The biggest difference between regular rolls and soft pretzel rolls, is a baking soda bath. After shaping rolls, pretzel dough gets boiled in water with baking soda for about 30 seconds before baking. That step is responsible for the golden brown crust and distinct pretzel flavor, be it for buns, traditional soft pretzels, or small soft pretzel bites. Another difference is that many pretzel recipes will call for brown sugar instead of granulated, but if you only have regular sugar you can still make pretzels.