Baking, Bread, Cravings, Gluten Free, Snack

Copycat Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Bites

These gluten free pretzel bites are chewy, golden brown, and incredibly easy to make at home! They’re made with simple ingredients and your choice of either a salted butter or cinnamon sugar topping. Perfect for parties, game day, or just as a fun gluten free treat, you’ll love these from the first bite!

WHY I MADE THESE EASY GF PRETZEL BITES

Like most of my recipes, the idea for this one came about when I was walking around the mall. I was in the mood for something snacky but couldn’t decide exactly what to get. Right on cue, the scent of Auntie Anne’s pretzels wafted through the air, and I started craving it immediately.

I never did get around to ordering one of those pretzels (I’m pretty sure I opted for sushi instead), but the thought stuck with me. I remember being a kid and being so excited whenever my mom treated us to a cinnamon sugar pretzel from one of the Auntie Anne’s kiosks at our favorite mall.

While I’m not 100% gluten free, I’m pretty sure that so many gluten free folks have the same experience, where those pretzels smell sooo good but you can’t grab one because Auntie Anne’s doesn’t have any gluten free options.

And that’s where these delicious gluten free pretzel bites come in. These soft, homemade pretzel bites are chewy, golden brown, and ready to eat in under two hours. Made with gluten free flour and a classic baking soda bath, you can make these with either salted butter or cinnamon sugar!

MY VERY BEST PRETZEL BITES RECIPE

The full instructions on how to make these gluten free pretzel bites is in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post, but here’s a quick overview of how to make it.

Be sure to scroll down to the bottom to view the full recipe and get all of the measurements and instructions!

Gluten Free Pretzel Bites

Activate the yeast: Combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water and let it sit until foamy.
Make the dough: Mix in the gluten free flour, tapioca flour, baking powder, and salt until a shaggy dough forms.
Let it rise: Cover the dough and let it rest at room temperature until doubled in size.
Prep the baking soda bath: Combine water and baking soda in a large pot and heat to just below boiling.
Shape the dough: Divide the dough and roll each section into a 12″ rope. Cut into small, bite-sized pieces.
Boil the dough: Working in small batches, submerge the bites in the baking soda bath, then remove and drain.
Bake: Place the bites on lined baking sheets, brush with melted butter, add your optional toppings, and bake at 425°F until golden brown.
Finish and serve: Toss the baked pretzel bites in your chosen topping and serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce!

GLUTEN FREE PRETZEL BITES KEY INGREDIENTS

The full ingredients list is in the recipe card below, so make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see what you need to make this recipe!

Here is a quick overview of what you need to make this easy and gluten free pretzel bites at home:

Gluten Free Pretzel Bites

Dry active yeast: The leavening agent that makes the dough rise. Yeast gives these pretzel bites their light, airy texture. If you worry about working with yeast, don’t! Check out my blog post 6 REASONS WHY YOUR DOUGH DIDN’T RISE to troubleshoot any problems you may have.
Gluten Free Flour: The base of our gluten free pretzel dough. It provides structure in place of traditional wheat flour. Just make sure whatever gluten free flour blend you use contains xanthan gum, which mimics the binding and stretchy qualities of gluten. I love King Arthur’s Gluten Free Flour blend.
Tapioca flour: Adds chewiness to the dough, which is especially important when baking without gluten. Tapioca flour also helps to hold the dough together.
Baking powder: A secondary leavening agent that gives these bites their extra lift and fluff.
Melted butter: Brushed on before baking, it promotes a golden, slightly crisp exterior and adds richness. Yum!

Baking Soda Bath

Baking soda: The most important step for an authentic pretzel flavor! When the pretzel bites are dipped in the baking soda bath, the alkaline solution reacts with the dough’s surface which creates the chewy crust and deep golden-brown color that makes a pretzel a pretzel.

HOW LONG DO THESE PRETZEL BITES TAKE TO MAKE?

This gluten free pretzel bites recipe has a few different components to it, but they all come together quickly and easily. The full recipe is below, but here’s the gist of it:

Prep time: 30 mins
Rising time: 1 hour
Active time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 20 minutes

In total, this delicious gluten free pretzel bites recipe will take about 2 hours total to make.

HOW TO STORE THESE EASY PRETZEL BITES?

In my opinion, these gluten free pretzel bites are best served warm and fresh the day that you make them.

If you really want to make them ahead of time, though, store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. Reheat leftover pretzel bites in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes until warm and crisped on the outside.

GLUTEN FREE PRETZEL BITES FAQ

1. Can I use any gluten free flour blend?

You can use any gluten free flour blend you prefer, just make sure it contains xanthan gum in the ingredients list. Xanthan gum acts as a binder that replaces the gluten structure, giving these pretzel bites the same chewiness that you get from gluten baked goods.

If your gluten free flour blend doesn’t include xanthan gum, you’ll need to add about ½ tsp on your own.

By the way, my go-to gluten free flour brands are King Arthur’s Baking, and Krusteaz!

2. Why do I need a baking soda bath?

The baking soda bath is what gives pretzels their signature chewy texture, deep brown color, and slightly tangy flavor. Don’t skip it! It’s the key to making these into pretzels.

3. My dough is sticky and messy, is that normal?

Yep! Gluten free dough tends to be stickier and less smooth than traditional dough. As long as there are no dry streaks, your dough is ready is go. Dusting your work surface generously with flour will make the dough much easier to handle as you roll out it, too.

