Best Ever Soft Pretzels

These Best Ever Soft Pretzels are the ideal handheld snack that kids of all ages love. Serve them with a side of spicy or whole grain mustard and your favorite cheese sauce for dipping.

Best Ever Soft Pretzels Recipe

When you have a house filled with teenage boys, it takes snacking to another level. It seems like they can eat a full meal while waiting for the actual meal to be ready. These big soft pretzels are one of those snacks, that always brings them and their friends, running to the kitchen. They enjoy them just as is, or with a dip to fill their hungry spot. How to make Soft Pretzels: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

• Bloom Yeast – Combine water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam.
• Flour – Add flour and butter. Using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined.
• Knead the Dough – Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, about 4-5 minutes.
• Let Rise – Remove dough from bowl, clean bowl and oil bottom and sides with vegetable oil. Return dough to bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit in a warm place for approximately 50-60 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
• Prepare Pans – Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line 2 large sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with vegetable oil. Set aside.
• Boil Water – In an 8 quart saucepan or pot, bring 10 cups of water and baking soda to a rolling boil.
• Divide Dough – Turn dough out onto a lightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto parchment-lined sheet pan.
• Boil – Place the pretzels into the boiling water, one at a time for 30 seconds each. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula.
• Egg Wash – Return to sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with beaten egg yolk and water mixture. Sprinkle with salt.
• Bake – Bake per the recipe until dark golden brown in color.
• Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving with mustard or cheese sauce for dipping..

How to Make the BEST Soft Pretzels Recipe

While it does take several steps to make homemade pretzels. don’t be intimidated. The ingredients are simple and can be found already stocked in most pantries.

• Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Soft Pretzels: All purpose flour, warm water, active dry yeast, salt, sugar, water for boiling, vegetable oil, baking soda, large egg yolk to make the egg wash and kosher salt or sea salt.
• Kitchen tools you’ll need: Stand mixer, measuring cups and spoons, large pot, sheet pan, pastry brush and small bowl.
• When making pretzels from scratch, it’s imperative that you start with fresh yeast. Check the packaging for the expiration date and be patient and give it ample time to bloom. If, after waiting 10 minutes there’s no action throw it out and start again.
• Just as when you’re baking homemade bread, use fresh flour.
• You can use sea salt or pretzel salt to sprinkle on top of the finished pretzels. Pretzel salt is usually found with the other salt products at most grocery stores.
• You can make these pretzels smaller by dividing the dough into more portions.
• How do you make cinnamon sugar pretzels? The technique for making the pretzels is the same. In place of salt, sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar for a sweet version after baking. You may need to brush the pretzels with melted butter so it will stick.
• Once the pretzels are baked and cooled you can store soft pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
• You can also freeze the pretzels two ways. If you’d like to freeze prior to boiling and baking, place formed pretzels on a baking pan and into the freezer. Once solid, package in freezer safe bags until using. Pretzel dough will keep frozen for up to 3 months, possibly even longer.
• You can also freeze fully prepared soft pretzels. Bake and cool then package in freezer safe bags or containers for up to 1 month. Thaw on the counter or in the refrigerator then gently reheat in the microwave to eat.

Favorite Dipping Sauces to Serve with Soft Pretzels

While homemade pretzels are most often served with classic mustard and cheese sauce for dipping, you can use any sauce, you like. We’ve even dipped pretzels into homemade pimento cheese using these beauties. More dip recipes to make:

• This ooey gooey Reuben Dip features all of the same flavors we love on a Rueben sandwich.
• This simple Million Dollar Dip is filled with toasted almonds, crumbled bacon, green onions and sharp cheddar cheese.
• My recipe for Pepper Jack Spinach Dip takes a classic dip and expands the flavors with the addition of bacon and spicy cheese.
• Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip is a riff on the famous wings.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Sheet Pan
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Set
• Large Pot