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5.0 from 3 votes

Homemade Soft Pretzels

Irresistible Homemade Soft Pretzels are warm, buttery salty and so quick and easy to make. This soft pretzel recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and makes the best pretzels!

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Additional Time
38 mins
Total Time
1 hr 13 mins
Servings: 8 pretzels
Calories: 193 kcal
Course: Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine: German

Ingredients

  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda
  • Coarse kosher salt or pretzel salt
  • 3 tablespoons butter melted

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine the warm water, sugar and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam.
  2. Add the flour and salt and using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
  3. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let it sit for 30 minutes.
  4. While the dough rests, combine the boiling water and baking soda in a container (I use a 10-inch square Pyrex glass container). Stir until the baking soda is dissolved. Set aside so the water starts cooling a bit.
  5. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  6. In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a long rope - about 28 to 30 inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. 
  7. Working with a couple of pretzels at a time, place the pretzels into the baking soda bath spooning the water over their tops; leave them in the water for about 1 minute before transferring them to the prepared baking sheet.
  8. Sprinkle the pretzels lightly with coarse kosher salt or pretzel salt. Allow the pretzels to rest for 8 minutes, then place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the pretzels from the oven and immediately brush with the melted butter.

Notes

  • The baking soda hot water bath gives the pretzels their chewy texture, golden brown color and unique taste however, you can skip this step if you prefer (although I highly recommend that you don't skip it). If you choose not to do the baking soda bath, brush the pretzels with a simple egg wash (1 egg + 2 tablespoons milk or dairy free milk)before baking them.
  • This soft pretzel recipe can be made with active dry yeast or instant yeast.
  • Adapted from King Arthur

Nutrition Information

Calories 193kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 32g (11%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 11mg (4%) Sodium 1009mg (42%) Potassium 74mg (2%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 131IU (3%) Calcium 7mg (1%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8pretzels

Amount Per Serving

Calories 193

% Daily Value*

Calories 193kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 32g 11%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 11mg 4%
Sodium 1009mg 42%
Potassium 74mg 2%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 131IU 3%
Calcium 7mg 1%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.