Name: Vegan Pretzel Bites Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 packet instant yeast; 1 1/4 cups warm water; 2 tablespoons light brown sugar; 3 1/4 cups all purpose flour, plus more as needed; 1 teaspoon salt; 12 cups water; 1/2 cup baking soda; 3-4 tablespoons vegan butter, melted; 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 15 reviews

If you love snacking on soft, salty, and perfectly chewy treats, then you’re in for a real delight today with my Vegan Pretzel Bites Recipe. These little doughy gems are incredibly satisfying to make and even more fun to eat. They’re perfect for game nights, quick snacks, or even a cozy movie evening. Honestly, once you try this recipe, you’ll wonder why you ever bought pretzels from the store!

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry basics but transforms them into something extraordinary.
Perfect Texture: Achieves that classic soft chewiness with a golden, slightly crisp crust.
Vegan & Accessible: No animal products required, and easy for home cooks of all skill levels.
Fun to Make and Customize: You can easily tweak flavors or toppings for your perfect snack.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Vegan Pretzel Bites Recipe plays a role in delivering the authentic soft pretzel experience—no compromises here. From the instant yeast that gives a steady rise to the baking soda bath that creates the iconic chewy crust, this combo is a winning team.

Vegan Pretzel Bites, vegan snack recipes, homemade pretzel bites, salty vegan snacks, easy vegan pretzel recipe - Flat lay of light brown sugar scattered alongside heaping spoonfuls of instant yeast, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, a small bowl of coarse sea salt crystals, several chunks of creamy melted vegan butter, a mound of baking soda powder, a measuring cup filled with warm water, all beautifully arranged with a few twisted raw pretzel dough bites resting among the ingredients, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Instant yeast: This yeast kicks off the dough rising quickly without fuss, so your bites get that airy, fluffy goodness.
Warm water: Activates the yeast just right—too hot will kill it, too cold slows everything down.
Light brown sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness that balances the salt and aids fermentation.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of the dough, it provides structure while keeping these bites soft and tender.
Salt: Essential for flavor, and it enhances the dough’s overall taste.
Baking soda: The secret weapon for that perfect pretzel crust that browns beautifully when boiled.
Vegan butter: Brushed on top after baking for rich flavor and a beautiful sheen.
Coarse sea salt: The finishing touch that gives you pleasant bursts of salty crunch.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love mixing things up with this Vegan Pretzel Bites Recipe depending on the mood or season. It’s so versatile that you can easily make it your own. Don’t hesitate to add your favorite seasonings or dipping sauces to accompany.

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites: One of my favorites! For a sweet twist, skip the coarse salt and after baking, toss your pretzel bites in melted vegan butter and cinnamon sugar. They make divine dessert snacks.
Garlic & Herb Twist: Add dried herbs or garlic powder to the dough or sprinkle some on top with the salt for an herby flavor kick.
Spicy Kick: Try sprinkling smoked paprika or chili flakes over the bites for an unexpected but delicious spice.
Gluten-Free Version: I haven’t tested this myself, but a quality gluten-free flour mix that works for bread dough might just do the trick!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Pretzel Bites Recipe

Step 1: Activate the yeast and mix the dough

Start by warming your water (aim for about 100-110°F) and mixing in the brown sugar and yeast. Give it a few minutes—around 5 to 7—to get bubbly and foamy. If it looks flat or no bubbles appear, your yeast might be old or water too hot/cold, so swap it out for best results. Then toss in the flour and salt, mixing on low with a paddle or wooden spoon. The dough should come together into a slightly sticky ball but not cling to your hands—if it’s too sticky, sprinkle a bit more flour gradually.

Step 2: Shape and cut the dough

Dump the dough onto a clean surface, lightly flour it, and form it into a smooth ball. Divide into four equal pieces and roll each into long logs about 1 inch thick. Then slice each log into 1-inch bites. I usually get around 11-12 bites per log—just want them nice and bite-sized.

Step 3: Boil in baking soda bath

This is the special trick that transforms your dough into pretzel bites. Bring 12 cups of water to a rolling boil and slowly add the baking soda—go gentle as it bubbles up quickly. Lower the heat to maintain a gentle boil. Carefully drop in about a dozen bites at a time; after 30 seconds, they’ll float to the surface, signaling they’re ready to scoop out and cool on parchment. Keep going until all bites are boiled.

