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Soft Pretzels Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 66 reviews

Classic soft pretzels with a golden crust and tender inside, dipped in a baking soda bath for that perfect chewy texture. These homemade pretzels are easy to make and deliciously brushed with melted butter and sprinkled with coarse salt for a perfect snack or appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups water (100-110℉)
  • 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Baking Soda Bath

  • 1 1/2 cups water (110℉)
  • 1/4 cup baking soda

Finishing

  • 1/4 cup salted butter (melted, for brushing)
  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt (or flake salt)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly coating it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Dissolve Yeast and Sugar: Warm 1 1/4 cups of water to between 100-110℉. In a large mixing bowl, add this water, 1 tablespoon instant dry yeast, and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Stir until the yeast and sugar are completely dissolved.
  3. Mix in Flour: Gradually add 3 cups of all-purpose flour into the yeast mixture, stirring with a large spoon until combined. If the dough feels sticky, incorporate up to an additional 1/2 cup flour until you form a soft, smooth dough. Additional kneading is not required.
  4. Let Dough Rise: Cover the dough and set it in a warm place to rise until nearly doubled in size, about 20 minutes.
  5. Shape Pretzels: Divide the risen dough into 12 equal portions, roughly the size of a golf ball each. On a clean surface, roll each portion into a 12-inch long rope. Form each rope into a “U” shape, cross the ends over twice to create a twist, then fold the twisted ends down to the bottom of the “U” and gently press to seal, forming the traditional pretzel shape.
  6. Prepare Baking Soda Bath: Heat 1 1/2 cups water to about 110℉ in a liquid measuring cup and dissolve 1/4 cup baking soda into it, stirring until fully dissolved.
  7. Dip Pretzels: One by one, dip each shaped pretzel into the baking soda solution briefly, then place them on the prepared baking sheet.
  8. Bake Pretzels: Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 6 to 8 minutes or until they turn a beautiful golden brown color.
  9. Butter and Salt: Remove the pretzels from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack. While still warm, brush the tops generously with melted salted butter and sprinkle with coarse or flake salt to taste.

Notes

  • Ensure water temperature is accurate when activating yeast to avoid killing the yeast.
  • If the dough is sticky, add flour gradually to prevent making the dough too dense.
  • The baking soda bath is essential for creating the classic pretzel crust and chewy texture.
  • Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
  • For added flavor, try brushing the pretzels with garlic butter or sprinkling with cinnamon sugar instead of salt.

Keywords: soft pretzels, homemade pretzels, baked pretzels, snack recipe, baking soda bath pretzel

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