Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe

These homemade soft pretzels have a perfect balance of softness and chewiness on the inside, with a crisp and salty exterior. The ingredients are simple, many of which you probably already have at home!

What You'll Need:

• 5 cups of warm water, divided
• 4 teaspoons of active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon of white sugar (for activating yeast)
• cup of white sugar (for the dough)
• 5 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoons of salt
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (or more if needed)
• cup of baking soda
• 4 cups of hot water
• cup of kosher salt for topping

Optional: You can substitute garlic salt or cinnamon-sugar for the kosher salt if desired.

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a medium bowl, pour 1 cups of warm water. Add the yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for about 10 minutes until it becomes creamy and bubbly.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

In a large bowl, combine the flour, cup of sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center, then pour in the yeast mixture and vegetable oil. Stir to combine and form a dough. If the dough feels too dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of water. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 7 minutes, or until its smooth and elastic.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Lightly oil a large bowl and place the dough inside. Turn it to coat in the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm area for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 4: Shape the Pretzels

Preheat your oven to 450F (230C) and grease two baking sheets. On a lightly floured surface, turn the dough out and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 15-18 inches long. Twist the ends together and fold them over the bottom curve to form the classic pretzel shape.

Step 5: Boil the Pretzels

In a large bowl, combine the 4 cups of hot water and the baking soda. Stir until the baking soda dissolves. Dip each pretzel into the hot baking soda solution for a few seconds, then place them on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 6: Bake the Pretzels

Sprinkle each pretzel with kosher salt, then bake in the preheated oven for about 8 minutes, or until golden brown.

Step 7: Enjoy!

Serve these fresh, warm pretzels with mustard or a homemade cheese dip for the ultimate snack!

How to Store:

Store leftover pretzels in an airtight for up to two days. To reheat, place them in the oven rather than the microwave for the best results.

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 237
• Fat: 2g
• Carbs: 49g
• Protein: 6g
• Sodium: 468mg
• Dietary Fiber: 2g

Enjoy these soft, warm pretzels, and feel free to experiment with different toppings or dips!