Pretzel Dogs
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When I was a kid, I only ate hot dogs one of two ways: nearly burnt to a crisp on the grill, or wrapped in crescent rolls and baked in the oven. The former typically happened during the summer, while the latter was almost always a fall and winter treat. My mom would kick the crescent-wrapped dogs up a notch by slicing the hot dogs down the middle and stuffing a half-slice of American cheese in the middle. As far as my 8-year-old palate was concerned, that was just about as gourmet as you could get. That was my favorite way to eat hot dogs for years and years… until I discovered pretzel dogs. I have been a soft pretzel junkie for what seems like forever, so imagine the shock and awe when I discovered hot dogs wrapped in soft pretzel dough. I don’t eat hot dogs very often, but a few times a year, I’ll have one either straight from the grill, black and charred, or wrapped in a buttery soft pretzel, which is usually accompanied by copious amounts of outlet shopping. For some reason, it never occurred to me to make them at home. Until now. Which is definitely cause for celebration.
I’ve been making homemade soft pretzels for nearly as long as I’ve had this blog and I’ve shared a couple of recipes with you in the past. This one, however, has been my staple for the last nearly three years. I can’t believe in all that time I haven’t gotten it out to you! To make the pretzel dogs, I used this basic recipe and instead of shaping the dough into pretzels (which you could also totally do), I wrapped it around hot dogs. It’s so easy, and if you’ve been intimidated by yeast recipes before, this would be a perfect one to start with. The dough is easy to mix together, very forgiving, and only requires one quick rise of less than an hour.
Whether you want to get in some hot dog-eating while it’s still summer, or you’re on the hunt for game day food for the upcoming fall season, these are definite musts for your menu. You could cut the hot dogs in half for smaller portions, or even use lil’ smokies for bite-size versions. Serve them up with ketchup, your favorite mustard and an ice-cold beer. Perfect for summer, perfect for watching the game, perfect for shopping… perfect anytime!
One year ago: My 10 Favorite Recipes from Summer 2011
Four years ago: Cheddar Ale Spread
Pretzel Dogs
Yield: 8 pretzel dogs
Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 12 to 14 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Ingredients:
1½ cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 package (2¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
4½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
Vegetable oil, for pan
10 cups water
2/3 cup baking soda
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Kosher salt, for sprinklingDirections:
1. Combine the water, sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam.
2. Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl and place it in a clean, oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm area for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.
4. Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart pot.
5. In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a rope that's about 24-inches long. Starting at one end, wrap the dough around the hot dog, pinching each end together so that it's sealed. Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan and repeat with the remaining dough and hot dogs.
6. Place the pretzel dogs into the boiling water two at a time and boil for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat slotted spatula. Return the boiled pretzel dogs to the half sheet pan, brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with the coarse kosher salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.
(Recipe adapted from Alton Brown)
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I am a huge hot dog fan…I’m an even bigger fan of a hot dog wrapped up in a soft pretzel! OMG!
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What a great idea!! Every once in a while, I love a good hot dog. It’s great to see a different way of doing them.
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I can’t wait to try this! I’ve been putting off yeast recipes, but this will be my first attempt! Quick question: were your hot dogs pre-cooked at all before you boiled the pretzel dogs?
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Michelle on August 23rd, 2012 at 9:50 am
Hi Jennifer, No pre-cooking. Just took them from the package, wrapped in the dough, then boiled and baked.
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Jennifer on August 23rd, 2012 at 8:42 pm
Thanks for clearing that up for me! These are on our menu this weekend. It’s unbelievable, but my husband has never had a pretzel dog!
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I saw french bread wrapped hot dogs all over Europe and my Husband and me to make one for him, I think he would like your pretzel dogs better! Bookmarking your recipe!
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Michelle on August 23rd, 2012 at 9:52 am
That’s funny you say that… my boyfriend loves hot dogs on French bread! He loves these pretzel dogs, too
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I liked my version … until I saw yours. I’ll have to make this recipe from now on.
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I’m not really much of a hotdog person, but pretzel dogs? Yeah, I could do that! I love pretzels!
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What a fun idea!! My kids would be all over these!
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I’m not really much of a hot dog eater, but these look fabulous!!
