Homemade Soft Pretzels With Salt

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These tasty soft pretzels are easy to make at home and turn out soft and chewy straight from the oven. With minimal resting time, you can have freshly made soft pretzels in less than an hour!

>> You might like this Irresistible Baked Fontina Dip, Chicken Teriyaki Skewers or Prosciutto and Pear Pizza.

soft pretzel

We used to buy these pretzels at Costco when I was young. We ate a LOT of them in our family. They make the best snack, especially slathered with spicy mustard.

Now that I can make them myself, I’m thrilled. They’re way easier to make than you’re probably assuming. Especially if you hear that there’s a baking soda bath involved. Believe me, they’re incredibly simple.

» On a bread kick? Here’s an easy beer bread you can make at home.

How to Make Soft Pretzels

You can make the dough by hand in a mixing bowl or with a stand mixer. The difference is just in time and energy. I usually don’t use my stand mixer, because it’s easy enough to do without it, and I’m lazy.

In whatever bowl you’re using, mix together the warm water, salt, and sugar. Add the yeast, and let rest for 5 minutes until yeast starts to foam.

If your yeast doesn’t foam, it’s likely old or inactive. You’ll need to start again with a fresher yeast. Going ahead without the foam will lead to flat pretzels that don’t rise.

Add the flour and vegetable oil to the bowl and mix it well to form a dough. Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface and knead for 3-5 minutes to form a smooth dough. If you’re using the stand mixer, you can just knead the dough in the mixer with the bread hook.

Put the dough back in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap to rest in a warm place for at least 10 minutes, up to 1 hour. I prefer to rest it for the full hour, if possible, because the yeast has more time to do it’s thing, but if you’re pressed for time, it’s fine to go with less time.

Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).

Cut the dough into 8 pieces. Roll each into a thin rope about 20 inches long. This is where it sounds complicated, but it’s not, I promise.

making soft pretzels

Bring the two ends together to form a circle, with the ends facing you. Twist the ends together once. Now it looks a little like an ankh symbol ☥. Fold the twisted ends up over the top of the circle to form a pretzel shape.

To keep the twisted end from coming loose, press the two pieces together where they overlap.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add baking soda. Once the water is boiling, lower a pretzel on a strainer or slotted spoon into the water. Boil each pretzel for 30 seconds per side.

cooking soft pretzels

Meanwhile, whisk the egg in a bowl and get your basting brush ready.

Once boiled, transfer the pretzels to a wire rack and brush the tops with the egg wash, then sprinkle with course salt. Morton’s coarse salt is fine. If you’re buying it on Amazon, try this SaltWorks Mediterra Coarse Sea Salt.

Bake for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown. Eat them while they’re hot!

homemade soft pretzels

But if you can’t, they’re good for a day or so. You can reheat them in the toaster or oven, to get them nice and warm.

Serve with spicy mustard or this tasty Beer Cheese Dip. For something a little different try dipping them in this Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip.

Can I Freeze Soft Pretzels?

Yes, you can freeze soft pretzels. They’ll last for a month in the freezer, if stored properly.

Wrap them well in plastic wrap and put them in an air tight container to keep ice crystals from forming on their surface.

To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 5-8 minutes.

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homemade soft pretzels

Homemade Soft Pretzels With Salt

Laura
These tasty soft pretzels are easy to make at home and turn out soft and chewy straight from the oven.
4.67 from 6 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Course Appetizers
Cuisine American
Servings 8 pretzels
Calories 321 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups water 360 mL, warm
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 packet active dry yeast 2 1/4 tsp
  • 4 1/2 cups flour 565 g
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup baking soda 120 g
  • 8 cups water 1900 ml
  • 1 egg beaten
  • coarse salt

Instructions
 

  • In a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, mix together the warm water, salt, and sugar. Add the yeast, and let rest for 5 minutes until yeast starts to foam.
  • Add flour and oil to the bowl and mix well to form a dough. Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface and knead for 3-5 minutes to form a smooth dough.
  • Put the dough back in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap to rest in a warm place for at least 10 minutes, up to 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
  • Cut dough into 8 pieces. Roll each into a thin rope about 20 inches long. Bring the two ends together to form a circle, then twist the ends together once. Fold the twisted ends up over the top of the circle to form a pretzel shape.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add baking soda. Boil each pretzel for 30 seconds per side.
  • Transfer pretzels to a wire rack and brush the tops with the egg wash, then sprinkle with salt.
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown.

Notes

  • If you don’t have time to rise the dough for an hour, it can be cut down to 15 minutes. They do turn out slightly fluffier and light with the full hour rise time.
  • It’s okay to skip the baking soda bath, but that is what gives the dough its chewy texture.
  • Once baked, the pretzels can be frozen for up to a month. You can reheat them in the toaster or in the oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 321kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 9gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 4161mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2g
Keyword appetizers, baking, bread
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soft pretzels

12 thoughts on “Homemade Soft Pretzels With Salt

  1. Natalie says:

    These pretzels look fantastic. I never knew they are so easy to make. I’m making this over for the weekend. Thanks for the recipe!

  2. Rachna says:

    These pretzels look so much like the ones you get on those famous street side carts. I am saving the recipe to try it soon.

  3. Jessica Formicola says:

    Oh I love soft pretzels but I’ve never made them at home! This recipe looks perfect and I can’t wait to try it!

4.67 from 6 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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