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    Home » Recipes » Appetizer

    Soft Pretzel Nuggets

    Modified: Mar 20, 2024 · Published: Aug 22, 2012 by Tonia Larson

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    ↓ JUMP TO RECIPE

    This copycat recipe for soft pretzels is inspired by Auntie Anne’s soft pretzel nuggets. They make a great after school snack and are a fun way to start cooking with kids.

    pretzel nuggets in paper cup

    One of our favorite things at the mall are the Auntie Anne’s soft pretzels. We’ve enjoyed many of the varieties, but my kids’ favorite is the pretzel nuggets. I decided to try making them at home and have my kids help me. Vanessa was really excited, but Zack was hesitant to do it with us, but once we got going he really enjoyed it.

    yeast in bowl

    First, dissolve 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in 1 ½ cups warm water

    dough in mixer

    Stir in 4 cups of flour. I used my Kitchen Aid and dough hook.

    dough on dough hook

    Knead until smooth and elastic. I let my mixer do the work but this could also be done by hand in the traditional way.

    dough in bowl

    Place dough in a well oiled bowl and turn to coat.

    risen dough

    Cover and let rise for one hour until doubled in size.

    dough on floured surface

    Preheat oven to 425°F. Turn dough onto floured surface.

    segments of dough

    Pat down and cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and cut into small sections.

    baking soda water

    Dissolve ¼ cup of baking soda in 2 cups of warm water.

    dip dough in baking soda water

    Dip pretzel pieces into baking soda solution.

    dough segments on baking sheet

    Place on a greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle pieces with kosher salt.

    baked pretzel nuggets

    Bake for 7-8 minutes until golden brown.

    pretzel nugget in melted butter

    Dip each nugget in melted butter and they are ready to eat! We tried sprinkling on additional kosher salt, but it was too much. The kids also tried sprinkling on cinnamon and sugar which they thought was delicious as well!

    pretzel nuggets in paper cup

    I quickly folded a paper cup and the kids ran some pretzel nuggets over to our neighbor. Everyone thought they were delicious and my kids keep asking to make them again.

    Auntie Anne's copycat pretzel nuggets.

    Auntie Anne’s Copycat Soft Pretzel Nuggets

    This copycat recipe for soft pretzels is inspired by Auntie Anne's soft pretzel nuggets. They make a great after school snack and are a fun way to start cooking with kids.
    4.53 from 116 votes
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    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes
    Inactive Time: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 23 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
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    Ingredients

    • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
    • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 ½ cups warm water
    • 4 cups flour
    • ¼ cup baking soda
    • 2 cups warm water
    • 1 tablespoon pretzel salt for topping
    • ½ cup butter, melted

    Instructions

    • Dissolve yeast, sugar and salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water.
    • Stir in flour.
    • Knead until smooth and elastic.
    • Place dough in a well oiled bowl and turn to coat.
    • Cover and let rise for one hour.
    • Preheat oven to 425°F.
    • Turn dough onto floured surface. Pat down and cut into 12 equal pieces.
    • Roll each piece into a rope and cut into small sections.
    • Dissolve baking soda in 2 cups warm water.
    • Dip dough pieces into baking soda solution.
    • Place pieces on a greased cookie sheet.
    • Sprinkle with pretzel salt.
    • Bake at 425˚F for 7-8 minutes until golden brown.
    • Dip each nugget in melted butter after baking.
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    Notes

    Makes 60 pretzel nuggets with a serving size of 5 per person.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 5nuggets | Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 1525mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Vitamin C: 0.002mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 2mg
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Author: Tonia Larson

    recipe inspired by Mall Pretzels

    Looking for other after school snacks?
    Try making Baked Mozzarella Cheese Sticks or Mini Fruit Pizza

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      Blueberry Salsa
    • Sweet corn flatbread pizza recipe.
      Sweet Corn Flatbread Pizza
    • Dill pickle salsa in a wooden bowl surrounded by tortilla chips.
      Dill Pickle Salsa
    • Spicy Chex mix recipe served in a wooden bowl.
      Spicy Snack Mix

    About Tonia Larson

    Hi! I’m Tonia, the owner and recipe creator at The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 14+ years! My family-friendly meals, easy side dishes, and delicious desserts include mouthwatering photos, dynamic videos, and step-by-step instructions to help you cook at home.

