Perfect for dipping and sharing, this fluffy soft pretzel recipe is SO easy to make at home and delicious, too! Try these buttery soft pretzels with your favorite cheese dip, and you will want to make them again and again. The best part is, making soft pretzels really is so simple!
Buttery soft pretzels are one of those special treats you usually only get at the mall or maybe the fair, but did you know making soft pretzels at home is actually easy? It’s true!
This is the best soft pretzel recipe because it has all the salty goodness but with a little bit of sugar in the dough to give it just the right flavor. It’s also a fun recipe for kids to help with. They love seeing how the dough rises and rolling it into ropes. It’s a chance for them to make their own special pretzel and there’s certainly no two alike! Try it with my beer cheese dip!
Soft Pretzel Ingredients
Buttery soft pretzels use just a short list of easy ingredients to make, and the results are delicious! For this easy soft pretzel recipe, you’ll need the following simple ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 4.5 teaspoons active dry yeast (same as two 1/4 oz packages)
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 stick butter, melted
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 9 cups hot water
- 1 egg yolk and 1 tbsp water, beaten together
- kosher salt
How do you make soft pretzels?
Making soft pretzels is so much easier than you might think! Here are instructions for making homemade soft pretzels:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Prepare warm water and add yeast packets. Whisk and then let sit while you gather next ingredients.
- Whisk in salt, sugar, and butter. Slowly add 3 cups of flour and mix with a wooden spoon until thickened. Add 1/2 cup more flour (or a little more if needed) until the dough is no longer sticky. You want to be able to press the dough and have it come back up.
- Flour a surface, add the dough, and knead for 3 minutes. Coat another bowl with vegetable oil. Add dough, cover lightly, and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Start boiling 9 cups of water with the baking soda in a large pot.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Cut dough into 8 equal sections.
- Roll the dough into at least a 16-inch rope but longer if you can. Bring up the ends and then curve down into the middle to create a pretzel shape. Twist a couple of times and lightly press the ends down to stick to the other dough to hold it all in place.
- Add pretzels one by one to boiling water for 25 seconds. Carefully lift pretzels out with a metal spoon, shake the water off gently and place on the parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Brush each pretzel with egg wash and top generously with kosher salt.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove and serve warm.
*What is egg wash? Egg wash is a simple mixture of water and egg. In this case, I use 1 Tbsp. of water and an egg yolk to make egg wash.
How to Reheat Soft Pretzels
The best method for reheating soft pretzels is in the oven. Preheat to 350 degrees, place pretzels on a baking sheet, and heat for 5 minutes.
Another good method for an individual pretzel is to wrap it in foil and then heat it in the oven for about 3 minutes. You can also microwave them for about 10 seconds, depending on your microwave.
How to Make Cheese Dip for Soft Pretzels
One of the most delectable dips for soft pretzels is beer cheese dip, and I have a wonderful Oktoberfest-inspired soft pretzel dip for you! It’s made from ripe Camembert, spreadable cheese, butter, spices like paprika and caraway seeds, and onion. This strong and flavorful dip is the perfect compliment to our billowy and slightly sweet homemade soft pretzel recipe.
German soft pretzels are often served on a tray with sliced meats and a bowl of beer cheese spread, which sounds like a crowd-pleasing appetizer for any game day or tailgating event here in the US.
How long do soft pretzels last?
Like most breads, pretzels are best eaten right after they’re baked. However, you can store them for a couple of days in something porous like a paper bag. Heat them according to instructions found above.
Can you freeze soft pretzels?
Soft pretzels can be frozen and it’s best to do it right after you bake them and they are cooled. Just put them in an airtight container and you will have pretzels to enjoy at your convenience! Just thaw and follow the methods above for reheating.
Soft pretzels are a tasty treat that are simple to make at home. Your family is going to love these and will ask for them over and over!
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More Recipes to Try
Soft Pretzels
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups warm water
- 4.5 teaspoons active dry yeast, same as two 1/4 oz packages
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 stick butter, melted
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 9 cups hot water
- 1 egg yolk and 1 tbsp water, beaten together
- kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Prepare warm water and add yeast packets. Whisk and then let sit while you gather next ingredients.
- Whisk in salt, sugar, and butter. Slowly add 3 cups of flour and mix with a wooden spoon until thickened. Add 1/2 cup more flour (or a little more if needeuntil the dough is no longer sticky. You want to be able to press the dough and have it come back up.
- Flour a surface, add the dough, and knead for 3 minutes. Coat another bowl with vegetable oil. Add dough, cover lightly, and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Start boiling 9 cups of water with the baking soda in a large pot.
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Cut dough into 8 equal sections.
- Roll the dough into at least a 16-inch rope but longer if you can. Bring up the ends and then curve down into the middle to create a pretzel shape. Twist a couple of times and lightly press the ends down to stick to the other dough to hold it all in place.
- Add pretzels one by one to boiling water for 25 seconds. Carefully lift pretzels out with a metal spoon, shake the water off gently and place on the parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Brush each pretzel with egg wash and top generously with kosher salt.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove and serve warm.
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