Honey Pretzel Bites

Honey Pretzel Bites

• 2½ cups flour
• 2¼ teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¾ cup warm water
• 1 teaspoon Red Belly Honey, plus 2 tablespoons*
• 1½ cups water, boiling
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• Pretzel salt or coarse salt, as needed

Combine flour, yeast and kosher salt in a mixing bowl. Add 1 teaspoon honey with the warm water and stir to combine. Add the honey water to the flour mixture and mix by hand or the dough hook attachment of a stand mixer for 5 minutes until soft and smooth. Add more warm water by the tablespoon if the dough is too stiff.

Form into a ball, dust with flour and place in a large bowl lined with a clean kitchen towel. Cover and let rest for 30 to 40 minutes in a warm spot. Meanwhile, combine the boiling water and baking soda, stirring until the soda is dissolved; transfer to a bowl and cool.

Place the dough on a lightly greased work surface and divide into six equal pieces. Roll each piece into 12-inch ropes. Cut each rope into bite-sized pieces. Place the bites into the baking soda solution, move them around to cover and let them sit for a minute or two.

Transfer the bites onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt; allow the bites to rest for 30 minutes in a warm spot. Bake the bites in a heated 400 F oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden brown. Using a spatula, move the bites to a large mixing bowl and drizzle the honey by the teaspoon, tossing the bites after each addition. Makes about 5 dozen.

*Place your jar of Red Belly Honey in hot water for a few minutes before using. The heat will thin the honey and make it easier to drizzle. Makes about 5 dozen.

Adapted from King Arthur Baking Company.