Pretzels
Soft, chewy, and golden brown, these homemade pretzels are the ultimate comfort snack that will make your kitchen smell like a bakery. Crafted with simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, instant yeast, and buttery goodness, these pretzels feature a delightful texture and a characteristic salty finish, thanks to a quick bath in a baking soda solution. Perfectly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, they’re easy to shape into classic pretzel twists and bake to perfection in just 15 minutes. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven brushed with melted butter or dipped into tangy mustard or creamy cheese sauce, these pretzels are a crowd-pleasing treat for any occasion. Ideal for game days, casual gatherings, or a fun baking project, this recipe brings the authentic taste of soft pretzels straight to your home!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2.25 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1.25 teaspoons salt
- 1.5 cups warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 0.5 cup baking soda
- 9 cups water (for baking soda bath)
- 2 tablespoons coarse salt or pretzel salt (for topping)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, granulated sugar, and salt. Mix until well incorporated.
Slowly add the warm water to the dry ingredients while mixing, followed by the 3 tablespoons of melted butter. Continue to mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 6–8 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
Place the kneaded dough into a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise for 1 hour, or until the dough doubles in size.
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
In a large pot, bring 9 cups of water to a boil and carefully stir in the 1/2 cup of baking soda. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a long rope, approximately 20–24 inches in length, and shape into a traditional pretzel shape.
Carefully dip each pretzel into the simmering baking soda bath for about 20–30 seconds. Use a slotted spatula to remove the pretzels and place them onto the prepared baking sheets.
Sprinkle coarse salt or pretzel salt over the pretzels while they are still damp from the baking soda bath.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until the pretzels are golden brown.
Remove the pretzels from the oven and immediately brush them with the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter for extra flavor.
Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as mustard or cheese!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2595 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 63.5 g | 81% | |
| Saturated Fat | 37.5 g | 188% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 156 mg | 52% | |
| Sodium | 46394 mg | 2017% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 440.1 g | 160% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.7 g | 60% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.2 g | ||
| Protein | 59.3 g | 119% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 92 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 25.5 mg | 142% | |
| Potassium | 673 mg | 14% | |
*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.
