Homemade Soft Pretzel Recipe
This soft pretzel recipe creates delicious homemade pretzels that are soft, chewy, and fluffy. They are even better than store-bought pretzels and can be ready in just 35 minutes.
Table of Contents
This recipe features a no-rise dough, just like my favorite pizza dough recipe! This means you can have these soft pretzels ready in no time. It’s a time-saver and makes the whole pretzel-making process so much easier.
Love homemade bread recipes? Then, you’ll definitely want to try my easy English muffin bread which is a no-knead recipe. And for a true breakfast classic, try my cinnamon rolls made from scratch!
This recipe was found in my grandma’s recipe box folded up small. I love the drawn pictures of how to make this recipe. I hope you enjoy the results as much as my family did!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Great Texture: These soft pretzels have a soft, yeasty middle with a more hearty exterior – just the way I like them. Topped with coarse salt, they are absolutely delicious fresh from the oven, warm.
- Homemade Goodness: There’s nothing quite like the feeling of biting into a warm, freshly baked soft pretzel. This recipe brings that comfort and satisfaction into your own kitchen.
- No-Rise Dough: Despite their professional bakery-style look, these soft pretzels are surprisingly easy to make. Plus, the dough is no-rise, which makes it super easy to make, even for beginners!
- Family Favorite: This soft pretzel recipe is a hit with both kids and adults. The soft, chewy pretzels make for a perfect snack or side dish, and they’re always a hit at family gatherings.
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Key Ingredients
- Active Dry Yeast: This is the magic ingredient that will make your pretzels wonderfully fluffy and light. It needs to be activated in warm water before use.
- Warm Water: The perfect temperature of 105˚F to 115˚F is important for activating the yeast. It helps the yeast to dissolve and get to work.
- Granulated Sugar: This will not only add a touch of sweetness to your pretzels, but it also helps to feed the yeast, giving the pretzels a nice rise.
- All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of your pretzels comes from the flour. Start with 3 1/2 cups, and add more as needed, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Egg: This will give your pretzels a beautiful golden-brown shine.
- Coarse Salt: Sprinkle this on top of your pretzels before baking for that classic pretzel flavor. You can also add it to the dough for a saltier pretzel.
Equipment
- Electric Mixer – You’ll need this to mix your dough and kneading attachment to kneading the dough. It makes the whole process a lot easier and ensures that the dough is well combined and has the right texture.
How to Make Soft Pretzel Recipe
Preparation
Start by preheating your oven to 425˚F. This will make sure that it’s at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake your pretzels.
Step 1 – Mix the Ingredients
In a bowl, combine the yeast and warm water. Gradually add the sugar, salt, and flour to form a soft, slightly sticky dough.
Step 2 – Knead the Dough
Kneading helps to develop the gluten in the dough, giving the pretzels their characteristic chewy texture. Cut the dough in half and then into smaller pieces. Roll these pieces into long ropes and shape them into pretzels.
Step 3 – Shape the Pretzels
Place the pretzels on a baking sheet, whisk an egg with water, and brush this mixture onto the pretzels. Sprinkle them with salt for that classic pretzel flavor.
Step 4 – Bake the Pretzels
Pop the pretzels in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they turn a beautiful golden brown. Enjoy your homemade soft pretzels!
Expert Tip
Enlarge the holes on the pretzels using your fingers after shaping each pretzel. This helps to give the pretzels their defined shape even as they bake.
Recipe Variations
- Butter Brush: Instead of using an egg wash, brush the pretzels with melted butter before sprinkling them with salt. This will give them a rich, buttery flavor.
- Garlic Parmesan: For a savory twist, add a teaspoon of garlic powder to the dough and sprinkle the baked pretzels with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Sweet Pretzels: Omit the coarse salt and instead, after brushing with the egg wash, sprinkle the pretzels with cinnamon sugar before baking.
What to Serve With
- For a classic snack, serve your soft pretzels with a side of yellow mustard. The tangy mustard pairs perfectly with the buttery, saltiness of the pretzels.
- If you’re hosting a party, make a big batch of these soft pretzels and serve them with a variety of dips like cheese sauce, marinara, and honey mustard. Your guests will love being able to try different flavor combinations.
- These soft pretzels are also great for a cozy night in. Pair them with a bowl of your favorite soup, like a tomato basil soup or a stuffed pepper soup. The warm, comforting flavors are the perfect match.
Recipe FAQs
The egg wash is brushed onto the pretzels before baking. It gives the pretzels a beautiful golden brown color and a slightly glossy finish. Any remaining egg wash can be discarded.
The water should be between 105˚F to 115˚F to activate the yeast. Water that is too hot can kill the yeast, while water that is too cold won’t activate it. This temperature range is ideal for the yeast to do its job and help the dough rise.
Yes, if you don’t have coarse salt, you can use kosher salt as a substitute. Just make sure to sprinkle the salt on the pretzels before baking to ensure that it sticks.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: After enjoying these soft pretzels, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Freezing: If you want to enjoy them at a later time, these pretzels can be frozen. Once they have completely cooled, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Thawing: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen pretzels, simply let them thaw at room temperature.
- Reheating: Once thawed, you can reheat them in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes.
More Snack Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This soft pretzel recipe yields about 12 delicious pretzels, each one large enough for a satisfying snack or a small meal.
- How to Scale: If you’re planning to serve a larger crowd or just want to have more pretzels on hand, you can easily double the recipe. Follow the instructions as directed.
Homemade Soft Pretzel Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 active dry yeast or 1 yeast packet
- 1 1/3 Cups warm water 105˚F to 115˚F
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
- 3 1/2 – 4 Cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 2 Tablespoons coarse salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425˚F. In the electric mixer bowl combine the yeast and the warm water. On stir speed using the mixer attachment, gradually add the sugar, salt and flour until the dough is soft and slightly sticky.
- Add the dough hook mixer attachment, and knead the dough for approximately 3 minutes on low adding the additional 1/2 Cup of flour if needed. The dough should not stick to the sides of the bowl and be smooth and elastic.
- Cut the dough in half and then cut each half into 6 equal pieces. Roll the dough into a rope by rubbing the dough back and forth with the palm of your hands until the dough rope is 15 inches long. Place the dough rope on a baking dish. Form pretzel shape.
- Place pretzels 3 inches apart on the baking dish. Enlarge the holes on the pretzels using your fingers. Whisk together 1 egg and 1 Tablespoon of water in a small bowl. Brush onto the pretzels. (You will not use all the egg wash.) Sprinkle with salt.
- Bake 15-20 minutes or until the soft pretzels are golden brown.
Notes
How to Form a Pretzel Shape: Cross the left side of the rope over to the middle of the rope to create a loop. Fold the right side of the dough rope over the first loop to form a pretzel shape.
Storing: After enjoying these soft pretzels, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Freezing: If you want to enjoy them at a later time, these pretzels can be frozen. Once they have completely cooled, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Thawing: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen pretzels, simply let them thaw at room temperature.
Reheating: Once thawed, you can reheat them in the oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes.
Is that Tablespoon or teaspoon of yeast? Thank you.