Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Bites
These Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Bites are soft, fluffy, and coated in a cozy pumpkin spice cinnamon sugar coating. Each bite is warm, buttery, and perfectly sweet — the ultimate fall twist on a classic soft pretzel. Serve them fresh from the oven with homemade chocolate sauce, salted caramel, and cream cheese dipping sauce for a cozy, crowd-pleasing treat.
If you try out this recipe, I’d love to see it! Leave a comment with a star rating below and tag @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and hashtag it #wellmadebykiley
Ingredients You Need:
Full ingredients and recipe are in the recipe card below. Read through this section for all the ingredients substitution and baking tips!
Milk: Warmed to 110°F to activate the yeast and help create soft, fluffy pretzel dough.
Brown Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps activate the yeast for a light rise.
Active Dry Yeast: Leavens the dough, making the pretzel bites pillowy and airy.
Pumpkin Purée: Adds moisture, natural sweetness, and cozy fall flavor to the pretzel dough.
Salted Butter: Adds richness to the dough and flavor to the coating and sauces.
Vanilla Bean Paste Or Extract: Brings warm, aromatic flavor to the dough and dipping sauces.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for the soft and chewy pretzel bites.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: Infuses the dough and coating with warm fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the fall flavors throughout the recipe.
Baking Soda: Used in the baking soda wash to give the pretzel bites their signature golden crust and pretzel flavor.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the pumpkin spice coating for a classic cinnamon sugar finish.
Cinnamon: Adds cozy warmth and spice to the cinnamon sugar coating.
Milk Chocolate Chips: Melt into a creamy, sweet base for the homemade chocolate dipping sauce.
Dark Chocolate Chips: Deepen the chocolate flavor for a rich, balanced dip.
Heavy Cream: Creates a silky texture in the chocolate sauce and adds richness.
Cream Cheese: Forms the base of the cream cheese dipping sauce, adding tanginess and creaminess.
Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese dip for a smooth, velvety consistency.
Maple Syrup: Sweetens the easy salted caramel and adds a warm, earthy flavor.
Almond Butter: Thickens the caramel and adds nutty richness with a smooth texture.
Avocado Oil Or Coconut Oil: Helps emulsify the caramel for a glossy, pourable consistency.
Why You’ll Love Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Bites:
Soft And Fluffy Texture: Each bite is light, tender, and perfectly chewy just like a classic soft pretzel.
Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Sugar Coating: A cozy, spiced sugar mixture gives every bite that warm fall flavor.
Sweet And Buttery Finish: Brushed with butter before coating for extra flavor and softness.
Perfect Fall Snack: The ideal sweet treat for cozy fall afternoons, game days, or dessert boards.
Homemade Dipping Sauces: Served with chocolate sauce, salted caramel, and cream cheese dip for variety and indulgence.
Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Perfect for sharing — everyone loves soft pretzel bites with warm dips.
Easy To Make: No special equipment needed, and ready in about an hour.
Warm And Comforting: Best served fresh from the oven for that bakery-style texture and taste.
Tips for Making Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Bites:
Use Warm Milk Or Water For The Yeast: The liquid should be about 110°F to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
Let The Dough Rise Fully: Allow the dough to double in size before shaping for soft and fluffy pretzel bites.
Don’t Over-Flour The Dough: Add just enough flour so the dough is soft and slightly tacky.
Cut Even Pieces: Slice the dough into evenly sized bites so they bake uniformly.
Brush With Baking Soda Wash: Instead of boiling, brush each bite generously with a baking soda wash for that classic pretzel flavor and golden color.
Bake Until Deep Golden Brown: The pretzel bites should be lightly crisp on the outside and soft inside.
Brush With Melted Butter Right After Baking: The butter helps the cinnamon sugar coating stick and adds rich flavor.
Coat While Warm: Toss the warm pretzel bites in the pumpkin spice cinnamon sugar mixture immediately for the best coverage.
Serve Fresh: Enjoy warm for the softest texture and best flavor.
Pair With Dips: Serve with homemade chocolate sauce, salted caramel, and cream cheese dip for the ultimate sweet-and-salty combo.
How to Store Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Bites:
Room Temperature: Store cooled pretzel bites in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The cinnamon sugar coating will stay soft and slightly crisp.
Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving to restore softness.
Freezer: Freeze fully baked pretzel bites in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheat In The Oven: Warm in a 325°F oven for 5–7 minutes until soft and warm again.
Avoid The Microwave: Reheating in the microwave can make the bites chewy and cause the sugar coating to melt.
Store Dipping Sauces Separately: Keep chocolate sauce, salted caramel, and cream cheese dip in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat chocolate or caramel sauce gently before serving.
FAQs:
Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance. Cover tightly and refrigerate, then let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.
Q: Do I have to use pumpkin spice?
A: Pumpkin spice gives these pretzel bites their cozy fall flavor, but you can substitute it with a mix of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, and allspice.
Q: Why do I brush with baking soda wash instead of boiling?
A: Brushing with baking soda wash gives the pretzel bites their classic pretzel flavor and golden color without the need for boiling. It’s quicker and easier for home baking.
Q: Can I make these without a stand mixer?
A: Yes, you can mix and knead the dough by hand for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Q: Can I make the bites smaller or larger?
A: Absolutely. Adjust the size as you like, just keep an eye on the baking time — smaller bites will bake faster, and larger ones may need a few extra minutes.
Q: How do I keep the pretzel bites soft after baking?
A: Store them in an airtight container once cooled and reheat briefly before serving to bring back the softness.
Q: Can I freeze the dough?
A: Yes, freeze the dough after it rises. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bring to room temperature before shaping and baking.
Q: What dipping sauces go best with these?
A: These pair perfectly with chocolate sauce, salted caramel, and cream cheese dip, but you can also try maple glaze or vanilla icing for a different twist.
Q: Are these best served warm or at room temperature?
A: They’re best served warm, fresh from the oven, when the coating is fragrant, buttery, and perfectly soft inside.
Love this recipe? Check out my other pumpkin fall-inspired recipes:
Cinnamon Crunch Pumpkin Cathead Biscuits with Whipped Maple Butter
Pumpkin Almond Croissant Bread Pudding with Warm Bourbon Maple Syrup
Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Pancakes with Whipped Honey Cinnamon Butter
Make sure to tag me @wellmadebykiley on Instagram and leave a review or comment if you make these pumpkin spice pretzel bites. Happy baking!