Dragon Breath Pretzels
Ignite your taste buds with these fiery Dragon Breath Pretzels, the perfect combination of soft, golden-baked dough and bold, spicy cheese topping. Infused with a smoky kick from paprika and cayenne pepper and crowned with melted pepper jack cheese, these pretzels deliver an irresistible blend of heat and flavor in every bite. The dough is hand-twisted and dipped in a baking soda bath for that signature chewy texture before being baked to perfection. Topped with coarse sea salt for a salty crunch, these pretzels are as fun to make as they are to eat. Whether you're hosting game night or simply treating yourself, these spicy homemade pretzels are bound to impress.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups All-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups Warm water (about 110°F)
- 2.25 teaspoons Active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter, melted
- 2.3 cups Baking soda
- 4 cups Hot water
- 1.5 cups Shredded pepper jack cheese
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon Coarse sea salt or pretzel salt
- 1 Egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon Water
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy, indicating that the yeast is active.
Add the melted butter and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually mix in the flour, one cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5–7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large heatproof bowl, prepare the baking soda bath by mixing the baking soda with 4 cups of hot water. Stir until dissolved and set aside.
Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope approximately 18–20 inches long and twist into a pretzel shape.
Dip each pretzel into the baking soda bath for 20–30 seconds, then place it onto the prepared baking sheet.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush each pretzel lightly with the egg wash.
In another small bowl, combine the smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle the spicy seasoning blend evenly over the pretzels, followed by the shredded pepper jack cheese and a touch of coarse sea salt.
Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
Allow the pretzels to cool slightly on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2847 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 98.6 g | 126% | |
| Saturated Fat | 60.3 g | 301% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 458 mg | 152% | |
| Sodium | 148320 mg | 6449% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 390.0 g | 142% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.5 g | 55% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.5 g | ||
| Protein | 97.8 g | 196% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.4 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 1416 mg | 109% | |
| Iron | 24.8 mg | 138% | |
| Potassium | 878 mg | 19% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
