Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels
Enjoy warm, chewy, and customizable soft pretzels made easily at home with basic ingredients.
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)
Boiling and Topping Ingredients
- ¾ cup baking soda for boiling
- Coarse salt for topping
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a dough begins to form.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic.
- Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size (approximately 1 hour).
Cooking
- Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Once risen, divide the dough into equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 24 inches long, and twist it into a pretzel shape.
- In a large pot, bring water and baking soda to a boil. Carefully drop each shaped pretzel into the boiling water and let them cook for about 30 seconds before removing.
- Place the boiled pretzels on parchment-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
To keep your homemade soft pretzels fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They can last for up to 3 months in the freezer. To reheat, bake in an oven until warm.