The dough can be made in a bread machine set on the dough setting, just add all of the dough ingredients to the machine, and allow the dough cycle to run. Pick up with kneading the dough, if made in the bread machine.
If making by hand:
Combine the water, sugar, yeast, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook or a food processor, and mix until combined. Let sit for 5 minutes.
Add the salt and flour and mix on low speed until combined. Increase the speed to medium and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl, about 3 to 4 minutes. If the dough appears too wet, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.
Once dough is made:
Remove the dough from the bowl or the bread machine, place on a lightly floured surface, and knead into a ball with your hands.
Lightly oil a bowl, and place the dough in the bowl. Turn the dough to coat the dough with the oil. Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 425 ° F.
Bring the 3 quarts of water to a boil in a small roasting pan over high heat and add the baking soda.
Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces, about 4 ¼ to 4 ½ ounces each. Roll each piece into a long rope measuring about 22 inches.
Cut the dough into approximately one-inch pieces to make the pretzel bites. Boil the pretzel bites in the baking soda-water solution, in batches, about 15 at a time. Boil for about 30 seconds.
Remove the boiled pretzel bites from the water with a large slotted spoon, and place pretzel bites on a Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheet, making sure the pretzels aren't touching.
Brush the tops with egg wash and season with pretzel salt. Place into oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown.
Remove to a baking rack and let cool. Devour!
Notes
Recipe Notes For the serving size, I figured roughly 5 pieces per person is a serving. Of course, this will vary if you have hungry people who eat more bites!