Easy Gluten-free Soft Pretzel Bites - Yeast-free! (2024)

Published: · Updated: by Katie Olesen · This post may contain affiliate links, through which I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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Back with another easy recipe using the amazing gluten-free three-ingredient dough! These buttery, gluten-free soft pretzel bites are so quick to make and taste just like a soft pretzel from the mall! This easy recipe is ready in about 30 minutes!

Easy Gluten-free Soft Pretzel Bites - Yeast-free! (1)
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  • Ingredients
  • Make Three-ingredient Dough
  • Turn Dough into Pretzel Bites
  • Tips
  • More Gluten-Free Recipes
  • Recipe
  • Comments and Ratings

In the before times, a marathon shopping day at the mall usually meant a pit stop for warm pretzels from Auntie Anne's. While I haven't been to a mall in ages and can't eat those pretzels anymore, these gluten-free soft pretzel bites will bring you right back to your snacking days in the center of the mall!

This recipe is yet another riff off of my previous recipes using gluten-free three-ingredient dough. Remember those easy gluten-free bagels and gluten-free flatbread? Well, with just a small tweak to that three-ingredient dough, you can make a wonderful soft pretzel that's also about as easy as it gets to make!

Ingredients

To make these pretzel bites, you'll need ingredients for the gluten-free dough, plus a few extra pantry items that will turn the dough into pretzel bites!

Easy Gluten-free Soft Pretzel Bites - Yeast-free! (2)

For the three-ingredient dough you'll need:

  • Gluten-free flour blend: Use a 1:1 replacement gluten-free flour. I've tested this recipe and the measurements used withKing Arthur Measure for MeasureandNamaste Perfect Flour Blend.
  • Baking powder: I useClabber Girl, it is gluten-free.
  • PlainGreek yogurt: Full fat or non-fat both work for this recipe. Regular yogurt also works but you may need more flour to get a dough with workable consistency.

For making the pretzels you'll need:

  • Baking soda
  • Butter
  • Coarse salt or sea salt or Cinnamon-sugar

Make Three-ingredient Dough

The first step is making the three-ingredient dough. Mix the gluten-free flour and baking powder with greek yogurt.

Easy Gluten-free Soft Pretzel Bites - Yeast-free! (3)

Keep mashing the mixture with a spoon until you have a shaggy dough. Then, knead the dough a bit to form a smooth ball.

Easy Gluten-free Soft Pretzel Bites - Yeast-free! (4)

Tips for this Step

  • At first, the dough may seem too dry, but try to knead it a bit to see if it comes together. For me, the ratio of ingredients has worked every time and forms a nice dough after kneading for a minute or two.
  • If your dough remains too dry, knead in a tablespoon of yogurt and see if that helps bring the dough together.
  • If your dough is extremely wet or sticky (a little sticky is ok), knead in a tablespoon of flour at a time until you get a dough that isn't so sticky.
  • The longer you fiddle with the dough, the harder it gets to work with because the baking powder and yogurt start to activate.

Turn Dough into Pretzel Bites

Now it's time to turn the dough into pretzels! To do this, scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and form it into an oval nugget shape.

Easy Gluten-free Soft Pretzel Bites - Yeast-free! (5)

Meanwhile, bring baking soda and water to a boil just to dissolve the baking soda and remove from heat. Then dip each piece of dough into the baking soda wash. Place the bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake the pretzel bites until they are a deep golden brown.

Easy Gluten-free Soft Pretzel Bites - Yeast-free! (6)

Once they have baked, dip the bites in melted butter and sprinkle with sea salt. Or for a variation, you can sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar instead of salt!

That's it! Once they've been sufficiently buttered and salted, you can let the pretzels cool a bit but serve them while they are still warm. That is when they are truly the best!

Easy Gluten-free Soft Pretzel Bites - Yeast-free! (7)

Tips

  • Dip quickly in the baking soda wash: You don't need or want them to soak in the baking soda water. If they soak up too much of the wash, they will get a horrible taste.
  • These are best eaten fresh. Leftovers will keep for a day or two at room temp and can be reheated in the microwave, but for the best taste and flavor plan to eat or serve them soon after they have baked.

