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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 homemade pretzels on a cutting board
These homemade soft pretzels are irresistible! Top them with your favorite add-ins.

Video: Watch us Make Soft Pretzels

You Can Make These Easy Soft Pretzels

Some things in life can actually be easier than they look. Take these soft pretzels. These soft and chewy homemade pretzels are special snacks usually reserved for shopping mall meanderings, can absolutely emerge from your own oven.

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.

soft homemade pretzels with butter being brushed on
Brush melted butter on top of freshly baked pretzels for the ultimate treat.

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 Dippings

soft pretzels with coarse sea salt on top and mustard on the side
Serve soft pretzels with a side of mustard or melted cheese.

Common Questions and Answers

What’s the best way to store soft pretzels?

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.

Can soft pretzels be frozen?

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.

How do you reheat homemade pretzels?

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.

How can I keep my homemade pretzels warm for a party?

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


Try this Amazing Garlic Rosemary Bread, Too


Did you make this?

Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!

soft pretzels with coarse sea salt on top and mustard on the side

Easy Soft Pretzel Recipe

5 from 55 ratings
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.
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

Instructions

  • Combine first 4 ingredients in large bowl, mixing it in a little. Let sit until mixture foams.  Add flour and butter. Mix until combined, by hand or stand mixer.
  • Knead until dough is smooth and no longer sticks to bowl (about 5 min).  Put dough into well oiled bowl and turn dough so it is oiled on all surface areas.
  • Cover with damp towel and set in warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.The actual time it takes to double depends, of course, on the temperature. If the room is cool, I set my dough in the oven, with only the light turned on. If you do that, just make sure you remove the dough before preheating oven. 
  • Preheat oven to 450F.  Line cookie sheets with parchment paper, and grease paper with oil.
  • Bring baking soda and 10-cup water mixture to a boil in large pan.
  • Divide dough into 8 equal pieces.  Roll out each one into a 1 1/2 – 2 ft rope.  Lightly oil working surface if needed.
  • Making a U-shape with rope, cross the ends over each other and form pretzel shape.  Press ends tightly in, so they don’t come apart while baking.
  • One at a time, carefully lift and place each pretzel into boiling water for just 30 seconds. This gives it that wonderful outer texture.
  • Return to parchment-lined pan. Brush tops of pretzels with egg/water mixture.  If desired, sprinkle lightly with coarse salt. Bake 9-10 minor until golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and brush with butter, if desired. Sprinkle desired toppings onto pretzels. Cool on rack a few minutes before taking a bite.  

Notes

  • Pretzels are best eaten fresh and warm. To store leftover pretzels: 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.
  • Baked soft pretzels can also be frozen. Wait until they are completely cooled to room temp, place them in an airtight container, and freeze.
  • 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.
  • See original article for flavor variations and topping ideas. 
  • If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating ❤️

Nutrition (per serving)

Serving: 1g | Calories: 330kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 343mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 330IU | Vitamin C: 0.003mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 3mg
Course: Bread
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat, Low Lactose, Vegetarian
Method: baking
5 from 55 votes (46 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




32 comments

    • chihuachsund

    i notice the recipe calls for oil for frying,but there was no frying involved 🙂 I assume this is for the bowl it rises in and lubing the work surface? My yeast for this recipe is activating, and my butter is melting as I type this, I can’t wait to taste these!

      • chihuachsund

      also, why do you spray the parchment paper?

        • chewoutloud

        To ensure pretzels easily remove from paper, but you can try it without. 🙂

      • chewoutloud

      Yes, the oil is for bowl rising. 🙂

        • chihuachsund

        thanks, they turned out WONDERFUL, making another batch tonight!

    • eatzybitzy

    I love Pretzelssssss!!! I actually liked many of the recipes from Alton Brown 😛 they worked out perfectly but I have never tried this one.

      • Genevieve
      • 5 stars

      I love a good pretzel recipe and these look incredible! Perfect for weekend baking. Yummy!

    • sweeterpart

    These look like they turned out wonderfully! I made my own pretzels today and they were a little bland-I like that the recipe you used had butter inside the dough instead of sprinkled atop! Thanks for sharing!

      • chewoutloud

      I’m sure your pretzels were still delish! Thanks for visitng, sweeterpart! 🙂

    • mydearbakes

    You are so a talented baker! This is so amazing! =)

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