Pretzel Bites

Coat a bowl with nonstick spray.

Whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, and ½ tsp. kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer; add ¾ cup water and butter. Fit mixer with dough hook.

Mix dough on medium speed until combined and dough pulls away from sides of bowl, 3–4 minutes. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and slightly sticky.

Place dough into prepared bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Line a baking sheet with parchment; lightly coat with nonstick spray.

Punch down dough, divide into four even pieces, and shape into smooth balls; cover with plastic wrap while shaping. Roll each dough ball into a 12-inch rope. Cut each rope crosswise into 1-inch pieces and place onto prepared baking sheet.

Preheat oven to 400°.

Boil 8 cups water in a pot; stir in baking soda and 1 Tbsp. kosher salt. Drop 10–15 bites into boiling water for 30 seconds; transfer to same baking sheet. Repeat boiling with remaining bites.

Whisk together egg and 1 Tbsp. water, then brush on bites; sprinkle with pretzel salt.

Bake bites until dark brown, 12–15 minutes; transfer to a rack to cool.