Pin It Warm, golden-brown pretzels with a soft, chewy interior and classic salty crust—perfect for snacking or sharing.
Making these pretzels brought back fond memories of family baking sessions and sharing warm treats fresh from the oven.
Ingredients
- Dough: 1 ½ cups (360 ml) warm water (about 110°F/43°C), 2 ¼ tsp (7 g 1 packet) active dry yeast, 1 tbsp (12 g) granulated sugar, 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour, 1 tsp (6 g) fine sea salt, 2 tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter melted
- Boiling & Topping: 10 cups (2.4 L) water, ⅔ cup (90 g) baking soda, 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tbsp water, Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a large bowl combine warm water yeast and sugar Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy
- Step 2:
- Add flour salt and melted butter Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms
- Step 3:
- Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 57 minutes until smooth and elastic
- Step 4:
- Place dough in a greased bowl cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size
- Step 5:
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C) Line two baking sheets with parchment paper
- Step 6:
- In a large pot bring 10 cups water and baking soda to a boil
- Step 7:
- Punch down the dough and divide into 8 equal pieces Roll each into a 20-inch (50 cm) rope
- Step 8:
- Shape each rope into a pretzel form a U twist the ends twice then press onto the bottom of the U
- Step 9:
- Carefully dip each pretzel into the boiling baking soda solution for 30 seconds use a slotted spatula to transfer to prepared baking sheets
- Step 10:
- Brush pretzels with egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse salt
- Step 11:
- Bake for 1215 minutes until deep golden-brown
- Step 12:
- Cool slightly on a wire rack before serving
Pin It Baking soft pretzels has become a cherished family moment where everyone gathers to shape and enjoy the warm treats.
Required Tools
Large mixing bowl Measuring cups and spoons Wooden spoon Stand mixer with dough hook (optional) Large pot Slotted spatula Baking sheets Parchment paper Pastry brush
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (gluten) Eggs Milk (butter) May contain traces of nuts or soy if ingredients are processed in shared facilities Always double-check labels for allergens
Nutritional Information
Per pretzel Calories 220 Total Fat 3 g Carbohydrates 42 g Protein 6 g
Pin It
Enjoy your homemade soft pretzels fresh and warm for the best experience.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I achieve the soft interior?
Proper kneading and adequate rising time ensure a tender, chewy texture inside the pretzels.
- → Why is a baking soda bath necessary?
Dipping the shaped dough in baking soda solution before baking produces the classic golden crust and distinctive flavor.
- → Can I use a stand mixer for the dough?
Yes, a stand mixer with a dough hook can simplify mixing and kneading but doing it by hand works equally well.
- → What are some serving suggestions?
Pretzels pair beautifully with mustard, cheese dip, or can be enjoyed plain for a simple snack.
- → How do I store leftover pretzels?
Store leftovers in an airtight container or freeze them; reheat in an oven at 350°F for best results.