Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites

Sourdough Discard Recipes

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February 29, 2024

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Crafting the Perfect Snack: Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites

Hey there, fellow sourdough enthusiasts and snack lovers! Today, I’m diving into one of my all-time favorite ways to use up that ever-accumulating sourdough discard: making deliciously chewy, yet crunchy Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites. Not only are these little gems super easy to whip up, but they’re also incredibly versatile and perfect for nearly any occasion. Let’s get into how you can turn your discard into a snack everyone will rave about.

Why Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites Rock

  • Zero Waste: First off, we’re talking about a tasty solution to the age-old question of what to do with sourdough discard.
  • Snack Perfection: They’re bite-sized, which means you can easily pop one (or a dozen) into your mouth while binge-watching your favorite series.
  • Party Favorite: Trust me, bring these to a party, and you’ll be the MVP of snacking.

What You’ll Need

  • Sourdough discard (of course)
  • Baking soda (for that classic pretzel texture)
  • Coarse salt (because what’s a pretzel without it?)
  • Your favorite dipping sauces (more on this in a bit)

Let’s Bake!

  • Prep Your Dough: Just mix up your discard with a little flour if it’s super runny.
  • Shape ‘Em Up: Roll out your dough and cut it into bite-sized pieces. No need for perfection here; rustic is part of the charm!
  • Boil and Bake: A quick boil in baking soda water, then off to the oven until they’re golden brown.

Dipping Sauces: The Game Changer

  • Classic Marinara: You can’t go wrong with the classic. It’s like pizza, but pretzel-fied.
  • Cheesy Beer Dip: Because beer and pretzels are basically besties.
  • Spring Pea and Dill Dip: A savory new spring favorite of mine!

Fun Pairing Ideas

  • Movie Night: Swap out the popcorn for pretzel bites. Your couch will thank you.
  • Wine Tasting: Yes, wine and pretzels. It’s a thing. Try a bubbly or a crisp white with these salty treats.
  • Game Day: Level up your sports viewing with a pretzel bite platter—various dips for the win!

Fun Facts & Tips

  • Did You Know? The traditional pretzel shape is said to represent arms crossed in prayer. With pretzel bites, you get the goodness without the folding.
  • Keep It Fresh: Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container, and just reheat in the oven for that just-baked taste.
  • Experiment: Don’t be afraid to add herbs or cheese to the dough mix. Pretzel bites are forgiving and fun to experiment with.

So, there you have it,

the ultimate guide to turning your sourdough discard into a snack that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re a seasoned sourdough veteran or just starting out, these pretzel bites are a fun, delicious way to make the most of your baking adventures. Happy baking, and even happier snacking!

Print Recipe

Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites

Get ready to turn your sourdough discard into snack magic with these crunchy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside pretzel bites. They're the perfect munchies for anytime you're feeling peckish, and super easy to whip up with just a few simple ingredients.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Rise Time1 hour
Course: Appetizer, Bread, Side Dish, Snack
Keyword: pretzel bites, Sourdough Bread, sourdough discard pretzel bites, sourdough discard recipe
Servings: 25 pretzel bites

Equipment

  • 1 Kitchenaid Mixer can be made without mixer too
  • Measuring Cups & Spoons
  • Kitchen Scale Optional
  • Knife or Bench Scraper
  • Ruler optional
  • Pot
  • Slotted Spoon
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Pastry Brush
  • Small Bowl

Ingredients

For the Sourdough Discard Pretzel Dough

  • 1/2 Cup Warm Water
  • 1/2 tbsp Honey
  • 1 tsp Commercial Yeast
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1/3 Cup Sourdough Discard 100 grams
  • 2 Cups All Purpose Flour 284 grams
  • 1/2 tsp Salt

Water Bath

  • 5 Cups Water
  • 1/3 Cup Baking Soda

Toppings

  • 1 Egg + 1 tbsp Water Egg Wash
  • 2 tsp Coarse Salt
  • 3 tbsp Salted Butter melted

Instructions

For the Sourdough Discard Pretzel Dough

  • Add a 1/2 cup of warm water, 1/2 tbsp of honey, and 1 tsp of yeast to your mixing bowl. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes to activate the yeast.
  • Next, add the 2 tbsp of olive oil, and 1/3 cup of sourdough discard. Pour in the 2 cups of all-purpose flour, followed lastly by the 1/2 tsp of salt.
  • Mix with your dough hook for 5-8 minutes, or until the dough is fully combined and smooth. This dough should not be sticky. If it is, add more flour one tbsp at a time until you can touch the dough without it sticking to your hands.
  • Shape the dough into a ball, place it back in the bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it sit somewhere warm for 60 minutes.

Water Bath

  • Towards the end of the dough's rise time, combine 5 cups of water with a 1/3 cup of baking soda and bring to a boil.
  • Prepare either one large baking sheet or two half sheets with parchment. Spray the parchment with cooking oil.
  • Preheat the oven to 450°.
  • Mix the egg with 1 tbsp of water to make your egg wash and set to the side.

Roll Out, Divide, Bake

  • After the 60 minutes is up the dough should have risen and doubled in size. Dump it out on your counter and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Roll those pieces out into 14-16" long ropes. Cut the ropes into 1 1/2" pieces to get the bites.
  • Right after cutting, toss the pieces into the water bath you prepared and boil for 30-45 seconds. Remove them from the water and place on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Once you have the pretzel bites on the baking sheet, brush with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
  • Put them in the oven on the middle rack and bake at 450° for 15-20 minutes or until they are a nice golden brown color.
  • Once they are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow to cool down to touch.
  • Finally, enjoy eating them with a spring sweet pea and dill dip!
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