Description
These homemade soft pretzels are golden brown, perfectly salted, with a soft and slightly chewy texture. Easy to make with simple ingredients, they’re perfect as a snack, appetizer, or part of any meal.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F or 45°C)
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 tablespoon sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
10 cups water
2/3 cup baking soda
1/4 cup coarse sea salt (or pretzel salt)
1 tablespoon melted butter (optional, for brushing)
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Make the dough: Combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and melted butter, stir to combine. Knead for 7-10 minutes until smooth.
- Let the dough rise: Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape the pretzels: Punch down the dough, divide into 8 pieces, roll into 18-inch ropes, and shape into pretzels. Pinch the ends to seal.
- Prepare the baking soda bath: Boil 10 cups water, add baking soda, and stir.
- Boil the pretzels: Drop pretzels in boiling water for 30 seconds each. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on parchment-lined sheet.
- Bake the pretzels: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C), sprinkle with sea salt, and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Finish and serve: Brush with melted butter (optional), cool slightly, and serve warm with your favorite dip.
Notes
For cheese-stuffed pretzels, add cheese cubes inside the dough before shaping.
For a sweet twist, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar after baking.
Use gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version.
Freeze unbaked shaped pretzels for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 425°F (220°C) for 18-20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Boiling and Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
