Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels: From Dough to Delight
These easy, homemade soft pretzels have a beautiful golden-brown crust and a warm, soft, chewy inside. They are the ultimate crave-able comfort snack.
They always top the request board when it comes to cozy football game days in our house. Let’s be real: Having the right snacks, like my turkey wontons or my meatball sliders, is crucial for a watch party, so why not elevate your snack game?
Bring a bowl of these golden-brown beauties in bite-size pieces to your next gathering, and I promise they’ll be devoured in minutes. They are easy to make but require some steps, which means some time in the kitchen. However, the praises you will receive are comforting reminders of the joys of cooking and the pleasure of sharing a damn good snack!
Easy Homemade Soft Pretzel Dough Ingredients
- All-purpose flour—I have tested the recipe with all-purpose flour and bread flour. I prefer all-purpose, it provides the perfect fluff and chew. Bread flour has a higher protein content, which helps develop gluten, giving the pretzels a much chewier texture.
- Active Dry Yeast—Instant yeast works, too. Just be sure to look at expiration dates; you don’t want to use expired yeast.
- Water—Warm water is important when mixing with the yeast to encourage activity, but not hot water; it can kill the yeast.
- Olive Oil – Adds a subtle richness to the dough and gives the pretzels a slightly softer texture.
- Kosher Salt – Enhances overall flavor and provides a distinctive salty bite.
Steps to Making Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels
The Dough:
First, we need to make the dough for these easy homemade soft pretzels. Mix yeast and warm water in a large bowl and let it stand for 5 minutes. This activates the yeast, giving it time to get bubbly and frothy. Next, mix in salt and oil; gradually add flour one cup at a time and mix with a wooden spoon until it is formed into a ball.
Lightly flour your clean work surface. Turn the dough onto the floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes. Knead until the dough is not tacky. If the dough still feels a bit sticky, add flour one teaspoon at a time. But don’t add too much more than what is called for. We don’t want a dry dough. There is really no need to take out your fancy mixer, but if you need an excuse to use it, by all means!
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a towel, and let it sit for about 30 minutes to an hour.
While the dough is rising, let’s prepare the soda bath for the easy homemade soft pretzels. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Measure out 2/3 cup of baking soda. We are going to add the baking soda to the boiling water right before the pretzels go into the water.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Shape The Pretzels
Now, let’s shape your pretzels. On a lightly floured surface, cut your dough ball into quarters with a scraper or large knife.
With your hands, roll out each piece into a long rope. Okay, here is where I am really basic. No fancy twists—let’s make it look like a pretzel! Make a U-shape and fold over one side, repeat. Just press the dough where it crosses lightly so they stick together when in the bath.
The Bath
Add measured baking soda to the boiling water, and then carefully add the pretzels with a spider strainer. When pretzels rise to the top of the water, remove them from the bath and place them on a non-stick baking pan.
Egg Wash & Salt
Brush the pretzels with egg wash. This gives them the shiny, golden finish. Sprinkle with kosher salt or pretzel salt. You can sprinkle with as much salt as you like, but remember you’re aiming for balance not a salt stick.
Bake and Enjoy
Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, until golden brown. Ooooh-baby, you have some easy, homemade soft pretzels and a kitchen that smells like a little peace of pretzel heaven.
So Many Fun Variations for Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels
This easy homemade soft pretzel recipe offers so many fun and creative variations. Be creative! I would love to hear about your pretzel creation.
- Cheesy – Shredded parmesan, cheddar, or any of your favorite cheeses instead of the salt.
- Cinnamon Sugar – Brush with melted butter instead of the egg wash. Mix ground cinnamon and granulated sugar, and sprinkle on top after the bake.
- Herby – Brush with butter instead of egg wash, and once baked, sprinkle with your favorite chopped herbs.
- Everything – Sprinkle everything seasoning on the pretzels instead of the salt.
- Pretzel Bites – Instead of twisting the dough, cut into bite-size pieces and boil.
Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels: From Dough to Delight
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Large Pot
- Non-stick baking pan
Ingredients
Pretzel Dough
- 1 package active yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
Baking Soda Bath
- 1 large pot water
- ⅔ cups baking soda
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 tbsp water or milk
- pretzel salt or kosher salt sprinkled over pretzels
Instructions
- Mix the yeast and warm water with a wooden spoon in a large mixing bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to activate.
- Add salt and olive oil. Slowly add the flour cup by cup and mix with a wooden spoon until it becomes a doughy ball.
- Lightly flour a clean work surface, add the dough to the surface, and knead for about 5 minutes until the dough is not tacky. If the dough still feels sticky, add about a teaspoon of flour until it is not sticking to your hands. You don't want dry dough, so don't add too much more than what is called for.
- Add about a teaspoon of olive oil to the bottom of the mixing bowl to cover the bowl. Add the dough and turn it to ensure it is lightly oiled on all sides. Cover with a plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rise for 30-60 minutes. The dough does not have to double in size.
- Fill a large pot with water and measure out ⅔ cup of baking soda. Bring water to a boil.
- Preheat oven to 425°.
- Lightly flour a clean surface and cut the dough into fours with a scrapper or sharp knife. Roll the dough into a long rope, about 20 inches in length. Make a U-shape and fold over one side; repeat on the other side to make a pretzel shape. Lightly press on the pretzel where the dough crosses. Makes 4 large pretzels.
- Carefully add the measured baking soda to the boiling water. Now, carefully add the pretzels. Boil until they rise to the top. Remove the pretzels from the water with a large slotted spoon and place them on a non-stick baking pan. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with salt and place them in the oven.
- Bake for about 25 minutes at 425° or until the crust is golden. Dunk it in your favorite queso or mustard, and pat yourself on the back.