Step 4: Bake to golden perfection

Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment. Arrange your boiled pretzel bites evenly and brush each with melted vegan butter. Sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt, then bake for 12-15 minutes until the tops turn a gorgeous golden-brown. Keep an eye on them so they don’t over-bake and dry out.

Pro Tips for Making Vegan Pretzel Bites Recipe

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Water Temperature Matters: Use a thermometer if you can—yeast loves warm but not hot water.
Don’t Skip the Baking Soda Bath: It’s key for that chewy crust; boiling briefly gives pretzels their classic texture.
Roll Length Consistency: Try to make your dough logs even thickness so bites cook uniformly.
Brush Butter Warm: Melt it right before you brush so it soaks in nicely and enhances flavor.

How to Serve Vegan Pretzel Bites Recipe

Vegan Pretzel Bites, vegan snack recipes, homemade pretzel bites, salty vegan snacks, easy vegan pretzel recipe - The image shows a close-up of several golden brown, soft pretzel bites arranged on a white marbled surface. Each bite has a shiny, slightly crispy outer layer with a warm, light tan color and is topped with coarse salt grains. The texture looks smooth but with small cracks on the surface, revealing a fluffy inside. The bites are arranged in loose rows, some in focus and others slightly blurred in the background, giving a sense of depth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For me, the classic coarse sea salt just can’t be beat. It adds that satisfying bite and subtle crunch. Sometimes, I like adding a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning or even poppy seeds for extra texture and flavor. A light brush of vegan butter right when they come out of the oven makes the bites extra inviting and shinier—that’s my go-to garnish trick!

Side Dishes

I often serve my vegan pretzel bites with a tangy whole-grain mustard dip or a creamy vegan cheese sauce for that warm, melty contrast. A bowl of homemade tomato soup or chili on the side can turn these into a comforting meal on a chilly day. They’re also perfect alongside a fresh crunchy salad if you want to keep things light.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I love arranging these bites in a big pretzel-shaped ring on a wooden board with little bowls of various dips—mustard, vegan queso, garlic aioli—to encourage casual grazing. You can also thread them on skewers with cherry tomatoes and olives for a fun appetizer twist. Trust me, they disappear fast when you serve them like this!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Avoid refrigeration since it can make them tough. Just bring them out, and they’ll still be tasty within that short window.

Freezing

I’ve frozen pretzel bites before, and it works well! After baking and cooling thoroughly, pop them into a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep nicely for up to 2 months. When you want a snack, just thaw at room temp or reheat directly.

Reheating

The best way I’ve found to reheat pretzel bites is in a hot oven (about 375°F) for 5-7 minutes wrapped lightly in foil to keep moisture in. This revives the softness and melts the butter on top. If you’re in a rush, a quick zap in the microwave works but can get a bit rubbery.

FAQs

Can I use active dry yeast instead of instant yeast?

Absolutely! If you have active dry yeast, simply dissolve it in the warm water with the sugar and let it sit until bubbly, which usually takes about 10 minutes. Then proceed as usual. Instant yeast skips this step but both work well here.
Why do I have to boil the pretzel bites in baking soda water?

Boiling in a baking soda bath gives pretzels their signature chewy crust and rich brown color when baked. The alkaline bath alters the dough surface, creating that classic texture and appearance you expect from pretzels.
Can I make these gluten-free?

I haven’t tested this recipe gluten-free yet, but using a quality gluten-free flour mix designed for bread should work with some trial and error. Just remember gluten contributes to the chewiness, so results might vary.
What dips go best with vegan pretzel bites?

My personal favorites include tangy mustard, vegan cheese sauce, garlic aioli, or even a spicy sriracha mayo. They complement the salty, buttery flavor perfectly. Feel free to experiment with your favorite sauces!
How do I prevent the dough from sticking too much?

Adding flour little by little while mixing helps keep the dough manageable. Also, lightly flour your hands and work surface. The dough should be slightly sticky but not clingy. If it sticks too much, a bit more flour will save the day.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Pretzel Bites Recipe has quickly become one of my go-to snack recipes because it’s easy, reliably delicious, and endlessly customizable. I love pulling a fresh batch from the oven and watching friends dig in with a smile. Don’t let homemade pretzels intimidate you—this recipe breaks it down simply, and you’ll be so proud when you serve your perfect golden bites. Trust me, once you make them yourself, you’ll be hooked!