Description
This recipe for Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels guides you through creating warm, chewy pretzels with a golden-brown crust, perfect for snacking or serving with your favorite dips. Made from scratch with simple ingredients and an overnight rise, these pretzels are boiled in baking soda water for that traditional chewy texture before baking to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115ºF) water
- 1 Tablespoon white sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 (1/4-oz.) package active dry yeast
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For Boiling
- 10 cups water
- 2/3 cup baking soda
Topping
- 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 Tablespoon water
- Pretzel salt or kosher salt, for sprinkling (optional)
Other
- Vegetable oil, for greasing bowl and trays
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine warm water, sugar, and salt. Sprinkle active dry yeast on top and let it sit undisturbed for 7 to 10 minutes until the yeast becomes puffy and foamy, indicating it is activated.
- Make the dough: Add flour and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until combined, then increase to medium speed and knead for 4 to 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the bowl sides.
- Let the dough rise: Grease a large bowl with vegetable oil. Transfer the dough into it, cover with plastic wrap, and place in a warm, dark area to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven and prepare trays: Heat the oven to 450ºF. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly grease them with vegetable oil.
- Prepare baking soda bath: In a large heavy-bottom stockpot or Dutch oven, bring 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- Shape pretzels: Turn the risen dough onto a work surface and divide into 10 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 24-inch rope and form into traditional pretzel shapes. Place pretzels on the prepared baking sheets.
- Boil pretzels: Boil each pretzel one at a time by submerging into the baking soda water for 30 seconds, then remove with a slotted spoon and return to the baking sheets.
- Apply egg wash and salt: Brush each pretzel with the egg yolk and water mixture, then sprinkle with pretzel salt or kosher salt as desired.
- Bake: Bake pretzels in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes until dark golden brown. Remove from oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use warm water between 110ºF to 115ºF to properly activate yeast.
- Boiling pretzels in baking soda water is essential for the chewy crust and flavor.
- The egg wash gives pretzels a shiny, golden appearance.
- For softer pretzels, brush with melted butter after baking while still warm.
- Store leftover pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: soft pretzels, homemade pretzels, easy pretzel recipe, baking soda pretzels, snack recipe
