In a mixing bowl, mix together the warm water, sugar, yeast and melted butter. Let sit for 10 minutes for the yeast mixture to get foamy.
Using the dough hook of your mixer, begin adding four and a half cups of flour; one cup at a time.
Set your timer for 5 minutes and begin letting the machine "knead" the dough; adding more flour as necessary. (I added almost another ½ cup of flour while the dough was kneading.)
Turn the dough out onto a floured cutting board and form into a ball.
Place into a lightly greased bowl, cover and let rise for about an hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
Once the dough has doubled in size, break off pieces of the dough and start forming long ropes.
Cut the long ropes into one inch pieces and place on a baking tray; trying not to let the pieces touch each other.
Place the 3 quarts of water into a large pot and bring to a boil.
Once the water is boiling, slowly add in the baking soda; a little at a time. Do NOT pour all the baking soda in at once or you will have a huge mess.
Begin adding your pretzel bites into the boiling water/baking soda mixture - about 10 to 15 at a time.
Let the bites boil for about 30 to 40 seconds and remove with a slotted spoon to a baking tray that's been lined with parchment paper or a slipat mat.
Brush the pretzel bites with the egg wash and then add the salt.
Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for about 15 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Remove the pretzel bites from the oven and let cool on a cooling rack.
Notes
Make sure you use the baking soda bath. This gives the pretzel bites their golden brown color and distinctive pretzel flavor.