Description
This Homemade Soft Pretzels recipe delivers warm, soft, and chewy pretzels with a golden crust. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, these pretzels feature a traditional baking soda water bath that gives them their characteristic texture and flavor. Made from simple ingredients and baked to perfection, they are great for parties or a comforting treat at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ tsp)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Baking Soda Bath
- â…” cup baking soda
- 10 cups water
Topping
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse salt for topping
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Stir in the salt and melted butter. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing until a dough begins to form. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat and Prepare Baking: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Meanwhile, bring 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in a large pot.
- Shape Pretzels: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 20- to 24-inch rope, then twist into a traditional pretzel shape.
- Baking Soda Bath: Using a slotted spoon, carefully dip each pretzel into the boiling baking soda water for 20 to 30 seconds. This bath helps create the classic crust.
- Prepare for Baking: Remove the pretzels from the water bath and place them onto the prepared baking sheets. Brush each pretzel with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse salt.
- Bake: Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until they turn a beautiful golden brown color.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pretzels from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- For a sweet variation, skip the coarse salt topping and instead sprinkle cinnamon sugar on the pretzels after baking.
- Serve these soft pretzels with your favorite dips such as mustard, cheese dip, or warm chocolate sauce for extra flavor.
