Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe

Introduction

Homemade soft pretzels are a delightful treat with a chewy interior and a golden, crispy crust. Perfect for snacking or serving at gatherings, this recipe guides you through creating authentic, bakery-style pretzels right in your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 2 and a 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 and a 1/2 cups warm water
• 4 and a 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 6 cups water
• 2 tbsp baking soda
• 1 egg
• Coarse salt (for topping)
• Everything but the bagel seasoning (for topping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Combine warm water, yeast, and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk well and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy and bubbly.
2. Step 2: Add flour, olive oil, and salt to the bowl. Attach the kneading hook and knead on low for about five minutes until the dough forms a ball and springs back when pressed. Alternatively, knead by hand.
3. Step 3: Remove the dough, drizzle with olive oil, and place back in the bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm spot for about one hour or until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces on a floured surface using a bench scraper or sharp knife.
5. Step 5: Roll each piece into an 18-24 inch rope and shape into a pretzel. If needed, watch a tutorial for pretzel shaping to get it just right.
6. Step 6: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
7. Step 7: Boil a large pot of water with baking soda. Dip each pretzel into the boiling water for 15-30 seconds, then transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
8. Step 8: Brush each pretzel with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt and everything but the bagel seasoning.
9. Step 9: Bake pretzels for 10-11 minutes until golden brown.
10. Step 10: Remove pretzels and cool on a wire rack.
11. Step 11: Serve warm with your favorite dip, such as cheese, and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use bread flour instead of all-purpose for a chewier texture.
• Try adding garlic powder or cinnamon sugar as alternative toppings for different flavor profiles.
• If you don’t have a stand mixer, kneading by hand works just fine—just be patient as it takes a bit more effort.

Storage

Store leftover pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze them wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore softness and warmth.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes, you can substitute instant yeast but skip the proofing step with warm water and sugar. Mix it directly with the flour and dry ingredients.

Why do I need to boil pretzels in baking soda water?

Boiling in baking soda water gives pretzels their characteristic chewy crust and helps develop the deep brown color when baked.

Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe

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4.5 from 144 reviews

These homemade soft pretzels are golden, chewy, and perfect for snacking or serving with your favorite dips. Made from scratch with simple ingredients, they feature a classic pretzel shape and are boiled briefly in a baking soda bath to achieve their iconic crust. Topped with coarse salt and ‘everything but the bagel’ seasoning, they are baked until beautifully golden and irresistibly soft inside.

• Author: reem
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 11 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 pretzels 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 2 and a 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 and a 1/2 cups warm water
• 4 and a 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tsp salt

Baking Soda Bath

• 6 cups water
• 2 tbsp baking soda

Topping

• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• Coarse salt (for topping)
• Everything but the bagel seasoning (for topping)

Instructions

1. Activate Yeast: Combine warm water, active dry yeast, and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk well and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is active.
2. Make Dough: Add flour, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Attach the kneading hook and knead on low speed for about five minutes until the dough forms a smooth ball and springs back when pressed. Alternatively, knead by hand until elastic.
3. First Rise: Remove the dough, drizzle with olive oil, and place it back into the bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about one hour or until doubled in size.
4. Divide Dough: Punch down the risen dough to release air. On a floured surface, use a bench scraper or sharp knife to divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
5. Shape Pretzels: Roll each piece into a rope approximately 18-24 inches long. Twist each rope into the traditional pretzel shape. Watching a video guide can help master this step.
6. Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 450°F (232°C) to prepare for baking.
7. Prepare Baking Soda Bath: In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water with 2 tablespoons of baking soda to a rolling boil.
8. Boil Pretzels: Dip each shaped pretzel in the boiling baking soda water for 15 to 30 seconds, then remove and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
9. Apply Toppings: Immediately brush each pretzel with beaten egg wash, then sprinkle generously with coarse salt and ‘everything but the bagel’ seasoning.
10. Bake Pretzels: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-11 minutes until the pretzels are golden brown.
11. Cool and Serve: Remove pretzels from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving with your favorite dips, such as cheese sauce.

Notes

• Warm water for yeast activation should be about 100-110°F for best results.
• Kneading by hand requires about 8-10 minutes until dough is elastic and smooth.
• Boiling in baking soda water creates the distinctive chewy crust and glossy surface.
• Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and easy cleanup.
• Everything but the bagel seasoning adds extra flavor but can be substituted with just coarse salt if desired.
• Allow pretzels to cool briefly before eating as they are very hot straight from the oven.

Keywords: soft pretzels, homemade pretzels, baking soda pretzels, snack recipe, easy pretzels