So, I have good news and I have bad news.
The bad news is that I made these pretzel nuggets to use as part of another recipe that was going to blow all of our minds. Like, unbelievable recipe idea, you guys. But, I couldn’t complete the recipe, because my daughter ate every single one of these pretzel nuggets right off of the baking sheet as they came out of the oven. Every. Single. One.
The good news is that I made pretzel nuggets that were so good they were more or less inhaled in about 3 minutes flat.
I’m waiting to make these again when my daughter is not around so that I can complete the other recipe. I just don’t trust her around pretzel nuggets anymore. She’s got this hungry look in her eyes and I just know she’s waiting for me to pull another pan of pretzel nuggets from the oven.
Anyway, if you’ve ever been to a shopping mall, you know that Auntie Anne’s makes some delicious pretzels and probably those mall pretzels are your favorite part about shopping trips. Now you can make them at home, easily, with about 30 minutes of hands on time.
Pretzel Nuggets
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups warm water about 110 degrees
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup bread flour may use all-purpose
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups hot water
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- Kosher salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Stir in both flours and the salt. Mix on medium speed, about 8 minutes, or until dough is soft, smooth, and elastic.
- Transfer dough to an oiled bowl and let rise until doubled in a warm place free of drafts, about 1 hour.
- Add the hot water and baking soda to a medium bowl and stir to dissolve the baking soda.
- Grab a handful of dough and roll it into a long, thin snake, about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 1-inch pieces.
- Dunk each piece in the baking soda solution using a slotted spoon. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to dry for about 30 seconds. Remove to a well greased baking sheet. When the baking sheet is full, set aside to rise for 15 more minutes.
- Continue filling baking sheets with pretzel nuggets and bake, one sheet at a time, in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Brush with the melted butter and sprinkle with salt.
- Serve with warm cream cheese, queso dip, or your favorite sauce for dipping.
Nick says
The only issue I have here is the stated time. It’s not 30 minutes of prep time. It’s 20 minutes to make the dough, an hour for the rise, and then 20-30 minutes to slice, roll, cut, soda dip, drain, and finally tray. After the bake you then have to dip or brush all the nuggets with butter and try to get the salt to stick ( I ended up just grinding sea salt over the buttered nuggets). The end result is equal to or better than Auntie Anne’s and well worth the time. Give yourself 2 hours at a minimum to get your pretzel nugget fix.
Karly says
Hey Nick! You’re totally right! Back in the day, the recipe cards only had slots for prep (hands on time) and cook time, so it wasn’t easy to add all that info. But we have more options now and I’ll update that. 🙂
Dianne says
Wish I knew if GF 1 to 1 flour would work. The flour is $$$$, so I don’t want to waste it on something that won’t “turn out” right.
Karly says
We don’t have gluten issues, so I’ve never worked with the GF flour myself. Not sure how it would work here.
Kelley says
haha! I totally understand cooking when the kids are not around. Mine are the same way. If I could cook and photograph at night while they were asleep.. I just might. ha! These look delicious too! Love a good pretzel nugget!
Josh says
Any ideas how I could make these without a stand mixer? Would a stainless bowl and elbow grease do the trick? I think my wife and kids would go nuts for these, especially with some queso.
Karly says
@Josh,
Yep, I think it would work just fine so long as you’re sure to knead it until it’s smooth and elastic. 🙂 Have fun!
Joanne says
Well given how much I want to stick my hands through the computer and into that bowl to grab some…I totally understand where your daughter was coming from.
tori says
These look so good! I have some brothers who would go crazy for these. Totally going to make them.
Katrina @ WVS says
lol, as if she ate them ALL!! Too funny. I would too though, I mean, they look freaking perfect!
tahnycooks says
I don’t blame your daughter for eating them all! I would’ve too! Put a pretzel in front of my face and I have no will power! These look perfect!
Matt Robinson says
Karly, these are awesome! We buy these all the time at the mall and I had no idea they were so easy to make. Can’t wait to try these with my boys, thanks!
Belinda@themoonblushbaker says
That sauce and those little bites are making so hungry right now!
Medeja says
They look so cute 🙂 and addictive
Chloe @ foodlikecake says
Mmm, I love Auntie Ann’s Pretzels. Totally need to make these 🙂