Prepare the dough:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine yeast, water, and sugar, and stir to dissolve. Let the yeast mixture rest for 5 minutes until it turns foamy.
2. Add flour, salt, and melted butter. Use a silicone spatula to stir well to combine until it forms a shaggy dough and no dry flour is visible in the bowl. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl with the spatula.
3. Knead the dough on a clean surface for 5 to 7 minutes until the surface of the dough is smooth. You can also knead the dough in a stand mixer with the dough hook attached on medium speed for 3-5 minutes.
4. Transfer the dough back into the bowl and cover with plastic cling wrap. Let it rest for up to 1 hour at room temperature until the dough doubles in size. TIP: Lightly brush some oil over the dough ball to prevent it from losing moisture.

Shape the pretzels:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F.
2. Use a bench scraper to divide the dough into 6 equal pieces.
3. Use your hands to shape each piece into a ball. Then, roll each dough ball into a long rope approximately 20-inches long. Cut each rope into 2-inch pieces.
4. Cover the shaped pretzels with plastic cling wrap, as you prepare the water bath. Lightly flour the dough pieces if needed.

Prepare the water bath:

1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Add water and baking soda in a large pot and bring it to a boil. Drop 5 pretzel bites into the boiling water at a time, making sure that they have enough room to float around. Boil the pretzel bites for about 20 seconds. The longer you boil the pretzels, the chewier and browner the pretzels get after baking.
3. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pretzel bites. Transfer them onto the prepared baking sheet, slightly spaced apart to prevent sticking. Let them dry for 5 minutes.
4. Brush the egg wash over each piece and sprinkle salt flakes on top. Egg wash makes the pretzels brown during baking and also helps the salt flakes stick to the pretzels.

Bake the pretzel bites:

1. Bake the pretzels (in batches) in a 400F preheated oven for 15 minutes until golden brown.

2. Transfer the pretzels to a wire rack to cool completely.