Homemade Soft Pretzels

These homemade soft pretzels are the perfect appetizer for parties, game day, or just because! You can turn this same recipe into pretzel bites or change the flavors for a fun twist. Serve with other fun party foods like 7 layer dip, chocolate lasagna and vanilla cupcakes.

Why You Will Love These Homemade Soft Pretzels

This homemade soft pretzels recipe has been one of reader’s favorite recipes on my blog since it was first published over five years ago. They have a chewy exterior and fluffy interior. They tasty just like your favorite mall pretzels with that classic pretzel taste we all know and love.

This is also a really fun activity to do with children. I have made this recipe over the years with my children, their friends as well as my nieces and nephews. They have so much fun making fun shapes with the dough. There are always huge smiles, and they love showcasing their food creations to their parents.

These pretzels are in my top favorite recipes I’ve ever made! ~ Laura

Soft Pretzel Highlights

• They have a golden brown, chewy exterior and fluffy interior.
• They are easy to make.
• You do not have to have a stand mixer to make this recipe. A medium sized bowl and a large wooden spoon or spatula works just fine.
• It uses simple pantry ingredients such as flour, yeast, butter, sugar, salt, baking soda, and egg.
• This recipe does not require you to boil the water for the baking soda bath. (More on that below.)
• It’s a really fun activity to make with your children.
• After you make this recipe a few times, you can whip up a batch in no time.

I’ve made a few pretzel recipes now, this one by far is the best! They taste just like what I get in the mall! ~ Kim (Pinterest)

The Baking Soda Bath

Baking soda bath – After the dough is made, we will set up what is called a baking soda bath. The baking soda bath is what gives pretzels their distinct flavor, color, exterior texture and shine. As you pull the pretzels out of the baking soda bath, the aroma actually smells like a soft pretzel!

1. This recipe does not require the water to be boiling like other recipes. It will still yield the same result.
2. It gives a softer, smoother appearance. When the water is not boiled, it makes the dough have a less wrinkled look to it.
3. The dough is easier to handle when it is not immersed in boiling water.
4. This is a safer step when making this recipe with children.

To prepare a baking soda bath, use any medium-sized bowl or dish you have on hand, deep enough to immerse a soft pretzel with. You will mix 1 tablespoon baking soda per 1 cup of hot water.

For example, if you use a bowl that can hold 4 cups of water, add 4 tablespoons of baking soda. If your bowl holds 3 cups of water, add 3 tablespoons of baking soda. Mix baking soda gently with a spoon until fully dissolved.

Too little of baking soda, you won’t achieve the desired result and flavor. Too much baking soda will alter the taste of your soft pretzels and give them almost a metallic taste.

Ingredients Needed

To make homemade soft pretzels, we just need a few simple pantry ingredients to get started.

• All purpose flour – is the what most households have on hand. It is what we use with this recipe. You can use bread flour if you have it on hand. Both produce a similar outcome. Even with taste testers (my husband and kids), they couldn’t tell the difference between the two batches.
• Active dry yeast or instant yeast – helps the the pretzel rise.
• Warm water – is used to help the dough rise. It’s also used in the baking soda bath.
• Salt – This recipe uses regular salt for the dough and coarse and/or pretzel salt as an optional topping.
• Baking soda – is used for the baking soda bath. This step is important because it helps create a Maillard reaction which gives pretzels that distintive, classic pretzel flavor.
• Egg – The egg is used to make an egg wash.

Step-By-Step-Instructions

Step One – Preheat oven to 410 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Lightly spray parchment paper with cooking spray. Set to side.

Step Two – In a medium bowl, add yeast and warm water. Stir together. Add sugar, melted butter and salt. Stir together until well combined.

Step 3 – Adding the flour – In the same medium bowl, add 3 cups flour. Stir with large, heavy duty metal or wooden spoon. Sprinkle in 1/4 cup flour at a time until mixture starts pulling off the sides of bowl. Use hands to start punching down and kneading dough in bowl. If the dough is sticky, add another 1/4 cup flour. The end result should be between 3 1/2 – 4 cups flour in total. 

Place dough into a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a hand towel. Let dough rest while you prepare a baking soda bath.

Step 4 – Prepare a baking soda bath. In a medium bowl/baking dish (or any dish you have on hand to dip pretzels), mix 4 cups of hot water with 4 tablespoons of baking soda.

Note: If your bowl only holds 3 cups of hot water, add 3 tablespoons of baking soda.

Sir gently until baking soda dissolves. Set to side.

Step Five – Shaping the dough – Place dough on lightly floured work surface or counter. Knead the dough lightly. Form into three equal sized balls. Using a pizza cutter, bench cutter or knife, slice each dough circle into 4 equal pieces. (Like cutting a pizza into fours.) This will result in 12 small dough sections. Cover with damp towel. 

Take one section of dough and roll out gently into a long, slender rope, approximately 20-22 inches in length. (You can use the longest edge of a half-size baking sheet for reference. They are usually 18 inches in length.) Pick up each ends of the dough and shape into a ‘U’. Take both tips and twist once. Gently pull the tips over and down to each side of the pretzel base. (See images above as a reference.)

Place each pretzel into baking soda bath for 10-20 seconds. Remove from water with a large slotted spatula, letting excess water drip. Place pretzel onto lined parchment cookie sheet. Repeat each step for five more pretzels.

Step Six – Prepare an egg wash – Crack one large egg into a small bowl and 1 tablespoon cold water. Whisk together until well combined. Brush egg wash lightly onto each pretzel. 

Step Seven – Bake at 410 degrees for 14 -16 minutes. Make sure to check the pretzels around the 14 minute mark as some ovens cook higher than others. For a crispier crust, cook for an additional minute. Remove from heat and place onto cookie rack to cool. Brush melted butter onto each pretzel and/ or add coarse salt if desired.

Step Eight – Repeat steps above for the remaining 6 pretzels.

How to Store Homemade Soft Pretzels

Homemade soft pretzels are best served day of. Store left overs in freezer for up to two months. To reheat, place pretzel on microwave safe plate. Brush top of pretzel lightly with water. Add coarse salt. Heat in microwave for 40-50 seconds.

Soft Pretzel Variations

Cinnamon and Sugar Soft Pretzels – Brush pretzels with butter and dip into a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for a fun, sweet twist.

Soft Pretzel Bites – Use this same recipe to make soft pretzel bites. After rolling out each section of dough, cut into two inch pieces.

Cheese – Add your favorite cheese like shredded cheddar or parmesan into the dough and sprinkle some on top before cooking.

You can also try Everything Bagel Seasoning and Garlic Parmesan.

Serve with your favorite condiments such as: nacho cheese, ground mustard, sweet glaze, honey mustard, or melted chocolate!