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Yum! I love pretzel dogs, I’ll have to try making them myself now
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Oh my gosh. I have to make these! And, never have I thought that hot dogs were so beautiful! haha!
PS-That’s the pretzel recipe I love, too!
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This looks great. Could you also provide directions on how to just make pretzels out of this dough? Thanks!
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Michelle on August 23rd, 2012 at 9:54 am
Hi Debbie, You would make the dough the exact same way, still dividing it into 8 pieces and roll into a 24-inch rope. Instead of wrapping that rope around a hot dog, you’d just shape it into a pretzel. Boil and bake the same as the recipe above.
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Debbie on August 23rd, 2012 at 10:27 am
Perfect, thanks!
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I’m IN LOVE with pretzel dogs! I just had a few friends over for a “dinner club” and pretzels dogs were the entree! Always a good choice.
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These are crazy and incredible and just all things awesome! Who would have thought?
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I don’t do hot dogs, but sign me up for the pretzel part:) Love!
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OMG… Can’t wait to try this… I’ve never made pretzels before, but love them…. AND just happen to have yeast that’s crying to be used…. thanks!
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Yes please! I’ll take 4.
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Awesome! My son is a very picky eater and I am trying to come up with meal ideas for my sitter while I am night school. I would want to make these in advance. Any recommendations for freezing them?
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Michelle on September 27th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Hi Meghan, I would make and baked these, and then freeze the finished product. To warm, pop them in a 325-degree oven or in a toaster oven. (The pretzel might get too soft in the microwave.)
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Yes, delicious. I was planning to try these for game day this fall. And OMG my mom totally made the crescent dogs with cheese for us too! It was like the best thing ever when she’d bust those out.
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Would wheat flour work instead of all purpose?
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Michelle on September 27th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
I haven’t used it, but someone else in the comment thread mentioned that she’s made this recipe with whole wheat flour and it worked out just fine.
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Totally just added this to my to make list! Thanks so much! I LOVE pretzeldogs!
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That’s me too! Burnt on the grill or pigs in the blanket
Love the idea of pretzel wrapped dogs – my kiddos will too!
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I am craving a soft pretzel so badly, and this is such a great way to use them. I can’t remember the last time I had a hot dog, and I’ve never had one wrapped in a pretzel, but I am now officially craving one!
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Can you use the dough setting on a breadmaker?
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Michelle on September 27th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Hi Nancy, I have never used a breadmaker, so I’m unsure about how the settings work. There is very little prep time and only one rise, so doing it by hand isn’t very difficult.
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I love pretzel dogs and yours look so perfect! Now you have me craving for some!
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Oh these preztel dogs look amazing! I haven’t had one in forever, but these ones look delicious.
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These look good. I eat very few hot dogs but I’d like to try this recipe. I already pinned it.
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Wow, I’m not really big on hot dogs but these actually look really good!!
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These are so cute! Such a great variation on a plain old hot dog.
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hey quick question where did you get that measuring mat?
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Michelle on September 27th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Hi Ace, The mat is from King Arthur Flour: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/silicone-rolling-mat#4994#
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Alton’s recipe rocks! Works well with whole wheat flour, too!
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O.K. these look like something my kids would love, but what I’m really interested in is where you got that King Arthur Flour rolling mat!
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Michelle on September 27th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Hi Barb, I got the mat from King Arthur Flour – http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/silicone-rolling-mat#4994#
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Thanks, Michelle! My two boys will LOVE these!!!
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Ahhh……. the sweet smell of buttery mall food…. at home. This looks beautiful, I’m not too keen of hot dogs either. But, wrapped in preztels. Oh! The Princess is happy!! Will have to try this after a fit into that new dress….
Great site!
Keep it yummy,
The Princess
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I love pretzel dog, but it is hard to come by around my neighborhood. Thank you for sharing this.
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The pretzel dogs look absolutely delicious. will definitely be trying…
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This looks like a fun recipe to try this weekend! I really like the recipes you feature! I look forward to the email.
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I want to make these for tonight! Will it work if I add cheese inside the dough with the weiner?
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Michelle on September 27th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Hi Courtney, I would actually cut a slit in the hot dog and put the cheese in there. I’d be afraid if the cheese was between the hot dog and dough that it could weep out while the dogs are being boiled.
