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Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe

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  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 pretzels 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Learn how to make soft, golden, and delicious homemade pretzels with this easy recipe. Using simple ingredients like yeast, brown sugar, olive oil, and baking soda for boiling, these pretzels come out perfectly chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside, topped with coarse salt and everything but the bagel seasoning. Ideal for a snack or party treat, these pretzels are baked to golden perfection and best enjoyed fresh with your favorite dip.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 2 and 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 and 1/2 cups warm water
  • 4 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tsp salt

Boiling Solution

  • 6 cups water
  • 2 tbsp baking soda

Topping

  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • Coarse salt (for topping)
  • Everything but the bagel seasoning (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: Combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk together and let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Make Dough: Add the flour, olive oil, and salt to the yeast mixture. Attach the kneading hook and knead on low speed for about 5 minutes until the dough forms a smooth ball that springs back when poked. Alternatively, knead by hand until dough consistency is achieved.
  3. Let Dough Rise: Remove the dough and lightly coat it with olive oil. Place it back in the bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
  4. Divide Dough: Punch down the risen dough to release air and divide it into 12 equal pieces using a bench scraper or sharp knife on a floured surface.
  5. Shape Pretzels: Roll each piece into an 18-24 inch rope and shape them into classic pretzel forms. Watching a shaping tutorial video is helpful for perfect pretzel shapes.
  6. Preheat Oven: Set the oven temperature to 450°F (232°C) and prepare for baking.
  7. Boil Pretzels: Bring a pot of water and baking soda to a boil. Dip each pretzel into the boiling solution for 15-30 seconds to create the chewy crust before transferring to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  8. Apply Egg Wash and Toppings: Immediately brush each pretzel with beaten egg and sprinkle coarse salt and everything but the bagel seasoning evenly over the surface.
  9. Bake: Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 10-11 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
  10. Cool Pretzels: Transfer the baked pretzels to a wire rack and let them cool slightly to finish setting the crust.
  11. Serve: Serve warm with your favorite dip, such as cheese sauce, for a delicious snack experience.

Notes

  • Make sure water is warm, not hot, to activate the yeast without killing it (around 100-110°F or 37-43°C).
  • If you don’t have a stand mixer, knead the dough by hand for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  • Boiling the pretzels in the baking soda water creates their signature chewy crust and should not be skipped.
  • Use parchment paper on the baking sheet to prevent sticking and cleanup ease.
  • Shape pretzels tightly to hold form during boiling and baking.
  • The egg wash gives a nice golden color and helps toppings adhere.
  • For softer pretzels, remove from oven a little sooner; for crispier, bake an extra minute.
  • Everything but the bagel seasoning is optional but adds great flavor complexity.

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