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    Comments

      4.53 from 116 votes (110 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jingle says

      August 29, 2012 at 5:26 pm

      These seem doable! And they look amazing! Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
    2. Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke Photography says

      August 29, 2012 at 4:47 am

      YUM!!! I love pretzel bread so much!!!

      Reply
    3. Stephanie @ henry happened says

      August 28, 2012 at 7:21 pm

      Oh, I must make these! We’ve become a bit obsessed with these yummy nuggets on the last couple of trips to the mall – and I bet Caro would love to make some at home!

      Reply
    4. Ashley says

      August 28, 2012 at 7:00 am

      These look so good!!! I love pretzels from the mall 🙂

      Reply
    5. Angela Pachuski says

      August 27, 2012 at 7:03 pm

      These were SO good! 5 stars! Have you ever tried to freeze to dough or the pretzel bites?

      Reply
      • Tonia L says

        August 28, 2012 at 3:10 am

        I am so happy to hear that you made these and that they turned out! Thanks for taking the time to stop back to tell me! I am sorry but I have never tried freezing the dough or the pretzel bites…we ended up eating all of them. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Debt Free Mommy says

      August 27, 2012 at 1:42 pm

      It’s party time at Debt Free Mommy blog and you’re invited! Please join us and link up with Making Space Mondays, where we link up any post(s)about making our space better. We hope to see you there! -Tabitha

      Reply
    7. Kelly Rowe says

      August 27, 2012 at 12:31 pm

      Yumm-o! I {love} Auntie Anne’s, so I pinned this one for safe keeping 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Hugs!!

      Reply
    8. Jenny Yarbrough says

      August 27, 2012 at 3:21 am

      Tonia, you are not helping me here. I just (well, not just. It took a long time) lost about 10 pounds. I think I might eat that back in pretzel bites this week. YUM!!!!!

      Reply
    9. Heather Kinnaird says

      August 25, 2012 at 11:01 pm

      oh my – they look delicious! we love annies pretzles

      Reply
    10. Anne @ Domesblissity says

      August 25, 2012 at 11:08 am

      I’ve never heard of these before but OMG Tonia. They look gorgeous! Yummo!Anne xx

      Reply
    11. Lyuba @ Will Cook For Smiles says

      August 24, 2012 at 1:22 pm

      Holy…moly!! Drooling….

      Reply
    12. daria says

      August 23, 2012 at 6:21 pm

      these seem like a great snack, and I love the way they look in the paper and string!

      Reply
    13. Britni@Hubby Made Me says

      August 23, 2012 at 5:58 am

      Ah! These are so cute! I love homemade recipes and the way you packaged them is adorable. Grr, if only I could remember how to fold a paper cup! I’ll have to google it 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing, I’m pinning this for later! I’d love if you shared this at my Throwback Thursday party. I hope to see you there! http://www.hubbymademe.com/throwback-thursday-no-7/

      Reply
    14. Devon Riesenberg says

      August 23, 2012 at 5:48 am

      these look mouthwatering Tonia! I could pop them in my mouth all day! I love making homemade pretzels, but the bite-sized idea is great!

      Reply
    15. cherylab says

      August 23, 2012 at 3:15 am

      Yummy !! Gotta go see if I have the ingredients to make these if not look out store here I come !! Thank You

      Reply
    16. 2busy says

      August 22, 2012 at 11:33 pm

      Okay, NOW I’m hungry. Just may need to try those.

      Reply
    17. Crystal says

      August 22, 2012 at 9:26 pm

      Yum, those look amazing! We don’t have an Auntie Anne’s so I’ll have to try these out. 🙂

      Reply
    18. Jennifer @ Delightfully Noted says

      August 22, 2012 at 8:29 pm

      Oh dear, dear Tonia. You are a woman after my heart. Soft pretzels are my weakness and I can never walk by an Auntie Annes withoutstopping! Delicious.

      Reply
    19. Holly @ abakershouse.com says

      August 22, 2012 at 7:59 pm

      Great photos and the food sounds perfect. I am going to try these at my house soon. I think they’d be perfect for a kids’ playdate too– bite size and yummy!

      Reply
    20. Jess says

      August 22, 2012 at 7:28 pm

      These look fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing, the step-by-step pictures are so helpful. Looks like I am making pretzels tonight… 🙂

      Reply
    Newer Comments »
    Tonia Larson from The Gunny Sack.

    Hi, I'm Tonia! Welcome to The Gunny Sack, where I’ve shared easy recipes for busy people for 14+ years! Meet Tonia Larson →

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