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Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe

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4.1 from 21 reviews

  • Author: Sky
  • Total Time: 1 hour 24 minutes
  • Yield: 8 pretzels
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This homemade soft pretzel recipe is a delightful baking project perfect for enjoying warm and fresh from the oven. These soft pretzels feature a lightly sweet dough with a golden-brown crust, sprinkled with coarse sea salt, and are great served alone or with spicy mustard or vegan cheese for dipping.

Ingredients

For the Pretzel Dough

  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 pkg. (¼ ounce) active dry yeast (2¼ teaspoons)
  • 1½ cups warm water
  • 4½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil or canola oil, plus more for brushing
  • Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling

For the Poaching Water

  • 6 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda

Instructions

  1. Proof the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the maple syrup, active dry yeast, and warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes or until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Mix the Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, add flour, sea salt, olive oil, and the yeast mixture. Mix on medium-low speed for 5 to 6 minutes until the dough forms a cohesive ball around the hook. If the dough feels very dry after 3 minutes, add 1 tablespoon of water.
  3. Knead and Let Rise: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and gently knead into a smooth ball. Add a little more flour if sticky. Lightly oil a large bowl with ½ teaspoon olive oil, place the dough inside, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for 60 to 90 minutes, or until nearly doubled in size.
  4. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 450°F (232°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  5. Shape the Pretzels: Turn out the dough onto a clean, unfloured surface. Divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into an 18-inch rope. Form a U shape, cross the ends over each other, twist once more, then fold the twist down towards the center to form a classic pretzel shape. Place shaped pretzels on the baking sheet.
  6. Prepare Poaching Water: Bring 6 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda to a boil in a large pot.
  7. Boil Pretzels: Drop pretzels one at a time into the boiling baking soda water and boil for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place back on the baking sheet.
  8. Salt and Score: While pretzels are still wet from boiling, sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Use a sharp knife to cut a 4-inch slit along the bottom of each pretzel.
  9. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 14 minutes or until pretzels are golden brown.
  10. Serve: Enjoy the pretzels warm, plain or with your favorite dipping sauces such as spicy mustard or vegan cheese.

Notes

  • Make sure water is warm (about 110°F) when activating yeast to ensure it proofs properly.
  • If dough is sticky, add flour gradually during kneading to avoid tough pretzels.
  • Boiling pretzels in baking soda water creates their signature chewy texture and glossy crust.
  • For extra flavor, try brushing pretzels with melted vegan butter after baking.
  • Leftover pretzels can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to regain softness.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (including rising time)
  • Cook Time: 14 minutes
  • Category: Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://skysrecipes.com/homemade-soft-pretzels-recipe/