Soft Pretzels are a warm, chewy treat with a crisp exterior and a signature salty topping. This easy recipe shows you how to make them at home!
Hello friend! Get ready to have your taste buds sing with the deliciousness of homemade Soft Pretzels.
These aren’t your run-of-the-mill snacks; they’re soft, chewy pillows of dough with a delightful golden crust and a sprinkle of coarse salt that makes them irresistible. Forget store-bought pretzels, because this recipe will have you baking up a storm of warm, homemade goodness.
Let’s get started and create a batch of these pretzels that’ll have everyone asking for more!
Utensils You Need:
Gather these tools and let’s bake some pretzels:
- Large bowl
- Small saucepan
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Slotted spoon
The Recipe
Soft Pretzels
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Coarse salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine warm water and sugar. Sprinkle yeast on top and let stand for 5 minutes, or until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture and melted butter to the flour mixture.
- Stir until a dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large saucepan, bring 10 cups of water and baking soda to a boil.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a 20-inch rope.
- Twist the rope into a pretzel shape and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Using a slotted spoon, carefully dip each pretzel into the boiling water for 30 seconds.
- Return pretzels to the baking sheet.
- Brush each pretzel with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Notes
- Make sure the water is not too hot when you add the yeast, or it will kill the yeast and the dough won’t rise.
- Kneading the dough is important for developing the gluten, which gives the pretzels their chewy texture.
- The baking soda bath helps the pretzels develop their characteristic brown color and chewy crust.
- If you don’t have coarse salt, you can use regular table salt, but the pretzels won’t have as much of a salty flavor.
Alternative Ingredients:
If you do not have the ingredients I listed above, do not worry. You can swap them out for the alternatives below:
| Ingredient | Alternative |
| Active dry yeast | Instant yeast |
| Unsalted butter | Salted butter or margarine |
| All-purpose flour | Bread flour |
| Coarse salt | Pretzel salt or table salt |
What to Serve with Soft Pretzels:
You can pair this delicious Soft Pretzels with the following:
- Mustard
- Cheese sauce
- Honey mustard
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use a stand mixer to knead the dough?
Yes, you can use a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment to knead the dough.
Can I make pretzel bites instead of full-sized pretzels?
Yes, you can divide the dough into smaller pieces and shape them into bite-sized pretzels. Reduce the baking time accordingly.
Can I make the pretzels ahead of time?
Yes, you can shape the pretzels and place them on the baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate them overnight. When ready to bake, bring them to room temperature and proceed with the recipe.
Can I freeze the pretzels?
Yes, you can freeze the baked pretzels after they have cooled completely. Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for 5-10 minutes.
Can I use a different type of topping?
Absolutely! You can try everything bagel seasoning, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or even cinnamon sugar.
