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The Ultimate Zero-Waste Snack Recipe

The Ultimate Zero-Waste Snack Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 22 reviews

These Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites are a delicious and easy zero-waste snack made from leftover sourdough starter. Crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, they are perfect for snacking or serving with dips. Utilizing baking soda boiling and a simple dough recipe, these pretzel bites combine the tangy flavor of sourdough with a classic soft pretzel texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup sourdough discard
  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or honey
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted

Boiling Solution

  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • Water (enough for boiling)

Topping

  • Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar or honey, and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active and ready to use.
  2. Make Dough: Add the sourdough discard, all-purpose flour, salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic, ensuring proper gluten development for chewy pretzels.
  3. First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise at room temperature for 1–2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
  4. Preheat Oven: About 20 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it is hot enough for proper pretzel crust formation.
  5. Shape Pretzel Bites: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 6–8 equal portions. Roll each portion into long ropes approximately 1/2 inch thick and then cut into 1-inch pieces to form bite-sized pretzels.
  6. Prepare Boiling Solution: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and carefully add the baking soda. This alkaline solution will help create the classic pretzel crust and color.
  7. Boil Pretzel Bites: Using a slotted spoon, boil the pretzel bites in the baking soda water for 30 seconds. Remove and drain them on a paper towel-lined tray to remove excess water.
  8. Season and Bake: Arrange the boiled pretzel bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet, sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt, and bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes or until they turn golden brown and develop a crispy crust.
  9. Cool and Serve: Let the pretzel bites cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy them warm with your favorite dips or as a standalone snack.

Notes

  • Use active dry yeast rather than instant yeast for best results with activation step.
  • The boiling step with baking soda is essential for that authentic pretzel flavor and chewy crust.
  • Feel free to customize with additional toppings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or garlic salt.
  • Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for freshness.
  • Sourdough discard keeps this recipe zero-waste and provides a subtle tang to the flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: sourdough discard pretzel bites, zero waste snack, homemade pretzel bites, sourdough snack, soft pretzels

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/the-ultimate-zero-waste-snack-recipe/