Now it's your turn to make some pretzels! Tell me in the comments what your go-to pretzel is, salted or cinnamon-sugar? Also, tell me what you plan to dunk them in! Maybe some whipped cream cheese? Or homemade gluten-free ranch dip?

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Recipe

Easy Gluten-free Soft Pretzel Bites - Yeast-free! (12)

Easy Gluten-free Pretzel Bites

Katie Olesen

Gluten-free soft pretzel bites are so quick to make using three-ingredient dough. They taste just like a soft pretzel from the mall! Give them a taste and you'll never guess they were gluten-free!

4.86 from 14 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

Three-Ingredient Dough

  • 1 cup gluten-free flour blend, , 1:1 flour like Namaste Perfect Flour blend or King Arthur Measure for Measure
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • cup greek yogurt

Baking Soda Wash

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda

Pretzel Topping

  • 3 tablespoons butter, , melted
  • Coarse sea salt, , or cinnamon-sugar
  • Cream cheese, cheese sauce, or other favorite pretzel dipping sauce

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  • Whisk together flour and baking powder.

  • Combine flour mixture with greek yogurt into a shaggy dough.

  • Pour the mixture onto a piece of parchment paper.

  • Knead the dough together until it forms a smooth ball.

  • In a small saucepan, dissolve baking soda in water over medium heat. Remove from heat and form pretzels.

  • Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough at a time and form it into oval nugget shapes.

  • Quickly dip each bite into the baking soda water and then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

  • Bake at 425°F for 15-17 minutes or until deep golden brown.

  • While still warm, toss the pretzel bites in melted butter and sprinkle with coarse sea salt or cinnamon-sugar.

  • Serve while still warm with your favorite pretzel dipping sauces.

Notes

  • At first, the dough may seem too dry, but try to knead it a bit to see if it comes together. For me, the ratio of ingredients has worked every time and forms a nice dough after kneading for a minute or two.
  • If your dough remains too dry, knead in a tablespoon of yogurt and see if that helps bring the dough together.
  • If your dough is extremely wet or sticky (a little sticky is ok), knead in a tablespoon of flour at a time until you get a dough that isn't so sticky.
  • Dip quickly in baking soda wash. If you leave bites in the wash too long they will soak up too much and have a terrible flavor.
  • These are best fresh! Plan to serve soon after they have baked. Leftovers will keep for a couple of days in the fridge and can be reheated in the microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 1biteCalories: 49kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 281mgPotassium: 12mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 66IUCalcium: 44mgIron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and star rating below!

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  • Gluten-free French Onion Chip Dip
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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Eve

    Easy Gluten-free Soft Pretzel Bites - Yeast-free! (17)
    These are amazing! My husband and I made these and were so shocked at how great they are! They have such a good flavor and you can't even tell they are gluten free. We made a cheese dipping sauce by combining cheddar and mozzarella on the stovetop. I am so impressed with this gluten free recipe! Thanks for sharing it!

    Reply

  2. Tessa

    Mine all stuck to the parchment paper…any suggestions??

    Reply

    • Katie Olesen

      Hi Tessa! Personally, I've never had this issue with pretzels sticking to parchment paper. However, to address your concern, I will add a note to grease the parchment paper for future bakers. Please ensure that you are using parchment paper and not wax paper or freezer paper. Additionally, using good quality parchment paper is crucial as lower quality or thin parchment paper may not provide the same non-stick properties. The last thing to check is if the dough was extremely wet or sticky or if the pretzels were over baked, then sticking could potentially become an issue. I hope these suggestions help in preventing any sticking issues in the future!

      Reply

      • Tessa

        Thank you! There was a lot of water on the paper because I went from the baking soda water to the parchment. Should I have dried them with a paper towel before putting them on the parchment?

