Description
A straightforward guide to making delicious soft pretzels at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup warm water (105-115°F)
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for greasing
- 10 cups water for boiling
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse salt, for topping
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Lightly grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Stir in the baking soda.
- Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a rope about 24 inches long. Twist each rope into a pretzel shape.
- Carefully place each pretzel into the boiling baking soda water for 30 seconds, flipping halfway through.
- Remove the pretzels with a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Brush the tops of the pretzels with the beaten egg wash. Sprinkle generously with coarse salt.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
- For a chewier pretzel, you can increase the boiling time slightly.
- Experiment with different toppings like sesame seeds or cinnamon sugar after the egg wash.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: soft pretzels, homemade pretzels, easy pretzel recipe, baking pretzels, snack recipe, yeast dough