Step 1

Place 1 1/2 cups warm water, melted butter, brown sugar, yeast, and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment. Mix until well-combined. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes or until it starts to form bubbles.

Step 2

Add 4 cups of flour, 1 cup at a time, beating at low speed after every addition. Add 1/2 cup more flour if the dough is too sticky. Increase the speed to medium and beat until the dough is smooth and starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl, about 4-5 minutes. Add a small amount of flour if the dough is still too tacky.

Step 3

Grease a large mixing bowl with vegetable oil. Place the dough in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let it sit for 1 hour in a warm place, or until it doubles in size.

Step 4

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a sheet pan with non-stick spray.

Step 5

Bring 12 cups of cold water to a boil. Stir in the baking soda as it continues to boil.

Step 6

Remove the dough from the bowl and roll it into a flat disc. Slice it into 8 wedges. Roll each wedge into a 24-inch rope. Slice the ropes into 1-inch pieces.

Step 7

Drop 8-10 dough pieces into the pot of boiling water. Cook for 35 seconds. Place them on the greased sheet pan. Repeat until all pretzel bites are cooked.

Step 8

Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush the egg mixture over the tops of the pretzel bites.

Step 9

Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!