These cinnamon sugar pretzel bites are the perfect combination of classic pretzel and warm churro, truly the best of both worlds. They’re quick to make, cozy to share, and always a crowd-pleaser. If you’re looking for an easy Holiday snack that feels special, keep reading. My crew asks for these pretzel bites all the time, and honestly, I’m happy to whip them up. Let me share why these have become our new fall snack.
Why You’ll Love These Pretzels
- From scratch, but simple: These homemade cinnamon sugar pretzel bites come together easily with basic pantry ingredients and no fancy tools needed.
- Golden, soft, and chewy: Every bite has that classic pretzel texture with a warm, buttery flavor that tastes like they are fresh from the bakery.
- Cinnamon sugar magic: Gives these pretzel bites a fun dessert twist that feels like a tasty churro moment at home.
- Make-ahead friendly: You can prepare the dough in advance and let it rest in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
- Fun for everyone: This recipe is perfect for kids, beginner bakers, or families who love hands-on baking days together.
Jump to:
Ingredients for cinnamon sugar pretzel bites
Don’t worry, the full ingredient list is in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.
- Warm water: Helps the yeast wake up and start bubbling. Think cozy bath, not boiling teapot.
- Active dry yeast: The secret to fluffy, soft pretzels that rise beautifully.
- Brown sugar: Adds that deep bakery-style flavor. It’s like the flavor version of a warm hug.
- Baking soda bath: This quick dunk before baking gives the pretzels their iconic chewy texture and golden crust.
- Butter: Makes the dough rich and tender. It is also key for the cinnamon sugar coating.
- Cinnamon + sugar: Sweet, crunchy, cozy topping that transforms basic pretzels into an irresistible dessert snack, you “can’t stop eating”.
Substitutions/Variations
- Brown sugar: Replace it with honey or maple syrup for a softer sweetness and a hint of natural flavor.
- Cinnamon sugar mix: Try pumpkin spice or apple pie spice for a fall-inspired twist. Both pair perfectly with the buttery dough.
- Savory version: Skip the cinnamon sugar and sprinkle everything bagel seasoning, garlic salt, or parmesan on top before baking for a savory snack.
- Chocolate lovers: Drizzle your warm pretzels with melted chocolate or dip them in Nutella for a dessert-style treat.
- Make it festive: Add colored sugar or drizzle caramel for a fun holiday version that looks as good as it tastes.
How to make cinnamon sugar pretzel bites
- Activate the yeast: Mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it bloom, that’s when it starts to foam.
- Make the dough: Combine flour, salt, butter, and brown sugar until a soft dough ball forms.
- Rise time: Cover and let it double in size.
- Shape & cut: Roll into ropes and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Boil in a baking soda bath: 30 seconds is all it takes for that classic chewy pretzel texture.
- Bake to golden perfection: 12 – 14 minutes in the oven.
- Coat in cinnamon sugar: Melted butter + cinnamon + sugar = pretzel delight.
Skip the guesswork and scroll down to the recipe card for the full, exact recipe!
Baker’s Notes
- Expert tip: Boil the pretzel bites just before baking for the best chewy texture and golden color. This small step makes a huge difference in homemade pretzels.
- Kid-friendly and fun: This recipe is perfect for families and beginners. Rolling and shaping dough can be a hands-on activity kids love, teaching basic baking skills while creating a delicious snack.
- Mixing the dough: Use a Danish dough whisk, a mixing spoon, or your hands. Stand-up mixers work too. Avoid using a hand mixer because the dough is too thick and sticky.
- Butter temperature matters: Make sure the melted butter is cooled below 100°F before adding it. Hot butter can kill the yeast and affect your rise.
- Rising tips: Let the dough double in size for the softest, fluffiest pretzels. A warm, draft-free spot is best.
- Storage: Keep baked cinnamon sugar pretzel bites at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: Warm pretzel bites in an air fryer at 300°F for 5 minutes or microwave for 10 – 15 seconds. They’ll taste freshly baked every time.
