King’s Hawaiian has delivered again with the release of their new King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites. These pillowy pretzel bites have the same lightly sweetened flavor as Hawaiian rolls and are the ultimate snack food. If you’re a fan of salty-sweet snacks, you’ll be addicted to them! The only downside to this snack is that they’re not cheap. We wanted a budget-friendly way to enjoy these delicious bites, so we created a Homemade King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites Recipe that is just as good and way easier on your budget.
We used a combination of honey and sugar to get that signature Hawaiian roll taste and topped the bites with coarse sea salt for the best balance of flavors. This recipe is a great kitchen experiment for a rainy day or a fun recipe to make with the kids. Enjoy these Homemade King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites plain, or serve them with any of our fun dipping suggestions. Either way, these bite-sized pretzels are bound to impress!
A Brief History of Pretzels
Pretzels have been a stadium staple for decades, but they actually date back to the early Romans. While it’s hard to nail down an exact date, historians believe pretzels originated in the 7th century and were created by Italian monks. These vintage pretzels were given to children who memorized prayers, as the pretzel’s shape resembled arms folded in prayer.
Pretzel is derived from the Latin word “pretiola,” which means “small reward.” They were an everyday treat during Lent, as their simple ingredients fit religious guidelines. Pretzels soon migrated to other parts of Europe, appearing at many mainstream celebrations, like Germany’s Oktoberfest.
German immigrants shared the recipe with Americans, and today, you’ll find them sprinkled throughout malls, sporting venues, and grocery store aisles.
RELATED: Oreo Balls Recipe: The Perfect Sweet Treat for Any Occasion
Cost to Make the Copycat King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites
A container of 30 King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites will cost you around $7. Yes, these Pretzel Bites are pricey! In contrast, you can make around 60 of our Copycat King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites for just $2.52.
Keep in mind that this number may vary based on your location and ingredient availability. Here’s how that breaks down:
- Sugar: $0.13
- Honey: $0.25
- Active dry yeast: $0.20
- Enriched flour: $0.90
- Salt: $0.02
- Margarine: $0.75
- Egg: $0.20
- Baking soda: $0.05
- Sea salt: $0.02
Grand Total: $2.52!
It really pays to make these snacks from scratch! And it’s so easy that anyone can do it.
RELATED: Homemade Cheez It Recipe: Budget-Friendly and Very Addictive
How to Make Homemade King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites Recipe
Here’s how to make a large batch of Homemade King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites.
Step One: Activate the Yeast
Combine the water, sugar, honey, and yeast in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and let it sit for at least five minutes or until it becomes foamy.
Step Two: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour and salt until combined.
Step Three: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Add the melted margarine and egg to a separate bowl and whisk until combined.
Step Four: Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the flour and egg mixtures to the yeast mixture and stir until combined. Using your dough hook attachment or hands, knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth.
Place the dough in a greased mixing bowl and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
Step Five: Form and Boil the Pretzel Bites
Preheat the oven to 425℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add 4-6 inches of water to a large pot and bring to a boil. Use your hands to divide the pretzel dough into eight pieces, then form each piece into a rope.
Use a knife or your hands to divide the rope into pieces, rolling them into a flattened ball. Pour the baking soda into the boiling water and reduce the heat to a simmer. Use a slotted spoon to lower 6-8 pretzel bites into the water, and let boil for 30 seconds. Remove from the water and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the process until all pretzel bites have been boiled.
Step Six: Bake the Homemade King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites
Sprinkle the Copycat King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites with coarse sea salt, then bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and brush with more melted margarine. Serve warm and enjoy!
What to Serve With Copycat King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites
Our Copycat King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites are great on their own, but you can always serve them with cinnamon sugar, honey mustard, or queso.
Storing Leftover Homemade King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites
You can store leftover Homemade King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites at room temperature for up to a week – just be sure to keep them in an airtight container! You can also freeze leftovers for up to three months.
Homemade King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Baking Sheet
- 1 Large pot
Ingredients
Dough
- 1 cup warm water 110 degrees F
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast 1 packet
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup margarine melted
- 1 count egg
Pretzel Bath
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup baking soda
Topping
- 1 count pretzel salt
- 2 tablespoons margarine melted for brushing
Instructions
- Combine the water, sugar, honey, and yeast in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and let it sit for at least five minutes or until it becomes foamy.1 cup warm water, ¼ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons honey, 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- In a separate bowl, whisk the flour and salt until combined.3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt
- Add the melted margarine and egg to a separate bowl and whisk until combined.¼ cup margarine, 1 count egg
- Add the flour and egg mixtures to the yeast mixture and stir until combined. Using your dough hook attachment or hands, knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth.
- Place the dough in a greased mixing bowl and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled.
- Preheat the oven to 425℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add 4-6 inches of water to a large pot and bring to a boil.4 cups water
- Use your hands to divide the pretzel dough into eight pieces, then form each piece into a rope.
- Use a knife or your hands to divide the rope into pieces, rolling them into a flattened ball.
- Pour the baking soda into the boiling water and reduce the heat to a simmer. Use a slotted spoon to lower 6-8 pretzel bites into the water, and let boil for 30 seconds. Remove from the water and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the process until all pretzel bites have been boiled.1 cup baking soda
- Brush some melted margarine on top and sprinkle the Copycat King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites with coarse sea salt or pretzel salt, then bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.1 count pretzel salt, 2 tablespoons margarine
- Remove from the oven and brush with more melted margarine if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