        Reply

        • Katie Olesen

          Ok, that makes sense then. Maybe just let them drain a bit better. I use a slotted spoon when I make them.

          Reply

  3. Suzy Winkler

    Could this work with a plant based yogurt? ie cashew or coconut?
    Same question for the flat bread / naan recipe!

    Thank you!

    Reply

    • Suzy

      Update: I tried the flatbread recipe using 'dairy free' Kitehill-plain unsweetened almond milk yogurt and it worked very well!

      Reply

      • Katie | Wheat by the Wayside

        Great to hear! Thanks for sharing! (Sorry I missed your previous question!)

        Reply

  4. Kathie Childers

    Easy Gluten-free Soft Pretzel Bites - Yeast-free! (18)
    Ohmigosh, these pretzels were amazing! They browned up beautifully for me. The only thing I did differently was I par-boiled the bites for about 30 seconds on each side before putting in the oven. Definitely going to have to double the batch or triple LOL because these were inhaled immediately.

    Reply

    • Katie | Wheat by the Wayside

      That's great to hear, Kathie! Glad you enjoyed them!

      Reply

  5. margot leslie

    these were delicious but how do I get them to brown like your photo?

    Reply

    • Katie | Wheat by the Wayside

      The baking soda wash is what helps with that. Everything I do to make them brown is noted in the recipe. Maybe they weren't baked quite long enough or maybe it was a difference in the flour? These were tested with Namaste and King Arthur.

      Reply

  6. Stacy Jenkins

    Easy Gluten-free Soft Pretzel Bites - Yeast-free! (19)
    They were ok. Texture was a little thick, I'll try making them smaller next time. I will also be sure to turn these more in the oven for more even browning. Cinnamon sugar makes everything taste better. I had no problem with though ratio for dough and geek yogurt. I used King Arthur 1:1 flour.

    Reply

  7. Katie

    What is the serving size for this recipe? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Katie | Wheat by the Wayside

      The info listed is for 1 pretzel bite. I've updated the recipe card. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. If you need very precise info, I still recommend double-checking with your own calculator. The nutritional information is for reference only, as I'm not a dietician. Thanks!

      Reply

  8. Heather

    Hi! Can you use goat milk yogurt???

    Reply

    • Katie | Wheat by the Wayside

      Hi, I have not tested this but I do think it should work as long as the yogurt is thick like greek yogurt.

      Reply

  9. Barbara Porter

    Easy Gluten-free Soft Pretzel Bites - Yeast-free! (20)
    These pretzels look amazing!

    Reply

    • Katie | Wheat by the Wayside

      Thanks! They sure do taste good too!

      Reply

Easy Gluten-free Soft Pretzel Bites - Yeast-free! (2024)

FAQs

Do soft pretzels contain yeast? ›

How to Make Soft Pretzels, Step by Step. Gather your ingredients: flour, yeast, sugar, salt, water, and oil. Add the water and oil. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.

Are snyders gluten free pretzels celiac safe? ›

In our commitment to promoting healthier living, Snyder's of Hanover® is proud to offer Gluten-Free snacks to the millions of people living with celiac disease or following a Gluten-Free lifestyle.

Are Auntie Anne's pretzels gluten free? ›

We strongly recommend that anyone with an allergic condition or sensitivity to nuts, gluten, or other food allergens NOT consume our products. Products may contain allergens or sensitivities as an ingredient, or they may contain them as they share common equipment at the store level and/or at the manufacturing plants.

Does Rold Gold make gluten free pretzels? ›

No, Rold Gold pretzels are not safe for those with gluten allergies. They are made with wheat flour and contain gluten.

Does ice cream have yeast? ›

Milk doesn't contain yeast, but some other dairy products are made by fermentation, which means that they may contain yeast. If you're trying to avoid yeast, don't eat yogurt, kefir, buttermilk or cheese. Butter, cream and ice cream, however, are not likely to contain yeast.

