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Homemade Soft Pretzels – An Easy Ball Park Snack Recipe

If you are thinking about making homemade soft pretzels, but are hesitant to try because it seems too difficult, this recipe is for you!

I have been making my own pretzels for years and have tried a variety of recipes. However, ever since I combined the best of several recipes into one, I haven’t made them any other way.

This recipe is actually very easy and only requires a few ingredients and no specialized equipment.

So instead of reaching into your freezer for those store-bought pretzels that you heat in the microwave, next time, make your own!

It is the perfect snack when watching your favorite baseball or softball game, or when you are looking for a recipe that the kids can help prepare.

homemade soft pretzels

Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe

Ingredients:

  • Water
  • Active yeast
  • Granulated white sugar
  • Salt
  • Butter
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Sea salt or Sesame seeds

Instructions:

The first step in making homemade soft pretzels is to mix the warm water and the yeast. Because we are not making a bread that needs to rise significantly, there is no need to measure the temperature of the water.

Instead, make sure the water is warm, but not scorching hot. Pour the warm water in a one cup measuring cup and then stir in the yeast and let it sit for a minute or two.

Next, add sugar, salt, and melted butter right into the same measuring cup with the water and yeast. Be sure to allow your melted butter to cool a little before adding it to the water.

water and flour mixture

Then whisk the mixture until combined.

Now pour the liquid into a medium size mixing bowl and add 1 cup of flour. Mix until absorbed and then add the remaining cup of flour.

Continue to mix until the dough begins to pull away from the mixing bowl and is no longer sticky. Slowly add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

Knead The Dough For 2-3 Minutes

Remove the dough from the bowl and place it on a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 2-3 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and it begins to look like a ball.

Brush a mixing bowl with extra virgin olive oil and place the dough ball in the bowl for 10 minutes. Spray a piece of plastic wrap with non-stick spray and place directly on top of the dough ball.

cross the ends of the dough

While the dough rests, prepare a baking soda bath by adding 10 cups of water and 1/2 cup baking soda to a large stockpot. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.

The baking soda bath will allow the homemade soft pretzels to become that familiar brown color. But it also produces that crispy exterior that we all have come to love.

Line The Baking Sheets

Now preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Line two baking sheets, or one large baking sheet, with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.

I was always hesitant to purchase silicone baking mats. However, now that I have, I absolutely love them! Not only are they easy to clean, but there is less waste and cost when using parchment paper.

soft pretzel shape

Form The Pretzel Shape

When the dough is ready cut it into 6 even sections. Working one at a time, roll each dough section into a long rope about 20 inches long.

Bring the ends of the rope upwards, making a U shape. Cross one end of the rope over top of the other end, with the intersecting point, 1/2 inch from the ends of the rope.

Leaving the bottom circle intact, flip the two ends and the intersecting point over. Then slowly lift the ends and intersecting points and bring towards the bottom of the circle to make a pretzel shape.

The ends of the rope will be separated and on the lower half of the circle. Lightly press the ends to secure/.

baking soda bath

When the baking soda water bath is boiling, lower two of the homemade soft pretzels in the water for 20-30 seconds.

Then use a slotted spatula to carefully remove the pretzels from the hot water bath and place onto the prepared baking sheet.

Sprinkle the tops with sea salt or sesame seeds. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with more salt as desired.

Enjoy! Mary

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store the Homemade Soft Pretzels?

Soft pretzels are best eaten hot and fresh. However, you can store them in an air-tight container on the counter for up to 3 days, although they will lose some softness. You can also freeze soft pretzels in an air-tight container for up to 3 months.

How do I reheat soft pretzels?

You can reheat the soft pretzels in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. If you are wanting to retain that crispy exterior it is best to reheat them in the oven at 350°F (178°C) for 5-10 minutes.

Do I have to use salt?

If you prefer, you can skip the salt all together. And if you want a sweeter version, sprinkle a mixture of sugar and cinnamon on the pretzels and dip it in a thin icing. YUM!

Can I double this recipe?

If you are wanting to make a bigger batch of pretzels, this recipe can easily be doubled. The doubled recipe will make 12 homemade soft pretzels.

Can I make Soft Pretzel Bites instead?

Absolutely! Simply roll the dough into a rope and cut into 1 inch sections. Continue to use the baking soda bath and decrease the bake time by 3-5 minutes. And if you are looking for a super easy recipe try this 3 ingredient Soft Pretzel Bites recipe.

pretzel with mustard
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Yield: 6

Homemade Soft Pretzels

homemade soft pretzel
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup warm water
  • 1 1/8 teaspoon rapid active yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon granulated white sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon melted butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading the dough
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 10 cups water
  • Sea salt or Sesame seeds for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. In a 1 cup measuring cup, add 3/4 cup warm (not hot) water. Then add the yeast and whisk. Let the mixture sit for 2 minutes.
  2. To the measuring cup with the yeast, add sugar, salt, and melted butter. Whisk until fairly combined.
  3. Pour the mixture into a medium size mixing bowl and add 1 cup of flour. Mix and add the remaining cup. Continue to mix until the dough begins to pull away from the mixing bowl and is no longer sticky. Slowly add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
    Remove the dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 2-3 minutes, or until smooth and it begins to look like a ball. Brush a mixing bowl with extra virgin olive oil and place the dough ball in the bowl for 10 minutes.
  4. While the dough rests, prepare a baking soda bath by adding 10 cups of water and 1/2 cup baking soda to a large stockpot. Bring to a rolling boil.
    Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
  5. When the dough is ready cut it into 6 even sections. Working one at a time, roll each dough section into a long rope about 20 inches long.
  6. Bring the ends of the rope together, making a circle. Cross one end of the rope over top of the other end, with the intersecting point, 1/2 inch from the ends of the rope. Leaving the circle intact, flip the two ends over. Slowly lift the ends and intersecting points and make a pretzel shape. The ends of the rope will be separated and on the lower half of the circle.
  7. When the baking soda water bath is boiling, lower two of the pretzels in the water for 20-30 seconds. Using a slotted spatula, carefully remove the pretzels from the hot water bath and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the tops with sea salt. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until golden brown.
    Remove from the oven and sprinkle with more salt as desired.

Notes

Can be stored in an air-tight container for 3 days. Can also be frozen and reheated later at 350°F until warmed through.

Serve with cheese sauce or honey mustard sauce.

Recipe provided by Make Your Meals

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 363Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 5490mgCarbohydrates: 54gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 7g

Nutritional Information is to be used as a general guideline only . Nutritional calculations will vary from the types and brands of the products used.