Pretzel Bites

Ingredients
*10.5 oz AP flour
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 tsp sugar
* 1/4 oz yeast
* 7/8 - 1 cup water (less in summer, more in winter)
* 1 cup boiling water
* 2 tbsp baking soda
* coarse salt

Directions
1. Place the first 5 ingredients in a stand mixer bowl.  Beat with the paddle until well combined, and then switch to the bread hook  Knead the dough for 5 minutes until the dough is soft, smooth and quite slack.  Grease and flour a small bowl. Place the dough inside, and cover.  Let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
2. While the dough is resting, combine the boiling water with the baking soda to dissolve it.  Set it aside to cool.
3. Preheat the oven to 400 F.  Prepare 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. After the dough has rested, transfer the dough to a lightly greased work surface.  Divide the dough into 6 pieces.  Roll each piece into a 12-15 inch rope.  Cut each rope into 10-15 pieces.
5. Pour the water and baking soda solution into a 9 x 13 pan.  Place the bites in the solution, and swish around.  Leave the bites in the solution for 3-4 minutes.  Transfer the bites to the parchment lined baking sheets.  Sprinkle with coarse salt.
6. Bake the pretzel bites for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.  Enjoy immediately, or leave covered at room temperature to enjoy later.  Reheat briefly in the oven or microwave.

Notes
Pretty easy recipe!  And the kids loved that for a yeast dough it was a quick process - only one rise time.  They loved making and eating them!  Hannah suggested a nacho cheese sauce...maybe next time!  :)