Do pickles have yeast? ›

The descriptions, dried, pickled, cultured, and fermented, all give indication of the presence of yeast. Eating out is not difficult provided cheese dishes, any food with vinegar or alcohol, pickles, and mushrooms or truffles are avoided.

Are gluten-free pretzels inflammatory? ›

While gluten free pretzels exist, they often use other inflammatory grains and oils, and they are highly processed and devoid of nutrients. Of course, gluten free pretzels can be enjoyed in moderation, just include them in your diet sparingly so that your diet consists primarily of healthy whole foods.

Does Aldi's have gluten-free pretzels? ›

Here are 16 foods I always buy at Aldi. I'm a mom of three who is gluten-free, and Aldi is a great place to stock up on pantry essentials. I snag a variety of wraps and pasta alternatives from brands like liveGfree and egglife. The grocery chain also carries gluten-free substitutes for staple snacks, such as pretzels.

Does Trader Joes sell gluten-free pretzels? ›

So many tasty gluten free snacks abound at Trader Joe's. They carry their own brand of gluten free pretzels, as well as Chomps meat sticks and Enjoy Life Foods Protein Bites.

Do Dots homestyle pretzels have gluten? ›

Are DOT'S HOMESTYLE PRETZELS gluten free? No, DOT'S HOMESTYLE PRETZELS are not gluten free as they contain wheat. Are DOT'S HOMESTYLE PRETZELS vegan? No, DOT'S HOMESTYLE PRETZELS are not vegan as they contain dairy.

Are M&Ms gluten free? ›

The following Mars candies have no gluten-containg ingredients: M&Ms (except pretzel, crispy, and potentially seasonal items) Milky Way Caramel Bars (not the original Milky Way Bar) Snickers Bars.

Are Philly soft pretzels gluten free? ›

DOES PHILLY PRETZEL FACTORY SELL A GLUTEN FREE PRETZEL? Unfortunately the answer is no. Philly Pretzel Factory has experimented with gluten free Pretzels, but have yet to be able to develop one that meets the Philly Pretzel Factory standards.

Are Doritos gluten-free? ›

The final verdict: Are Doritos safe to eat if you're gluten-free? Most Doritos flavors aren't gluten-free; the only one that does earn the gluten-free label is the Simply White Organic Cheddar Doritos.

Does Utz make gluten-free pretzels? ›

Try Utz gluten free mini pretzels, with the quality and crunch you've come to know and love! Our gluten free mini pretzels are a satisfying snack while being wheat, dairy, milk, lactose, casein, and egg free. And with 8g of whole grains per serving, snacking never tasted so good.

Are Pringles gluten-free? ›

Are Pringles gluten-free? As most Pringles flavours are made with wheat starch, Pringles are not considered to be gluten-free. They are also not labelled as gluten-free, so best to give them a miss and try some new and exciting gluten-free crisp options instead!

What are soft pretzels made of? ›

Formulation
IngredientBaker's % (based on flour weight)
Bread flour (patent)100.0
Shortening, all purpose, plastic1.5–2.5
Yeast (compressed)2.5–3.0
Water60.0–65.0
3 more rows

What snacks have yeast? ›

The following foods contain yeast as an additive ingredient in preparation. Breads, cakes, biscuits, cookies, crackers, flour, milk, hamburgers buns, hotdog buns, pastries, pretzels, rolls, any meat fried with a breading.

Do pretzel chips have yeast? ›

Ingredients: Corn Starch, Potato Starch, Long Grain White Rice Flour, Corn Fiber, Palm Oil, Sugar, Cellulose Gum, Salt, Sunflower Lecithin, Yeast Extract, Baking Soda, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Citric Acid, Chicory Root Extract.

What is the leavening agent in soft pretzels? ›

Explain that for the Soft Pretzels we will use a biological leavener, yeast, to create the chemical reaction that will make our pretzels rise. Explain that yeast is fungus that provides a distinct flavor in breads. When activated with warm water and sugar, the yeast will begin produce CO2 and alcohol.

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