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Copycat Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

Have a craving for some delicious treats? Check out these amazing copycat Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites. Now you can make these popular treats at home!

The first time I had Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Bites, I was completely obsessed. It honestly took me way too long as I have never been a big pretzel fan. I had always seen the stores everywhere but never really took the time to try them.

After one try, I was a total fan. I realized that I wanted to try every single type of pretzel, turns out the cinnamon sugar is my favorite flavor. I can quite literally eat an entire bag.

Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites: A Bite-Sized Delight You Can Make at Home

Who doesn’t love those little morsels of cinnamon-sugar goodness from Auntie Anne’s? With this homemade recipe, you can replicate that mall-favorite right in your own kitchen. Made from a blend of bread and all-purpose flour, a dash of vegetable oil, and active dry yeast, these pretzel bites are then rolled in a heavenly coat of light-brown sugar and cinnamon. Perfect for parties, snack time, or just because!

FAQs

Can I Use Instant Yeast Instead of Active Dry Yeast?

Yes, you can. Instant yeast is more potent than active dry yeast, so you might need to adjust the proving time slightly.

What is the Ideal Water Temperature for Activating Yeast?

The warm water should be around 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Too hot and you’ll kill the yeast; too cool and it won’t activate properly.

Tips and Tricks

  • Dough Consistency: Your dough should be soft but not sticky. If it’s too sticky, you can add more flour, a tablespoon at a time.

  • Water Bath: A quick dip in a hot water and baking soda mixture will give your pretzel bites the perfect texture.

  • Temperature Control: Make sure your oven is properly preheated to ensure even baking.

Today I’ve got a really good copycat Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites recipe! If there is one thing I have learned how to do in the past few month is make a ton of my favorite restaurant copycat recipes. Some of them have been absolute hits, and some have been duds. This one is a winner!

Plus with everyone baking sourdough bread, this is something different you can achieve with minimal skill and all the flavor.

Variations

  • Gluten-Free: You can use gluten-free flour mixes available in grocery stores. Note that the texture may differ.

  • Sweet and Savory: Instead of cinnamon and light-brown sugar, try garlic powder and parmesan for a savory twist.

Where to Serve

These make for perfect party snacks or game day treats. Put them in a large bowl and watch them disappear at your next gathering. They’re just as good for family movie nights or after-school snacking.

Storage

Store any leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container to maintain freshness. They can also be frozen; just reheat in the oven when you’re ready to enjoy them again.

What ingredients are in these copycat Auntie Anne’s cinnamon sugar pretzel bites?

  • active dry yeast
  • warm water , 110 degrees
  • granulated sugar
  • light-brown sugar
  • vegetable oil
  • salt
  • bread flour
  • all-purpose flour , plus more for dusting
  • hot water
  • baking soda

Coating

1/2 cup butter, melted 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

  • Tough Texture: Over-kneading the dough can make your pretzel bites tough instead of tender.

  • Uneven Browning: Make sure your oven’s heat is evenly distributed. Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet.

Tips for Making This Recipe with Kids

  • Measuring Fun: Let the kids help with measuring the ingredients. It’s a fun and educational experience!

  • Roll and Dip: Kids will love rolling the dough into small bites and dipping them into the baking soda water.

Topping Options

  • Extra Sweet: After baking, brush the pretzel bites with melted butter and roll them in a mixture of granulated sugar and cinnamon for an extra layer of sweetness.

  • Nutty Twist: A sprinkle of crushed almonds or walnuts can add a delightful crunch.

What tools do I need to make these treats?

  • Stand mixer
  • Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Plastic wrap
  • Cloth
  • Slotted spoon
  • Baking sheets

Why This Recipe Works

  1. Texture: The combination of bread flour and all-purpose flour provides the ideal texture—soft on the inside, slightly crunchy on the outside.

  2. Authentic Flavor: Using light-brown sugar for the coating closely mimics the taste of the Auntie Anne’s original.

  3. Simplicity: Despite appearing complex, this recipe is quite straightforward and uses basic pantry ingredients, making it an easy yet impressive treat to whip up.

So there you have it—your guide to creating Auntie Anne’s Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites right in your own kitchen. This recipe is a tried-and-true crowd-pleaser, ideal for satisfying both sweet and savory cravings. Trust me, once you’ve tried making these, store-bought pretzels will never measure up!

What are some more fun copycat recipes to try?

For some more fun copycat recipe be sure to check out 35 Of The Best Copycat Restaurant Recipes To Try At Home!

Copycat Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites
Yield: 30-40 pieces

Copycat Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

These copycat Auntie Anne's Cinnamon Sugar bites are so good! Made from scratch with love, you will love these treats!

Ingredients

  • 1 (1/4 oz) pkg active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water , 110 degrees
  • 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 2 Tbsp packed light-brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups bread flour
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour , plus more for dusting 3 cups hot water
  • 1/4 cup baking soda

Instructions

  1. Combine 1 cup warm water, yeast and 1/2 tsp granulated sugar, in the bowl of a stand mixer. 
  2. Whisk to dissolve and allow to rest 10 minutes. (It should smell like bread and bubble a bit. If it doesn’t the yeast is bad) 
  3. Fit the mixer with whisk attachment and mix in remaining granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil and salt. 
  4. Slowly add in bread flour and mix until well blended on low.
  5. Switch to the hook attachment and slowly add in all-purpose flour to begin kneading the dough. 
  6. Knead mixture on low speed until smooth an elastic, adding up to an additional 1/4 cup flour as needed (you want a soft dough and it may seem slightly sticky). 

When removing the dough from the bowl it should not be WET where it won’t hold shape. Add a tbsp of flour at a time to help it form a stiffer ball. 

  1. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp dish towel and allow to rest in a warm place until doubled in size (I like to let mine rest on the back burner of the stove with the oven on 300). 
  2. After an hour, punch dough down and divide into 6 equal portions. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 
  3. Cover the ones you aren't currently rolling loosely with plastic wrap or damp towel (to prevent drying). 
  4. Roll each portion into a rope about 16-20 -inches long 
  5. Do this by rolling or pulling on each side and flicking upward like a jump rope and slapping onto the countertop). 
  6. Cut into bite size pieces (about 1 1/4-inches each).
  7. Cover with cloth while working
  8. Pour hot water and baking soda into a mixing bowl and whisk to dissolve.
  9. Lightly spray parchment lined baking sheet with non stick spray 
  10. Using a slotted spoon, dip several pieces of dough into the water mixture, then lift and allow excess water to drip off, place on parchment lined baking sheet. 
  11. Repeat process working in batches and using two baking sheets, and rewarm water in microwave until hot between batches. 
  12. If it sticks to the parchment, dip your fingers in the water and pull it up. 
  13. Bake in preheated oven 8 - 11 minutes until tops are nicely golden brown. 
  14. Remove from oven and using a slotted spoon, dip into melted butter, toss to evenly coat then lift and shake off excess. 
  15. Toss in cinnamon sugar Or 
  16. Place all bites in a large bowl (with top), pour melted butter and cinnamon sugar mix into the bowl. Cover with top and shake, shake, shake! 

Did you make this recipe?

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