These mini pretzel dogs use a simple 5-ingredient dough and take just 15 minutes to bake once the dough has risen! Use your favorite plant-based hot dogs to make these vegetarian.
After conducting a soft pretzel bake off to find the BEST soft pretzel recipe, I couldn’t stop thinking about pigs in a blanket–but with pretzel dough. Growing up, my local bagel shop (Noah’s Bagels) sold bagel dogs and they were one of my favorite Saturday morning treats. Pretzel dogs are essentially the same idea, but instead of bagel dough, you’ll use pretzel dough. Boil the bites in a baking soda bath for the signature pretzel exterior before baking and you have a fun snack!
Although homemade soft pretzels might sound intimidating, they’re actually quite easy to throw together! With the help of a stand mixer, you can knead the dough to perfection in 5 minutes. The mini size makes these the perfect party snack for the Superbowl, a housewarming, or any other occasion.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: As I discovered in the bake off, all-purpose flour works just fine for chewy pretzels. No need for bread flour or any specialty flours!
- Active dry yeast: Given the short rise time of these pretzels, you can also sub in the same amount of instant yeast in place of active dry yeast. Your dough may double slightly faster (check around 40 minutes).
- Hot dogs: I used Lightlife vegetarian hot dogs and this amount of dough was almost perfect for one 12 oz pack of 8 hot dogs. Any extra pretzel dough can be turned into plain pretzel bites!
- Pretzel salt: I couldn’t find my pretzel salt, so I used a mix of King Arthur’s everything seasoning along with flaky Maldon sea salt. Everything But the Bagel seasoning would also work well on these–but even coarse kosher salt will work!
- Baking soda: What gives these their pretzel exterior is a quick boil in a baking soda solution. If you’d like an even more potent solution, darker color and stronger flavor, you can bake the baking soda at 350 for 10 minutes. This transforms the baking soda from sodium bicarbonate into sodium carbonate (a stronger alkaline). Be extra careful when handling this solution to avoid getting it in your eyes or on your bare skin!
How to make pretzel dogs
This homemade pretzel dough is easiest made with a stand mixer to help with the kneading. However, you can knead the dough by hand if you don’t have a mixer!
Step 1: Proof the yeast in warm water with 1/2 tbsp sugar.
Step 2: Mix in the flour, salt and melted butter until you have a shaggy dough, then knead until smooth.
Step 3: Once you have a smooth ball of dough, place somewhere warm and cover with a towel.
Step 4: Let dough rise in a warm place for 50-60 minutes, or until doubled in size.
Step 5: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to approximately a 9×15″ rectangle.
Step 6: Cut your hot dogs into thirds. Use one chunk to cut the dough into ~24 strips that are slightly shorter than the length of a dog and just long enough to wrap around the width. Pinch to seal the seam closed.
Step 7: Bring 4 cups of water and 1/4 cup baking soda to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the pretzel bites to the boiling water for 1 min. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bites and set aside to let the water drain off.
Step 8: Place the bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with salt or seasonings, then bake for 12-15 minutes at 450 degrees.between 105° and 110°F
How to serve
These pretzel bites are best served the same day they’re made, either warm or at room temperature. I served mine with an easy cheddar cheese sauce, but you can also serve alongside mustard or a beer cheese dip!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Rewarm in an air fryer or toaster oven for the best results.
Mini Pretzel Dog Bites
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup warm water, between 105° and 110°F 170g
- 1.5 tsp granulated sugar 4g
- 1.25 tsp active dry yeast 3.5g
- 2.25 cups all-purpose flour 270g
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted 28g
- 1 tsp kosher salt 2.66g
- 8 hot dogs (plant-based or regular, about a 12 oz package)
- 1/4 cup baking soda 72g
- 1 whole egg or egg yolk, beaten for the egg wash
- pretzel salt, flaky salt or seasonings of your choice
Instructions
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine 3/4 cup warm water, 1.5 tsp granulated sugar and 1.25 tsp active dry yeast. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes, until foamy.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl, add the foamy yeast mixture. Stir in 2.25 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and 1 tsp kosher salt until you have a shaggy dough. Using the dough hook attachment, knead the dough for 5 minutes until a soft dough forms and pulls away from the side of the bowl. (Alternatively, you can knead the dough by hand–this might take up to 10 minutes.)
- Cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm spot for 50-60 minutes, or until doubled.
- Preheat oven to 450 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the risen dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately a 9×15" rectangle. Cut hot dogs into thirds.
- Use a hot dog third to measure out a width slightly narrower than the length of the hot dog. Cut the dough into 8 even strips, then into thirds (make sure each strip is long enough to wrap around each hot dog. Wrap each hot dog in a strip of dough, pinching to seal the seam.
- Add 1/4 cup baking soda to 4 cups of water in a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Once boiling, add the hot dogs in batches of 5-6. Boil for 1 minute, then remove to let excess water drain.
- Place hot dog bites on the prepared sheet spaced about an inch or two apart. Brush pretzel dogs with beaten egg, then sprinkle with seasonings and salt.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until dough is golden brown. Enjoy warm with a cheese sauce or mustard!
Alisa S
Looks like a delicious alternative to pigs in blanket or corn dogs. Could these be frozen a few months ahead for a large event? if so, any tips?
erika
I think I would assemble them until right before boiling, flash freeze and then put in freezer bags. I’d boil and bake the day you’d like to make them for an event!