How to Make Homemade Soft Pretzels - A Step-by-Step Guide

There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked soft pretzels wafting through the air. These warm, chewy snacks are a staple at fairs, sporting events, and amusement parks, and now you can recreate that same delicious experience right in your own kitchen. Making homemade soft pretzels is a fun and satisfying baking project that the whole family can get involved in. Whether you enjoy them as a savory snack or pair them with your favorite dip, these pretzels are sure to be a hit.

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Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C), or more as needed
  • 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, or more as needed
  • ½ cup baking soda
  • 4 cups hot water
  • ¼ cup kosher salt, for topping

Information

  • Prep Time: 40 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Additional Time: 1 hr 10 mins
  • Total Time: 2 hrs
  • Servings: 12
  • Yield: 12 pretzels

  • Pour 1 ¼ cups warm water into a medium bowl. Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in warm water; let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
  • Mix flour, ½ cup sugar, and salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the center; add yeast mixture and oil. Mix well and form into a dough. If mixture is dry, add one or two more tablespoons of water.
  • Knead dough until smooth, about 7 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place dough in the bowl, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.
  • Pour 4 cups hot water into a large bowl. Stir in baking soda until dissolved; set aside.
  • Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and twist into a pretzel shape.
  • Once all of the dough is shaped, dip each pretzel into the baking soda-hot water solution and place on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
  • Bake in preheated oven until browned, about 8 minutes.
  • Enjoy!
  • Nutrition

    237 cal.

    • Total Fat: 2g
    • Saturated Fat: 0g
    • Sodium: 4681mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 49g
    • Dietary Fiber: 2g
    • Total Sugars: 9g
    • Protein: 6g
    • Calcium: 12mg
    • Iron: 3mg
    • Potassium: 84mg