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Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 114 reviews

This homemade soft pretzel recipe yields golden, chewy pretzels with a perfect crust, topped with coarse salt and everything but the bagel seasoning. Made with simple ingredients like yeast, flour, and olive oil, these pretzels are boiled briefly in baking soda water before baking to achieve the traditional texture and flavor. Perfect for snacks or paired with your favorite dip.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 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

Boiling Solution

  • 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 the warm water, active dry yeast, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. Whisk the ingredients together thoroughly, then let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is activated.
  2. Mix and Knead Dough: Add the flour, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Attach the kneading hook to your stand mixer and knead on low speed for about 5 minutes until the dough forms a smooth ball that springs back when pressed. Alternatively, knead by hand until the same texture is achieved.
  3. First Rise: Remove the dough from the bowl and drizzle a bit of olive oil over it. Return the dough to the bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Place it in a warm spot to rise for approximately 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
  4. Divide Dough: Once risen, punch down the dough to release air. On a floured surface, use a bench scraper or sharp knife to divide the dough evenly into 12 pieces.
  5. Shape Pretzels: Roll each piece into a rope about 18-24 inches long, then twist and fold it into the classic pretzel shape. Reviewing a tutorial video might help perfect the shaping technique.
  6. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 450°F (232°C) so it is ready for baking.
  7. Boil Pretzels: In a large pot, bring 6 cups of water and baking soda to a boil. Dip each pretzel into the boiling solution for 15-30 seconds, which helps form a chewy crust when baked. Remove pretzels carefully and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  8. Apply Toppings: Immediately brush each pretzel with beaten egg to give them a glossy finish. Sprinkle coarse salt and everything but the bagel seasoning evenly over the tops.
  9. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake pretzels for 10-11 minutes or until they turn golden brown and develop a firm crust.
  10. Cool Pretzels: Remove the baked pretzels from the oven and transfer them onto a wire rack to cool slightly, which prevents sogginess from steam.
  11. Serve: Enjoy your soft pretzels warm with your favorite dip, such as melted cheese or mustard.

Notes

  • Ensure water is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
  • Use a damp cloth during the rise to prevent the dough from drying out.
  • Boiling the pretzels in baking soda water is essential for achieving that signature chewy crust.
  • Be careful not to overboil the pretzels; 15-30 seconds is sufficient.
  • Experiment with toppings like sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or cinnamon sugar for variety.
  • For softer pretzels, cover with a clean kitchen towel after baking while they cool.

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

Find it online: https://tastewithamy.com/homemade-soft-pretzels-recipe/