Soft Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites

Soft, chewy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, these Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. They are a lot like traditional soft sourdough pretzels but the bite-size pieces are much easier to make! You can whip these up in less than an hour and have a note-worthy appetizer or side dish to show for it. They make a great savory snack, a fun game-day appetizer, or a special BBQ side dish. I love to top them with flaky sea salt or everything bagel seasoning and then dip them into melted garlic butter. My ultimate favorite is dipping them into a homemade fresh tzatziki sauce.

Tell me about these sourdough discard pretzel bites!

The first time I tried pretzel bites, I knew I had to make them into a recipe with sourdough. A hot, fresh-out-of-the-oven sourdough pretzel bite sprinkled with sea salt, dipped into tzatziki sauce? Say no more! I was hooked.

You will enjoy making this recipe because it is simple and yields soft sourdough pretzel bites that look amazing. There will be no leftovers once your family gets a hold of them. This is such a great way to use up excess sourdough starter. It has no complicated shaping or proofing. It is a great finger food to bring to a baby shower or family get-together. If you love traditional soft pretzels, this is the recipe for you.

These easy sourdough pretzel bites are very similar to traditional homemade soft pretzels. They have a soft, slightly chewy golden texture but with a sourdough twist. You could also make this recipe into sourdough discard pretzels, but I think the bite-sized pieces are much cuter!

Using up Sourdough Discard

This is a recipe designed to use up that extra sourdough discard. That is why the recipe also contains yeast. The yeast helps the pretzel dough rise because the sourdough discard is sluggish and won’t be strong enough to get a light, fluffy dough. You can use an active sourdough starter as well. Keep in mind if your sourdough starter is firm and not runny, you might need to use less flour. Always add flour slowly when making your dough. I love the depth of flavor the sourdough starter gives to the pretzel bites, and it’s a great way to not be wasteful!

If you love simple sourdough discard recipes, make sure to check out my other sourdough recipes! Like my favorite Sourdough Discard Cheesy Bread or quick and easy Sourdough Flatbread. Craving something sweet? Try out my White Chocolate and Cranberry Sourdough Scones or Sourdough Rhubarb Muffins. 

If you bake with sourdough and fresh milled grains, check out my Fresh Milled Sourdough Bread recipe. It’s a perfect beginner recipe to learn how to make soft sourdough sandwich bread. 

Dips and Sauces for Sourdough Pretzel Bites

When making pretzel bites, you have to make a dip along with it. Or 2 dips! I love having a variety. If you run low on time, you could make a simple warm garlic butter.

Warm Garlic Butter

Melt 4 tbsp of butter, add 1/4 tsp garlic powder and salt to taste.

My favorite dip is this amazing tzatziki sauce with sour cream.

Different variations for Sourdough discard Pretzel Bites

• Top the pretzel bites with everything bagel spice 
• Place a candied jalapeno on top before baking
• After brushing with the egg wash, sprinkle with parmesan cheese before baking
• For a sweet treat, you can toss them brush them with melted butter and toss them with cinnamon sugar after baking

Ingredients for Soft Sourdough Pretzel Bites

Warm Milk – Warm the milk to between 110 and 115 F. Don’t boil it.

Brown Sugar

Salt – I prefer to use pink Himalayan salt

Active Dry Yeast – you can use instant yeast as well using the same method

All-Purpose Flour – this recipe is made with all-purpose flour. However, if you have bread flour, you can use that too.

Sourdough Discard – If your sourdough discard isn’t runny, you might need to use less flour. Add flour carefully to the dough. Add just enough to get a nice soft dough, but not sticky. The mixing bowl should be clean.

Melted butter 

​Baking Soda Wash

7 cups boiling water

1/3 cup baking soda

Is the Baking Soda Wash necessary?

The baking soda bath is very important for creating that unique pretzel taste. Dipping the pretzel dough into the boiling water and soda combination creates the familiar chewy texture and adds a deep rich golden brown color to the baked pretzel bite. The boiling water also helps keep the shape of the pretzel bite so they don’t get too big in the oven. For best results, I highly recommend taking the time to do this step!

How to make Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites

Heat milk on the stove between 110 and 115 F. Do not boil. 

In your stand mixer bowl with the dough hook attachment, combine the warm milk, brown sugar, and yeast. Wait 5 minutes for the yeast to activate. Add salt, sourdough discard, and melted butter. Slowly add the flour until the dough forms a ball. If you have bread flour, you can use that too in the same amount. The sides of the bowl should be clean. Knead dough until smooth. If the dough is too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until you get the desired result. 

Place the dough in a greased medium-sized bowl and cover with a tea towel or plastic wrap. Set in a warm place. Let the dough rise for 30 minutes or until doubled in size. 

Preheat oven to 425. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. If you don’t have a large one, 2 medium ones will do. Combine water and baking soda in a pot and bring to a soft boil. Do not skip this step. Boiling the pretzel bites in a baking soda water bath is what gives them that unique pretzel look. 

Place the dough on your work surface and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into 3/4-inch thick ropes. Use a sharp knife to cut into small bite-sized pieces. About 1 inch long bite-sized pieces. 

Cover the pretzel bites with a towel while you boil them in batches.

Place your sheet pan next to the pot. Transfer 12 to 15 bites into the softly boiling water for 20 seconds. They should float. Take a slotted spoon and transfer the boiled bites to the parchment-covered pan. Shake off the excess water. Spread the bites apart so they aren’t touching. Repeat until all the bites are boiled. Lightly brush the top of each bite with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt. (OPTIONAL – If you want an authentic pretzel bite look, take a pair of scissors and snip the top of every bite. This allows the pretzel bite to expand higher, and also creates a unique look.) 

If you are choosing a different variation, now is the time to do it. Sprinkle with pretzel salt, coarse salt, or everything bagel seasoning if you prefer. Or if you like a spicier version, you can sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and place a candied jalapeno slice or fresh jalapeno slices on top of each pretzel bite. Or just top some of them with grated cheddar cheese. 

Bake the pretzel bites until they have a golden color. About 12 to 15 minutes at 425 F. You can also brush them with butter after baking for extra buttery pretzel bites. Serve warm. Pretzel bites taste best served fresh from the oven or on the same day. You can reheat the extras the next day, but they might not be as soft. 

For cinnamon sugar topping, brush with melted butter. Combine 1/2 cup brown sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon and toss the pretzel bites for a sweet treat. 

Storing and Freezing Sourdough Pretzel Bites

If you won’t be serving all of the pretzel bites on the same day you bake them, omit any topping like salt or bagel spices. Bake as directed and allow them to cool completely. Place them into an airtight container and store them at room temperature. When you are ready to serve them, place the pretzel bites on a baking sheet, brush them lightly with water, and bake them at 350 F or until warm. Serve with a dip or garlic butter. 

For freezing homemade pretzel bites, don’t add any toppings. Just bake, let them cool completely, and freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat frozen sourdough pretzel bites, you don’t need to thaw them. Just place them on a baking sheet, brush lightly with water, and bake at 350 for 7 to 10 minutes or until warm. 

If you love this recipe, please follow Homemaker In Me on Pinterest for more sourdough recipes!