Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites Recipe
Delightfully soft and chewy sourdough discard pretzel bites made from leftover starter. These easy-to-make snacks are boiled briefly in a baking soda bath to achieve a classic pretzel crust, then baked to golden perfection and sprinkled with flaky sea salt. Perfect for serving warm with your favorite dipping sauce, these pretzel bites provide a great way to reduce waste and enjoy a tasty treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 52 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 30 pretzel bites 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup sourdough starter (discard)
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Boiling and Topping
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Mix Liquids and Seasonings: In a large bowl, combine the sourdough starter, warm water, sugar, and salt. Stir well to mix all liquids and dissolve the sugar and salt evenly.
- Add Flour and Form Dough: Gradually add the all-purpose flour into the liquid mixture while stirring until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead it for approximately five minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Rest the Dough: Cover the dough and let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes to relax and develop structure.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) to get ready for baking the pretzel bites.
- Prepare Boiling Soda Bath: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and carefully add the baking soda, allowing it to dissolve completely. This solution will help create the pretzel’s characteristic crust.
- Shape Pretzel Bites: Divide the rested dough into small, bite-sized pieces and shape each into a bite-sized round or knot.
- Boil Pretzel Bites: Boil the shaped bites in the baking soda water for about 30 seconds each. Remove them with a slotted spoon and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Season: Sprinkle the boiled pretzel bites generously with flaky sea salt while still wet to adhere well.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the pretzel bites for 10 to 12 minutes until they turn a deep golden brown color.
- Serve Warm: Remove from oven and serve the pretzel bites warm, paired with your favorite dipping sauce such as mustard or cheese dip.
Notes
- If you prefer a softer bite, reduce boiling time slightly.
- You can use gluten-free flour blend to make these gluten-free, but texture may vary.
- Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container; reheat in oven to retain crispiness.
- Experiment with toppings by adding garlic powder, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds instead of sea salt.
Keywords: sourdough discard, pretzel bites, snack, baking soda bath, baking, easy pretzel recipe, sourdough snack
