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Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe

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4.6 from 90 reviews

Homemade Soft Pretzels recipe that delivers warm, chewy, and golden-brown pretzels with a perfect balance of salty and savory flavors. This step-by-step guide walks you through activating yeast, kneading dough, shaping pretzels, and baking them to perfection using a baking soda bath for that classic pretzel crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 2 and 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 and 1/2 cups warm water
  • 4 and 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tsp salt

Baking Soda Bath

  • 6 cups water
  • 2 tbsp baking soda

Toppings

  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • Coarse salt (for topping)
  • Everything but the bagel seasoning (optional topping)

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm water, active dry yeast, and brown sugar. Whisk to mix and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Make Dough: Add flour, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Attach the kneading hook and knead on low for about 5 minutes until the dough forms a cohesive ball and springs back when pressed. Alternatively, knead by hand if no mixer is available.
  3. First Rise: Lightly oil the dough and place it back in the bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and leave in a warm area to rise for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
  4. Divide Dough: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces using a bench scraper or sharp knife on a floured surface.
  5. Shape Pretzels: Roll each piece into an 18-24 inch rope, then twist into a traditional pretzel shape. Watching a video tutorial can help with perfect shaping.
  6. Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 450°F (232°C) and prepare for baking.
  7. Prepare Baking Soda Bath: Bring 6 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda to a rolling boil in a large pot. Dip each formed pretzel into the boiling solution for 15-30 seconds, then transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  8. Apply Egg Wash and Toppings: Immediately brush each pretzel with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt and everything but the bagel seasoning for an extra flavor boost.
  9. Bake Pretzels: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-11 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
  10. Cool: Remove pretzels from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
  11. Serve: Enjoy warm with your favorite dips, such as cheese sauce, mustard, or honey mustard.

Notes

  • Make sure the water used to activate yeast and for the dough is warm, not hot, ideally around 100°F to 110°F to avoid killing the yeast.
  • For best results, use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour for chewier pretzels.
  • Boiling pretzels in baking soda water is key for that signature crust and chewy texture.
  • Brush with egg wash to achieve a glossy, golden finish.
  • Feel free to experiment with toppings beyond coarse salt, such as sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or garlic salt.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or freeze for longer storage.

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

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