Description
These buttery soft pretzels are golden on the outside, warm and fluffy on the inside. With a perfectly salty topping and a delicious homemade dough, these pretzels are an irresistible snack or appetizer. Easy to make and even easier to devour!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F or 45°C)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Baking Soda Bath
- 8 cups water
- ½ cup baking soda
For the Topping
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)
- Coarse salt or pretzel salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until the mixture becomes frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and melted butter, and stir to combine.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large pot, bring the 8 cups of water to a boil and add the baking soda to create a baking soda bath.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a long rope (about 24 inches long) and shape it into a pretzel by forming a “U” shape, twisting the ends, and folding them over the loop.
- Carefully drop each pretzel into the boiling baking soda bath for about 30 seconds, then use a slotted spoon to remove and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush each pretzel with the melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt or pretzel salt.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the pretzels are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and brush with additional melted butter before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can experiment with toppings like garlic butter or cinnamon sugar.
- Make sure to carefully watch the boiling process during the baking soda bath, as over-soaking may cause the pretzels to become too tough.
- If you have any leftover pretzels, store them in an airtight container and reheat them in the oven to restore their softness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Boiled, Baked
- Cuisine: American, German