Description
This Homemade Soft Pretzels recipe delivers warm, golden, and chewy snacks perfect for any occasion. Made with a simple yeast dough, boiled briefly in a baking soda bath, then baked to perfection and brushed with melted butter for that classic flavor and sheen. Ideal for sharing, these soft pretzels bring bakery-quality results right into your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus up to ¾ cup more if needed)
Baking Soda Bath
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
Topping
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Activate Yeast: In a stand mixer bowl, combine the active dry yeast, warm water, and sugar. Let the mixture sit undisturbed until it becomes frothy and bubbly, about 5 minutes, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Dough: Stir in the salt and melted unsalted butter into the yeast mixture. Gradually add the all-purpose flour while mixing, kneading the dough with the mixer’s dough hook until smooth and no longer sticky, approximately 5 minutes. Add additional flour if necessary.
- Let Dough Rest: Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp towel, and let it rise for 15 minutes. This rest allows the dough to relax and develop flavor.
- Prepare Baking Soda Bath: Bring 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda to a boil in a large pot. Once boiling, remove from heat and let cool slightly to prevent soggy dough.
- Shape Pretzels and Soak: Divide the rested dough into 8 equal sections. Roll and shape each into a classic pretzel shape. Immerse each pretzel in the warmed baking soda bath for 2 minutes to create that distinctive chewy crust.
- Arrange and Salt Pretzels: Place the pretzels on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle them with coarse salt evenly to add flavor and texture.
- Bake: Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 8 to 9 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and develop a beautiful crust.
- Brush with Butter and Serve: Immediately after removing from the oven, brush each pretzel generously with the melted salted butter to enhance their shiny appearance and add richness. Serve warm for the best taste.
Notes
- Ensure the water used to activate yeast is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- Do not skip the baking soda bath as it is essential for the classic pretzel crust and flavor.
- For softer pretzels, brush with melted butter again after baking and while still warm.
- Coarse salt is key to giving pretzels their signature salty bite; you can substitute with other toppings like sesame seeds or cinnamon sugar for variations.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
