the oil. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.
4. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
5. Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pan over high heat and carefully add the baking soda. Add slowly so it doesn’t boil over.
6. Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope about 20 inches long and an inch in diameter. Cut the dough into one inch pieces (a pizza cutter is perfect for this).
7. At this time, spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray, this is where you will be putting the pretzels when they come out of the soda bath.
8. Boil the pretzel bites in the water solution in batches, about 10 at a time, for about 15 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon. Place them on the cookie sheet, making sure they are not touching. Brush the tops with the egg wash and season liberally with the salt. Place into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown.