Easy Soft Pretzel Recipe

You can have chewy, soft pretzels at home, anytime the craving calls. No need to head to the shopping mall for your favorite salty treat. This homemade pretzel recipe is a keeper.

soft pretzels: so easy, the kids can join in

Some things in life can actually be easier than they look. Take these soft pretzels. Who would have thought I could gift my friends with soft and chewy homemade pretzels, straight out of my own oven?  I mean, these twisty treats are usually reserved for shopping mall meanderings. 

Before any assumptions can be made, know this: I’m the mom that chooses sprinkles over frosting because tossing sprinkles onto 3-ingredient shortbread cookies is way easier than frosting anything.

The point is, these homemade pretzels are 100% doable and fun to make, even if you’ve never baked bread in your life. Bonus: if you’ve got a budding little baker in the house, this is a super fun recipe to do together.

Tips for Pretzel Making Success

• Use a digital kitchen thermometer for accurate water temperature, as it needs to be warm enough (but not hot) in order for yeast to thrive.
• Be sure your package of active yeast is fresh.
• Knead dough for the full 5 minutes on floured surface; if it’s too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time. If too dry, add a tablespoon of water at a time. Texture of dough should be like pliable play-dough.
• Younger kids can get in on the kneading fun
• Older kids can help shape the pretzels.
• Everyone can join in the fun of topping pretzels with various options

Toppings and Dips for Soft Pretzels

• Flaky sea salt is classic
• Sprinkle warm pretzels with finely grated/powder parmesan cheese
• This Queso Cheese Sauce stays rich, smooth, and melty without clumping up
• Cinnamon sugar is fantastic for a sweet alternative
• Try this Magic Honey Mustard Sauce for dipping
• Homemade ranch dressing or Creamy Caesar dressing are both delicious as dipping sauce

Common Question and Answers:

Q: What’s the best way to store soft pretzels?
A: Chances are very high that your homemade pretzels will be snatched up before you get a chance to store them. That said, once the pretzels are fully cooled to room temperature, you can store them in an airtight container for a day or two, or freeze them for later.

Q: Can soft pretzels be frozen?
A: Yes, your homemade soft pretzels can absolutely be frozen. Wait until they are completely cooled to room temp, place them in an airtight container, and freeze.

Q: How do you reheat homemade pretzels?
A: If pretzels were frozen, let them defrost at room temperature first. To microwave, place pretzels on a glass plate and loosely cover with damp cloth/towel. Heat for 15 seconds at a time, until desired warmth.

Q: How can I keep my homemade pretzels warm for a party?
A: Let baked pretzels cool at room temperature, while oven cools off. Place pretzels in an oven-safe container with lid, or wrap them up in foil, and place on middle rack of oven set to “warm.”

Other things to Bake and Eat:

• How to Make Flatbread in 15 Minutes
• Crusty French Bread Recipe
• How to Make Olive Garden Breadsticks
• Rustic Rosemary Garlic Bread
• Parmesan Garlic Pull-Apart Bread Rolls
• How to Make Homemade Dinner Rolls in 1 Hour

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Try this Amazing Garlic Rosemary Bread, Too:

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