Looking for a fun kitchen project the whole family will love? These soft, fluffy, buttery pretzel bites are the perfect treat—and they’re totally vegan! Pair them with a rich, creamy vegan cheese sauce, and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing snack or appetizer that’s great for game day, movie night, or just because.
Why You’ll Love These Pretzel Bites
- Buttery and soft with a classic golden crust
- Made with simple pantry staples
- A perfect quarantine or weekend baking project
- Kid-friendly and dairy-free
- Customizable with your favorite dips—cheese, mustard, or even cinnamon sugar
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Pretzel Dough:
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 ¼ tsp fast rise yeast
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ¼ cup melted vegan butter
- 4+ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tbsp salt
For Boiling:
- 3 quarts water
- ⅓ cup baking soda
For Topping:
- Oil or melted vegan butter
- Pretzel salt (or coarse sea salt)
For the Vegan Cheese Sauce:
- 2 tbsp vegan butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup plain, unsweetened rice milk (or other neutral plant milk)
- ¾ cup vegan cheddar cheese shreds (or preferred variety)
- ¼ cup vegetable broth
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- Paprika, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Soft Pretzel Bites
Step 1: Make the Dough
In a small bowl, whisk together the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let sit for 10–15 minutes until foamy.
In a large bowl, mix 4 cups of flour and salt. Add the melted vegan butter and activated yeast mixture. Stir until a dough forms. Knead for 5–7 minutes, adding more flour as needed to form a soft, non-sticky dough.
Step 2: Let It Rise
Lightly oil a bowl, form the dough into a ball, and place it in the bowl. Cover with a damp towel and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 3: Shape the Pretzel Bites
Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and roll into a large rectangle about ½ inch thick. Cut into small bite-sized pieces (about ¾” x 1″).
Step 4: Boil the Pretzel Bites
In a large pot, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Carefully stir in baking soda (it will bubble up).
Working in batches, boil the pretzel bites for 1 minute, flip, and boil another 1 minute. Remove and place on the baking sheet.
Step 5: Bake
Brush pretzel bites with melted vegan butter or oil and sprinkle with pretzel salt.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until golden brown.
How to Make Vegan Cheese Sauce
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the vegan butter.
- Whisk in flour until smooth, creating a roux.
- Slowly pour in rice milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add garlic powder and salt.
- Stir in the vegan cheese until melted and creamy.
- Whisk in the vegetable broth until smooth. Garnish with paprika if desired.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the warm pretzel bites fresh from the oven with your homemade cheese sauce. They’re also delicious dipped in spicy mustard, vegan ranch, or even something sweet like cinnamon-sugar glaze.
Tips & Variations
- For a sweeter twist, skip the salt and brush with melted vegan butter + cinnamon sugar.
- Want extra flavor? Add garlic powder or herbs to the dough before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for best texture.