- Flavor twists: Swap cinnamon sugar for pumpkin spice, nutmeg, or ginger for a fall-inspired version. You can also serve with chocolate, caramel, or cream cheese dips.
- Make-ahead dough: Dough can rest in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep it tightly wrapped and don’t cut until ready to bake. This makes baking convenient and stress-free.
What to serve with cinnamon sugar pretzel bites
These are dangerously good on their own, but if you want to go all out:
- With Easy Homemade Eggnog.
- Try chocolate or caramel sauce for dipping.
- Add cream cheese icing.
- Drizzle warm vanilla glaze.
- Don’t forget hot cocoa or your favorite coffee drink for dunking.
Expand your baking collection
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FAQ
Why do pretzels need a baking soda bath?
That’s what gives them their signature chewy texture and deep golden crust. It’s a little step that makes a big difference.
Can I freeze pretzel dough?
Yes! Wrap tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before shaping and baking.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but you might need to bake in batches. (Or invite a few friends over for a pretzel-making night!)
Ready to bake?
Making pretzels from scratch might sound fancy, but it’s really just flour, yeast, and a little kitchen fun. These Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites prove that homemade can taste even better than store-bought.
Try them once, and they’ll become your go-to snack for the holidays, a must-have at your next get-together, or just-because.
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and a quick comment below. It helps others find The Kitchen Bucket List recipes, too.
And don’t forget to tag me @thekitchenbucketlist on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube! So I can see your delicious creations and share in your kitchen wins!
📖 Recipe
Cinnamon sugar pretzel bites
From The Kitchen Bucket List, this recipe teaches you how to make soft, pillowy cinnamon sugar pretzels from scratch. Chewy like a pretzel and sweet like a churro, they taste like a bakery treat right at home. Perfect for snacks, fall baking, or parties. Easy for beginners and fun for the whole family. Your new favorite homemade treat awaits.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
- 5 qt Pot
- Cookie sheet
Ingredients
Pretzel Dough:
- 1 ½ cups warm water 95℉ to 100℉
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 4 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons melted butter cooled
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
Baking Soda Bath:
- Water (Pot to ¾ full)
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
Cinnamon Sugar Mixture:
- 6 tablespoons melted butter cooled
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
Pretzel Dough:
- In a large bowl, add the water, yeast, and granulated sugar. Gently mix and let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast blooms.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour and salt together.
- Once the yeast has bloomed, add half of the flour mixture to the yeast. Mix well.
- Add the melted, cooled butter and brown sugar to the mixture. Mix to combine all ingredients.
- Add the remaining flour. Mix to incorporate the flour. You may use a mixing spoon or a Danish dough whisk, but I found it much easier just to mix with my hand.
- Once you have a dough ball, keep mixing for 3 – 4 minutes. Mix in the bowl or on a lightly floured surface.
- Place the dough ball in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise for 60 – 90 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
- 10 minutes before the dough is done rising, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Preheat the oven to 425℉.
- Once the dough has finished rising, divide it into 6 equal balls.
- Roll each dough ball into a 20-inch rope.
- Cut the ropes into 1 ½ to 2-inch pieces. Set aside.
Baking Soda Bath
- Once the water is boiling, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the water.
- Boil each dough bite for 30 – 45 seconds.
- Place them on a cookie sheet, leaving some space in between each piece.*NOTE* You will need to do this in batches. I did 3 batches. I did not refrigerate the dough, but you can if your kitchen is too hot. Also, you can boil all your pretzel bites and place them on different cookie sheets, or wait to boil them until your first cookie sheet is ready to use again.
Baking and Coating
- Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 12 – 14 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- Cool on a cooling rack while you are baking the remaining pretzels.
- Once all the pretzel bites are completely cooled, place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the melted butter over and mix to coat each bite.
- Sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture and mix to coat each one.
- Sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar. Mix well.
- Serve and Enjoy!
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