Are you looking for a fun and delicious way to use up that sourdough discard that’s been patiently waiting in your fridge? Look no further! These Sourdough Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites are about to become your new favorite treat. They’re incredibly simple to make, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor.

Sourdough Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites Recipe 16

These delightful little bites offer the perfect balance of salty and sweet, with a satisfying chewy texture that’s hard to resist. They’re baked to golden perfection and coated in a generous layer of cinnamon sugar, making them an ideal snack for any time of day, from a quick breakfast on the go to a cozy evening treat.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a true gem for busy families and anyone who loves a homemade treat without the fuss. It’s specifically designed to be quick and straightforward, making it perfect for novice bakers or those days when you just don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. You’ll appreciate how easily your sourdough discard transforms into something so utterly delicious, preventing food waste and creating a delightful snack all at once. These pretzel bites are fantastic for after-school snacks, weekend brunch additions, or even as a unique dessert option when entertaining. Their bite-sized nature makes them incredibly kid-friendly and easy to share, ensuring everyone gets to enjoy a piece of the magic.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for these pretzel bites is a breeze, as most items are likely already in your pantry. The star of the show, of course, is your sourdough discard, which adds a subtle tang and contributes to the wonderful texture without requiring any active fermentation time for this recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup (240g) unfed sourdough discard, straight from the fridge
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
4 cups water
2 tablespoons baking soda (for the water bath)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the sourdough discard, use unfed discard that has been in your fridge for a few days – it doesn’t need to be active or bubbly for this recipe. If you don’t have all-purpose flour, bread flour can also work, though it might result in a slightly chewier bite. When it comes to butter, unsalted is preferred so you can control the salt content, but salted butter can be used; just be mindful of the added salt in the dough. You can easily adjust the amount of cinnamon in the coating to suit your taste, adding a little more for a bolder spice flavor or slightly less for a milder touch.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

One of the best aspects of this recipe is how quickly it comes together, making it an ideal choice for a spontaneous baking session.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 12-15 minutes
Total time: 27-30 minutes

This timing includes mixing the dough, shaping the bites, the quick water bath, and baking. It’s a truly efficient recipe that delivers warm, fresh pretzel bites in under half an hour.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating these cinnamon sugar pretzel bites is a fun and straightforward process. Follow these steps for perfect results every time.

Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sourdough discard, 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix well until everything is incorporated. Gradually add the 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. It should be soft but not overly sticky.
Shape the Pretzel Bites: Divide the dough into 6-8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 1/2 inch thick. Use a sharp knife or a bench scraper to cut each rope into 1-inch pieces. These will be your pretzel bites.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Prepare the Water Bath: In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil. Carefully stir in 2 tablespoons of baking soda until it dissolves. This alkaline bath is crucial for giving the pretzels their signature chewy texture and golden-brown crust.
Boil the Pretzel Bites: Working in batches, drop the pretzel bites into the boiling baking soda solution. Let them boil for about 20-30 seconds, no longer. They will puff up slightly. Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the bites, allowing excess water to drain off, and place them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Transfer the baking sheets to the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the pretzel bites are deeply golden brown and cooked through. They should have a nice, firm exterior.
Coat with Cinnamon Sugar: While the pretzel bites are still warm from the oven, melt the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a small bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Dip each warm pretzel bite into the melted butter, ensuring it’s fully coated, then immediately roll it in the cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly covered. Serve warm and enjoy!

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

These cinnamon sugar pretzel bites are incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit different tastes and occasions. For a fun twist, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to your cinnamon sugar mixture for an extra layer of spice. If you’re feeling adventurous, a tiny sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the cinnamon sugar coating just before serving can really elevate the flavor, providing a delightful sweet and salty contrast.

For a savory option, skip the cinnamon sugar and instead brush the baked pretzel bites with melted butter and sprinkle them with coarse sea salt, garlic powder, or everything bagel seasoning. These savory bites are fantastic with a side of cheese dip or mustard.

Kids absolutely adore these! You can involve them in the shaping process, letting them roll out the dough ropes (with supervision, of course). For a party or buffet, arrange the pretzel bites on a large platter with a small bowl of cream cheese frosting or a simple vanilla glaze for dipping. They’re also wonderful served alongside a hot cup of coffee or tea for a cozy afternoon snack.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even with a simple recipe, a few common mistakes can occur. Knowing how to avoid them will ensure your pretzel bites turn out perfectly every time.

Over-kneading the dough: While some kneading is essential, over-kneading can make the dough tough. Knead just until it’s smooth and elastic, about 5-7 minutes. If it feels too stiff, stop.
Skipping the baking soda bath or boiling too long: The baking soda bath is crucial for the pretzel’s signature chewy texture and golden-brown color. Don’t skip it! However, boiling for too long (more than 30 seconds) can make the pretzels too soft or give them an unpleasant texture. Stick to the recommended time.
Not coating while warm: The melted butter and cinnamon sugar adhere best to the pretzel bites when they are still warm from the oven. If they cool down too much, the coating won’t stick as well. Work quickly after they come out of the oven.
Overcrowding the baking sheet: Placing too many pretzel bites on one baking sheet can lead to uneven baking. Give them a little space so they can bake evenly and get that lovely golden crust.
Using active sourdough starter: This recipe specifically calls for *discard*, which is unfed and less active. Using a bubbly, active starter might alter the texture and flavor, so stick to the discard for the best results.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

These sourdough cinnamon sugar pretzel bites are best enjoyed fresh and warm, but you can certainly store them or prepare them slightly ahead of time.

To store leftover pretzel bites, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They tend to lose some of their crispness over time, but they’ll still be delicious. For best results, you can quickly reheat them in a toaster oven or a regular oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes until warmed through. This will help to revive some of their texture.

If you want to make them slightly ahead, you can prepare the dough and cut the bites. After cutting, you can place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze them for about 30 minutes until firm. Then, transfer the frozen bites to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, you can boil them from frozen

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.