Football Food: Soft Pretzel Bites

In case you haven’t heard, the Super Bowl is this weekend... and living in Arizona (where it’s taking place this year), it seems to be the only thing that people are talking about!  John works in downtown Phoenix, and he will have to work from home starting tomorrow since a lot of the downtown streets are being closed for events and concerts – it’s nuts over here and driving anywhere is pretty much a parking lot!

Although professional football isn’t really my thing, delicious and not-good-for-you food definitely is... and for that reason, I can totally get behind the Super Bowl.  I was perusing Pinterest when I saw these soft pretzel bites, and although they are kind of a labor of love, they are to. die. for.  I’m not being dramatic.  I had to fight John to get these things in my belly.  They are the perfect game day food!

You might be able to find some sort of short cut (and if you do, let me know), but here’s how I made mine (...the work was worth it, y’all!) 

What you need:

1 1/2 cups of warm water
2 tbs of brown sugar
1 package of active dry yeast

3 ounces of butter, melted
2 1/2 tsp of salt
4 1/2 to 5 cups of flour
Vegetable oil
3 quarts of water
1/2 cup of baking soda 

How to:

1. Combine water, sugar, yeast, and butter in a mixer, and mix with a dough hook until combined; let sit for 5 minutes.

2. Add the salt and flour into the yeast mixture and mix on a low speed until combined. Continue mixing the dough until it begins to pull away from the side of the bowl. (Add more flour if needed.)

3. Let the dough rise in an oiled boil for about 1 hour.

4. After letting the dough rise, divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope measuring, and cut the dough into 1-2 inch pieces to make the pretzel bites. 

5. Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil and dump the baking soda in (careful, it will bubble!).

6. Boil the pretzel bites in the water in batches (15 or so at a time); boil each batch for about 30 seconds.

7. Remove the pretzels with a large slotted spoon, and place on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

8. Brush the tops with melted butter and season liberally with the salt. Place into the oven and bake at 425 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes until golden brown.

Serve with mustard or cheese.  To make the cheese dip, melt 1 tbs of butter in a pan, add 1/2 tbs of flour, 1/2 cup of milk, and slowly combine 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese.

These little suckers are way too tasty, and they even kind of look like mini footballs (which was totally an afterthought, but no one needs to know that!).  I can tell already that it is likely to be a weekend full of tasty food, funny commercials, and Katy Perry!

If you’re looking to lighten-up after the game (I know I will be...), check out these yummy zoodle recipes: kung pao chicken and edamame avocado salad!