The time has gotten away from me, and the Super Bowl is this week. Which, I admit, was a big surprise because I thought it was next weekend.
I’ve got my dates right now, though, and I have a feeling that most of us will be watching this sporting event on Sunday… whether or not we’re truly into professional football (or sports, in general), watching commercials, sipping on our favorite beverages, viewing crazily expensive (and hopefully amusing) commercials, and eating.
I don’t know about y’all, but when it comes to Super Bowl parties, I’m an appetizer girl, and I have the perfect snack for your weekend party.
I present to y’all: Parmesan Pretzel Bites.
We’ve got quite a few ingredients that go into making these delectable snacks, but do not fret. The process is simple — even though it involves yeast and dough rising — and the end result? Better than you could have imagined.
First up, you’re going to mix the water with the yeast and sugar and let those hang out until the mixture is foamy.
Then you’ll add the dry ingredients, and let the dough sit for an hour or until doubled in size.
When your dough is happy and plump, go ahead and put on that pot of water and baking soda. YES. I know this is strange. Just go with it, y’all.
You’re going to flatten the dough out with your hand and cut it into strips, then down to bite-sized pieces.
Toss a few of these bites into the boiling water mixture, and let them hang out for around 30 seconds, then pull them out and place on a greased baking sheet. Repeat this process over and over until all the pretzel bites have been boiled, then pop the baking sheet in the oven for 10 minutes.
The pretzel bites will crisp up (see #10), and you’re home free with these next two parts: Using a brush, spread the butter on top of the pretzels, and then sprinkle the parmesan on top of that.
And then consume them warm because they are OH SO GOOD.
Parmesan Pretzel Bites
Adapted from About.com’s Dairy Free Cooking Page
Serves 8
Ingredients:
- 1 .25-ounce package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 7 cups water
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (for sprinkling)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
Preparation:
- In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine the yeast, warm water and sugar, agitating until the yeast is dissolve. Let stand for 5 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly.
- Add the salt and flour gradually until forming a soft dough that is neither sticky nor dry, adding extra flour if necessary. (I didn’t need any additional flour.)
- Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and knead until elastic and smooth, about 3-4 minutes.
- Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in bulk.
- Preheat the oven to 400 F. Lightly oil a large baking sheet and set aside.
- Bring the 7 cups of water and baking soda to a rolling boil in a medium-large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Punch the dough down and turn out onto a clean work surface. Separate the dough into 8 pieces and roll each into a rope about 1/2″ thick. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the ropes into pieces about 1/2″-1″ in length.
- Drop about 3-4 pieces of dough at a time into the boiling water. Boil for about 30 seconds, remove using a slotted spoon, and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat this until all of your pieces of dough have been boiled.
- Sprinkle with coarse salt and bake until golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.
- Once out of the oven, brush with the butter and sprinkle on the parmesan.
- Allow pretzel bites to cool slightly before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Are you going to a Super Bowl party? Are you planning to bring anything with you? We’d love to know what you plan on sharing with your friends and family members!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
OMG. I was bouncing up and down in my office because I was so happy about this! I LOVE SOFT PRETZELS.
Ok. I’ll stop freaking out now. But seriously.
Baking and yeast scare me, and also I have like 2 of those ingredients: parmesan cheese and hot water… Looks like I’m going to have to be brave so I can enjoy theses!!
HOORAY! I love soft pretzels, too, and it makes me happy that you do.
Yes, definitely be brave! The end result is SO worth the trouble of this. And I cannot wait to hear what you think of the pretzel bites!
I made these twice over the weekend, brought them to a Super Bowl party and they were a hit! It was just the right amount of work for a delicious outcome! My hubs is soo happy (a pretzel-connoisseur!). I’m thinking my next batch will be a cinnamon-sugar flavor!
How fun! I’m so glad to hear they turned out wonderfully, Jamie, and that your friends at the Super Bowl party AND hubs was so happy with them, too. They truly are delish, huh? Please let me know how the cinnamon-sugar ones turn out!