Soft Pretzel Bites

Step 1 -Add together in the 1 1/2 cups of water, sugar, yeast, and butter into a medium sized mixing bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook until it is fully combined.

Step 2 -Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes.

Step 3 -Add the salt and flour, mixing it at a low speed until the ingredients are fully combined.

Step 4 -Raise the speed of the mixer to a medium and continue to knead the dough until it is smooth and it begins to pull away from the side of the bowl and hook, about 3-4 minutes. If the dough looks to be too wet, add additional flour 1 tablespoon at a time.

Step 5 -Flour a work surface.

Step 6 -Move the dough from the bowl, putting it on the flat floured surface and kneading the dough into a ball with your hands.

Step 7 -Oil a bowl with the vegetable oil.

Step 8 -Add the dough to the oiled bowl, turning the dough so it is evenly coated in oil.

Step 9 -Cover the bowl with a clean towel or some plastic wrap, putting it in a warm place until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.

Step 10 -Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Step 11 -Bring the 3 quarts of the water up to a boil in a small pot over a high heat.

Step 12 -Carefully add in the baking soda. If you do not add it in carefully enough, the water will boil over.

Step 13 -Move the dough from the bowl and place it onto the flat floured surface.

Step 14 -Divide up the dough pulling it into 8 equal pieces, which is about 4 1/4-4 1/2 ounces each.

Step 15 -Roll out each piece of the dough into a long rope that is measured about 22 inches in length.

Step 16 -Cut up the dough into one-inch large pieces to make the pretzel bites.

Step 17 -Boil the pretzel bites in the water, making sure to do it in batches.

Step 18 -Boil the bites for about 30 seconds each before removing them with a slotted spoon.

Step 19 -Put the pretzel bites onto a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray, make sure that the bites are not touching.

Step 20 -Brush off the tops of the pretzels with the egg wash.

Step 21 -Season the pretzels liberally with the coarse sea salt.

Step 22 -Bake the pretzels until they are golden brown, about 15-18 minutes.

Step 23 -Transfer the pretzels to a baking rack and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.