Print

Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 103 reviews

Learn how to make Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels with a simple recipe that combines a yeast dough, a quick baking soda boil, and oven baking to achieve that classic soft, chewy texture and golden crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/43°C)
  • 1 tsp salt

Boiling Solution

  • 10 cups water
  • 2/3 cup baking soda

Topping

  • Coarse salt, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water and let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy. Add the flour and salt, and mix to form a dough. Knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  2. Let dough rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm area for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  3. Shape pretzels: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope about 20-24 inches long, then shape into a classic pretzel shape by forming a U, crossing the ends over twice, and pressing them onto the bottom of the U.
  4. Prepare baking soda bath: In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a boil.
  5. Boil pretzels: Using a slotted spatula, carefully lower each pretzel into the boiling baking soda water for about 30 seconds. Remove and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  6. Apply salt and bake: Sprinkle coarse salt over the boiled pretzels. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the pretzels are golden brown and cooked through.
  7. Cool and serve: Remove pretzels from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving warm.

Notes

  • Ensure the water for yeast activation is not too hot to avoid killing the yeast.
  • Use coarse salt for an authentic pretzel finish; table salt will dissolve quickly.
  • For softer pretzels, brush melted butter on them immediately after baking.
  • You can add flavor variations such as cinnamon sugar coating or cheese topping.
  • Boiling in the baking soda bath is key to achieving that signature pretzel crust and flavor.

Keywords: soft pretzels, homemade pretzels, easy soft pretzels, baking, snack recipe

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