Soft Pretzels
Homemade soft pretzels with a warm, chewy texture and a deliciously salty crust - perfect for sharing with friends and family!
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2¼ teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1.5 cups warm water (110°F/43°C) Ensure it's warm to activate yeast properly.
Boiling and Topping Ingredients
- ¾ cup baking soda For boiling
- to taste coarse salt For topping
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit until it becomes foamy, about 5 minutes.
- Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a dough starts to form.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until it feels smooth and elastic.
- Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.
Shaping and Boiling
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Once risen, divide the dough into several equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 24 inches in length, and twist into the classic pretzel shape.
- Boil water with baking soda in a large pot. Carefully drop each shaped pretzel into the boiling water for about 30 seconds before taking them out.
- Arrange the boiled pretzels on parchment-lined baking sheets, sprinkle with coarse salt, and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
Notes
You can serve pretzels plain or with dipping sauces like mustard, cheese dip, or chili sauce. To keep leftovers fresh, store in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of days.