Whole Wheat Pretzels and Pretzel Bites

Kids go through spurts where you feel like you just can’t keep them fed. Well, here’s one recipe I will use occasionally just for a fun, healthy, and natural treat. My family absolutely loves these whole wheat pretzels.

This recipe is simple, rises quickly, and can be made salty or sweet!

Shaping Pretzels

Shaping pretzels is rather easy and can be done in multiple ways. I simply roll the dough into a long piece and then form a U. Take each end one at a time and fold in to the bottom of the U and press down. This is the simplest form. You can also add a twist as you pull both ends down, form a braid. Go for what sounds good.

I like to make pretzel bites too, though the children will come and make their own “stylized” pretzels in whatever shape they want. Simply roll the dough balls out into a long cord as you would for pretzel twists and then use a knife to cut the cord into 1 inch pieces.

Pretzel Toppings

Whole wheat pretzels are great with a brush of butter and then a sprinkle of kosher salt. But we also love to sprinkle on some cinnamon and sugar after applying the butter. What’s your favorite topping?

Whole Wheat Pretzels Recipe

This recipe takes a little bit more time than others, but most of that is letting it rise. Just plan ahead for the rise time and you’ll have fun with the short active time making these whole wheat pretzels or pretzel bites.

Note: I do use some unbleached all purpose flour in this recipe to balance out the whole wheat flour, because it’s what my kids like, but you can add more whole wheat to your taste in place of the white flour.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 Tbsp yeast
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1-1/4 cup milk (almond or rice milk works great)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1-1/2 tsp salt
• 4 cups unbleached white flour
• Toppings:
• Butter and Kosher Salt OR
• Butter, cinnamon and sugar

Instructions

1. In a large bowl combine yeast and warm water. Let set for 5 minutes, or until frothy.
2. Add butter, milk, and honey (you can substitute 1/4 sugar if needed).
3. Whisk in whole wheat and let sit for 5-10 minutes. You can change the wheat to white flour ratio with whatever your family is accustomed to.
4. Combine salt with a cup of white flour and add to mixture.
5. Add more flour, 1 cup at a time until mixture forms a dough.
6. Knead for 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
7. Cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
8. Punch down and make pretzels or pretzel bites. Make long snake of dough and slice into pretzel bites or twist into pretzels.
9. Bake: 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.
10. Toppings: brush with melted butter and sprinkle with salt OR cinnamon and sugar mixture (We rolled ours in the cinnamon and sugar at first and even my kids said they were too sweet, so a little sprinkle may be best).

I’ve included a printable recipe version below. Enjoy!

Sourdough Option:

These can also be made with the sourdough bread recipe.  Simply make the loaf, roll them out as desired, cover, and let them set for at least 4 hours (I make these at night and put them in the oven in the morning).  Then follow the directions below for baking and adding toppings.

What’s your favorite topping?

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