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Terrific looking pretzel dogs! My recipe is similar for pretzel dough with the exception of bringing soda water to boil and drop in. Mine says to turn water down to a simmer then drop pretzels in. Have you tried that or is a rolling boil best, yours are gorgeous, just worried about them becoming mush at a boil!
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Michelle on September 27th, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Hi Kaye, I always do a rolling boil on high heat and haven’t had a problem. Enjoy!
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OMG. Yes. i had these when i was in New York!! I’ve been craving ever since. Gotta try this soon
)
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What a fun weeknight dinner idea!!!
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These were amazing! I replaced 2 cups of flour with whole wheat pastry flour. It was DELICIOUS!
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Made these this past weekend….instead of hotdogs I used the bun length smoked sausages….OMG! Fabulous! This will definitely be added to our menu rotation. Yummy!
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I made these tonight for dinner and my husband loved them! I loved the pretzel part, but I didn’t care for the hot dog part. The next time I make these, I’ll get different hot dogs.
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I finally made these tonight for me and some college friends for dinner! (Okay. My roommate made the dough and did most of the work… I had a meeting.) We had a blast, and while they didn’t come out nearly as gorgeous as yours, they were still delicious! Thanks for sharing the idea!
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Just made this & they are all gone! My family loooved them! Never had a prezel (from Kenya) , bt my dad’s already asking me to make some more. Thanks!!!
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Nathans hot dogs are the best with these. I cut them into “coins” and top with chili, cheese, diced onions and mustard. Yum!
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I was so thrilled to find these on Pinterest. My daughter loves these from Auntie Anne’s. Whenever we go to the mall the first thing out of her mouth is can we get a pretzel dog. Now she can have them at home and better yet for lunch at school! These were so easy to make and to make it even more yummy I used the hot dogs with cheese inside of them. I wish I was there at school to see her face when she unwrapped these! Thank you so much for this recipe. This will become a staple at our house. I am so glad I made a ton and am going to freeze them. I know I will be getting lots of requests for these.
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Made these for dinner tonight, and sharing your recipe on my blog! I split the recipe exactly in half and it turned out perfect. This was sooo delicious. Thank you!
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Do you think this would work with veggie dogs instead of regular hot dogs?
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Michelle on January 17th, 2013 at 6:43 pm
Sure!
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Melissa on January 17th, 2013 at 8:03 pm
Thanks! I am excited to try these with my kids!
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Is it possible to make the dough a day in advance and just leave it in the fridge for the night? Or would this mess up the dough because of the yeast?
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Michelle on January 20th, 2013 at 3:50 pm
Hi Rick, I have never done it, but a lot of people have success using a cold, overnight rise with dough. This is a pretty forgiving recipe, so I think it would be worth a shot.
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I want to make these for church event on a sunday afte church, could could I boil them one day and bake them the next?
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Michelle on January 28th, 2013 at 11:22 pm
Hi Lacie, Unfortunately no, you need to bake the pretzels as soon as you boil them.
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Vickey on January 31st, 2013 at 2:12 pm
Lacie, these reheat well either by microwave or like I do in the oven so boil and bake as per recipe once cool wrap them and put them in the fridge and then just reheat when you need them
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Hi, I’m wondering if I can make this without a mixer, just by hand
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Michelle on February 5th, 2013 at 5:06 pm
Absolutely! Enjoy!
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I made these Saturday for the UFC fight night and they were ah-maz-ing!!! I did the dough by hand which was super easy it’s definitely not a picky dough by any means. I had enough dough to cover 12 jumbo hotdogs which was a pleasant surprise. I served the hotdogs in thirds with Chipotle Ketchup and the men just devoured these babies. Excellent recipe
Doing a blog post soon and signing your praises lol
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I just made these today. They are awesome! I sprinkled a little bit of onion powder on a few of them, along with the salt because my other half loves onions on his hot dogs. Wonderful… Thanks! I’ll definitely make these again!
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I made these last night. So beautiful and delicious. The only comment I have is that I think this recipe makes just a little bit too much dough for the 8 hot dogs. Next time I would split the dough into 10 pieces and just make a couple stand alone pretzels with the extra dough. Oh, I also think next time I will try wrapping a slice of American cheese around the dogs before wrapping them in the dough.
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