4. Can I prep these ahead of time?

In my opinion, these gluten free pretzel bites are best served warm and fresh the day that you make them.

5. Can I freeze these pretzel bites?

Yes, you can! After you bake the pretzel bites, let them cool completely then freeze them in an airtight bag for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen in a 375°F oven for about 8–10 minutes, or until warmed through.

6. How should I serve these?

I recommend serving these while they’re still fresh and warm from the oven. They also taste great when cooled. If you make the salted butter version, serve them with some queso dip or marinara. For the cinnamon sugar version, cream cheese icing or fresh fruit preserves (like raspberry) are a perfect pairing.

7. Can I make these dairy-free?

Yes, absolutely! Simply swap the butter for a dairy-free alternative like vegan butter. The texture and flavor will still be delicious.

8. My dough didn’t rise! What happened?
Oh no! I hate when that happens. Here, check out my blog post 6 REASONS WHY YOUR DOUGH DIDN’T RISE to troubleshoot the problem.

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If you love this recipe be sure to leave a review! And feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments via my Contact page. You’ll hear back from me soon!

Find even more of my homemade recipes on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube.

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Gluten Free Pretzel Bites – 2 Ways!

These gluten free pretzel bites are chewy, golden brown, and incredibly easy to make at home! They're made with simple ingredients and your choice of either a salted butter or cinnamon sugar topping. Perfect for parties, game day, or just as a fun gluten free treat, you'll love these from the first bite!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Bread, Snack

Prep Time: 45

Cook Time: 25

Resting Time: 1

Total Time: 2 10

Servings: bites

Equipment

Ingredients

Pretzel Bites

1/2 tbsp dry active yeast
1 tbsp sugar can use granulated, honey, or maple syrup
1 c warm water warmed to about about 100 F
2 c gluten free flour make sure it has xanthan gum!
1/2 c tapioca flour
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 tbsp butter melted, for brushing

Baking Soda Bath

2 liters of water
3/4 c baking soda

Salted Butter Topping

2 tbsp butter melted
1 tsp sea salt divided

Cinnamon Sugar Topping

2 tbsp butter melted
2 tbsp white sugar or coconut sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Pretzel Bites

In a large mixing bowl, add the yeast, sugar, and warm water. Stir with a wooden or metal spoon, and allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes so the yeast can activate.
Add the gluten free flour, tapioca flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Stir again until the dry ingredients incorporate with the wet ingredients.
The dough will seem shaggy and tacky to the touch–that's ok. If needed, use your hands to bring the dough together so that there are no dry streaks. It won't be pretty, and that's ok, too!
Cover the bowl and allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 1 hour. The dough will double in size.

Baking Soda Bath

Meanwhile, prepare your baking soda bath by combining the water and baking soda in a large pot. Heat to just below boiling.

Pretzel Bites, continued

Preheat the oven to 425 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside for now.
Sprinkle a light dusting of gluten free flour on top of your countertop or work surface.
Transfer the dough to the countertop, and give it a light knead to bring the dough together into a rough circle. Divide the dough into 4 separate pieces.
Adding more flour to your countertop as needed, lightly roll out the dough, once piece at a time, into a rope about 12” long. Use light hands and be careful not to tear the dough as you roll it.
If the dough tears, simply pinch the pieces back together.
Use a bench scraper or sharp knife to cut the dough into 1/4”-1/2” bites, getting about 15-20 pieces from each section of dough.
Repeat with the remaining dough. I ended up with about 80 total pretzel bites, but you might have more or less depending on the size of your dough pieces.

Dip Pretzel Bites in Baking Soda Bath

Working in small batches, dip about 10 pretzel bites into the baking soda bath, being sure to keep them submerged as they tend to float. The pretzel bites will puff up.
Cook for about 30 seconds, then remove from the pot using a large slotted spoon. Allow the excess water to drip off and transfer the bites to the lined baking sheets.
Repeat for all pretzels bites.

Bake the Pretzel Bites

Once all of the pretzel bites are on the baking sheets, brush the tops with the melted butter.
If you are making Salted Butter Pretzel Bites, then sprinkle the bites with sea salt at this step.
If you are making Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites, just top the bites with melted butter, no salt.
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, rotating the baking sheets halfway, until the bites are firm and lightly browned on top, and golden brown on the bottom.
Place the baking sheets on wire racks to cool slightly.

Salted Butter Topping

For even more flavor, add the Salted Butter pretzel bites to a medium bowl, and drizzle with melted butter and an extra pinch of sea salt.
Cover the bowl with a lid, and lightly toss everything together to get the bites coated in the butter and salt.
Remove from the bowl, and serve warm on their own, or with queso, or marinara sauce.

Cinnamon Sugar Topping

Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl.
Add the unsalted pretzel bites to a medium bowl, and drizzle with melted butter, and the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Cover the bowl with a lid, and lightly toss everything together to get the bites coated in the butter and cinnamon sugar.
Remove from the bowl, and serve warm on their own, or with icing, or fresh fruit preserves.

HI, I’M SAM!

I’m so glad you found salt n sprinkles! I started this blog to show that good, healthy food is both easy and delicious to prepare at home. Whether you have a dietary restriction or just like to try new recipes in the kitchen, I hope you find just what you’re looking for here.

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