Begin by warming your water to about 110°F (43°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the warm water, active yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until it becomes frothy.
Once the yeast mixture is frothy, add in the kosher salt and flour. Stir until the mixture forms a dough. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour until it’s manageable.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until it doubles in size.
While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). In a large pot, bring about 10 cups of water to a boil, then carefully add the baking soda.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down and place it on a floured surface. Roll the dough into a long rope, about 1-inch thick. Cut the rope into 1-inch pieces to form your pretzel bites.
Using a slotted spoon, carefully drop the pretzel bites into the boiling baking soda bath for about 30 seconds. Remove them and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Brush each pretzel bite with the whisked egg wash, then sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Once baked, remove the pretzel bites from the oven and brush with melted butter if desired. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces, and enjoy!