Homemade Pretzels

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This Homemade Pretzels recipe brings the beloved taste of soft pretzels home to you! These butter soft pretzels are chewy, salty, and so delicious!

homemade soft pretzels recipe

Easy Homemade Pretzels Recipe

Soft pretzels are one of those treats that bring back amazing memories. But, many people think that making them at home is a difficult task. I’m here to tell you that it’s easier than you think! All it takes is a few simple ingredients and steps to have warm, salty pretzels for the whole family. Even the kids can get in on the fun and help you shape the pretzels!

There are a few key steps to follow in order to achieve that signature soft pretzel texture, taste, and look. With that being said, I’ve tested and found the perfect recipe for homemade pretzels that you can make again and again!

Ingredients for Pretzels

If you’ve got basic baking ingredients in your pantry, you likely have everything you need to make your own pretzels at home! Here is what you will need:

  • Active dry yeast — Yeast is essential for soft homemade pretzels! This recipe calls for 1 package, but if you have the jarred kind, add in 2 ¼ tsp.
  • Sugar — The sugar helps feed the yeast so that your pretzel dough turns out beautifully!
  • Flour — You can’t have a bread dough without flour! I recommend using all purpose flour for this recipe.
  • Butter — Melted butter goes into the dough and on top of the finished pretzels for a delicious, buttery taste.
  • Baking soda — We added baking soda to the boiling water for our pretzels to get that signature taste and texture. It allows the outside to get nice and brown while the inside stays soft and chewy. Don’t skip it!
  • Salt — Sprinkle some salt on top of your freshly baked homemade pretzels for that perfect bite!

Directions:

Follow these simple directions to make your own warm, delicious pretzels right at home!

  1. Mix together your warm water, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. You can use a stand mixer or a regular large bowl. Then, let it sit for a few minutes until it gets all foamy. This means the yeast is working!
  2. Next, stir in your salt and butter. Add in your flour 1 cup at a time until a dough forms and is no longer sticky. Knead the dough with a bread hook attachment in your stand mixer or by hand for 3-5 minutes, then let it rest for 15 minutes.
  3. Once your dough has had a chance to rest, separate it into 12 sections. Roll each section of dough into ropes about 15-20 inches long and 1 inch thick. Then, form each rope into a circle and twist the top ends together. Bring the twisted ends down the center of the circle and pinch together with the bottom to form the pretzels!
  4. In a large pot, bring about 8 cups water + 1/3 cup baking soda to a boil. Once water is boiling, place a piece of dough into the water for about 20 seconds. After 20 seconds have passed, remove them immediately with a slotted spoon and place onto a lined baking sheet. Sprinkle some salt on top. Repeat these steps until all pretzels have been boiled.
  5. Finally, bake your pretzels for 12-15 minutes at 400°F or until they get nice and golden brown. You can turn the oven to broil for the last minute to brown the tops if you’d like! Once they’re done, remove the pretzels to a cooling rack and brush the tops with additional melted butter.

Tips for making pretzels at home

  • When preparing the warm water to add to the yeast mixture, make sure it’s not too hot or too cold! The temperature should be between 110°F-115°F. This will allow the yeast to develop beautifully. If you don’t have a kitchen thermometer, you can test the water temperature with your wrist. It should feel very warm to the touch!
  • For a variation on this recipe, you can top the pretzels with cinnamon sugar or shredded cheese instead of coarse salt!
  • It may take you a few tries to get shape of your pretzels just right, but you’ll get the hang of it. Even if they’re not perfect, they will taste delicious!
soft pretzels on a white platter

What can you serve with soft pretzels?

These soft and chewy homemade pretzels go great with a side of mustard or other favorite sauces for dipping. If you’re going for that classic ballgame pretzel taste, pair them with a side of nacho cheese!

Do I have to boil the pretzels before baking?

Boiling soft pretzels in water with baking soda is the key to giving them that signature texture and flavor that we all know and love. You definitely can’t miss this step!

How do you store homemade pretzels? 

These pretzels will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container at room temperature. If you’d like, you can make the dough one day ahead of time and keep it in the fridge, which is great for party prep!

How to Make Homemade Pretzels

Homemade Pretzels

Author Katie
This Homemade Pretzels recipe brings the beloved taste of soft pretzels home to you! These buttery soft pretzels are chewy, salty, and out of this world delicious!

Ingredients

  • 1 pkg active dry yeast 2 ¼ tsp
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 TBSP butter melted
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 – 4 cups of flour
  • 2 cups water
  • cup baking soda
  • 1 TBSP coarse salt
  • Additional melted butter

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with a baking mat or parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a large bowl (or kitchen aid mixer bowl), add warm water, sugar and yeast. Allow to sit for 3-5 minutes or until it foams up. Stir in salt and butter.
  • Add flour 1 cup at a time until a dough forms and is no longer sticky. Knead the bread dough with bread hook, in your mixer, or by hand for about 3-5 minutes. Allow to rest for 15 minutes.
  • Separate dough into 12 sections. Roll dough into ropes about 15-20 inches long and 1 inch thick. Then form rope into a circle and twist the top ends together. Then bring the twisted ends down the center of the circle and pinch together with the bottom to form the pretzels.
  • In a large pot, bring about 8 cups water + 1/3 cup baking soda to a boil. Once water is boiling, place a piece of dough into the water for about 20 seconds. Remove immediately with slotted spoon and place onto baking sheet. Sprinkle salt on top. Repeat until all pretzels have been boiled.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. You can turn the oven to broil for the last minute to brown the tops if desired. Remove pretzels to a cooling rack and brush tops with additional melted butter.
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soft pretzels with salt

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