Homemade Soft Pretzels

These homemade soft pretzels are the best of the best, with a chewy texture on the outside and an incredibly soft inside that melts in your mouth. They're a fun snack to make with kids. Plus, you can bake up huge pretzels, regular-size, soft pretzel bites, or even make pretzel dogs with this dough. They're perfect for afternoon snacks, movie nights, game days, or just because!

The Best Homemade Pretzels!

I am a bona fide soft pretzel addict. Whether it’s mall pretzels, a sporting event, or at a restaurant that's offering Oktoberfest specials, there's absolutely no question that I'm going to get a soft pretzel.

There's something so satisfying about that distinctive chewy exterior paired with the warm, soft interior of a pretzel that makes them irresistible. It's a snack food that transcends seasons. Whether you're enjoying a baseball game on a warm summer evening, partaking in Oktoberfest festivities during the fall, catching a hockey game in the dead of winter, or enjoying everything that's in bloom during springtime, soft pretzels are where it's at!

This is my third iteration of a soft pretzel recipe. My first attempt was nearly 15 years ago, and then I moved on to another recipe a few months later. I finally settled on this fabulous version from Alton Brown about 10 years ago, and it's the only one I've been making since. I've found that this recipe produces the softest, chewiest, most traditional-tasting soft pretzels that I've made to date.

Key Ingredients

This homemade soft pretzel recipe is broken down into four parts - the pretzel dough, the baking soda water bath, the egg wash, and the salt garnish. That may seem like a lot, but they're truly each so simple, and I'd bet you have most or all of these ingredients on hand at this very moment!

• For the Soft Pretzel Dough: You'll need warm water, light brown sugar, kosher salt, active-dry or instant yeast, all-purpose flour, and melted unsalted butter.
• For the Baking Soda Solution: You'll need just baking soda and water.
• For the Egg Wash: You need an egg yolk and water.
• For the Topping: You'll just need coarse salt to sprinkle on your baked pretzels.

Step-By-Step Instructions

It might not seem like it at first glance, but homemade soft pretzels are a relatively easy process and don't take very long as far as kitchen projects go. You'll be rewarded with some of the most AMAZING pretzels!

Step #1: Mix the Dough – Combine water, sugar, and salt; then add yeast. Once this mixture is combined, we'll let it sit for a few minutes until it "blooms" (i.e. the yeast starts to wake up and get foamy). Next, add flour and butter. This is all you need to make the dough!

Step #2: Knead the Dough – Knead the dough with a stand mixer and dough hook until it's soft, pillowy, and just slightly tacky. You can also knead by hand; it will take longer, and you’ll need some elbow grease!

Step #3: Dough Rise – Cover the bowl and place in a warm, draft-free spot until dough is doubled in size; usually 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Step #4: Prepare the Baking Soda Bath – Combine water and baking soda in a large pot, and bring to a boil.

Step #6: Baking Soda Bath – The pretzels only need to be in the water bath for about 30 seconds, otherwise, they will take on too much of the baking soda taste. A quick dip, then remove with a slotted spatula. This is what “sets” the outside of the dough and achieves that characteristic soft pretzel flavor and chewy texture.

Step #7: Egg Wash and Salt – Brush the pretzels with an egg wash (or melted butter if you want more of a buttery flavor) and sprinkle with salt or whatever other toppings you might like.

Step #8: Bake! – Less than 15 minutes in the oven, or until golden brown (or however done you prefer your pretzels!), let them cool for a few minutes, then dig in!

Serving Suggestions

These are wonderful served as a snack or appetizer with some tangy mustard (yellow, whole grain, or spicy brown would be delicious) or homemade cheese sauce, and some other of my favorite party dips, like:

• Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Homemade French Onion Dip
• Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
• Easy Spinach Dip
• Dill Pickle Dip
• Harry & David Dip

Pretzel Variations

Once you have this basic recipe down, you can use it to make all sorts of adaptations, including:

• Cinnamon-Sugar Pretzels
• Cheddar-Jalapeno Pretzels
• Pizza Pretzels
• Garlic Butter Pretzels
• Chocolate Chip Pretzels
• Nutella-Stuffed Pretzels
• Hot Dog Mummies (Kids will love this for Halloween! Wrap the risen dough around cooked hotdogs, and bake until golden brown. Top with salt and make a face using your favorite condiments!)
• I have also used this recipe to make pretzel bites, as well (recipe includes a spicy cheese dipping sauce, too!). 

There are so many savory and sweet flavor options, and they’re all delicious!

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions

• Storage: Keep these homemade soft pretzels in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Freezing Instructions: Wrap the baked and cooled pretzels individually in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. Then place in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or reheat from frozen following the instructions below.
• Reheating Instructions: Place the pretzels in a 350-degree oven or toaster oven for about 15 minutes, or until heated through. Alternately, you can also microwave until heated through.

Recipe Notes

You don't have to be an expert at baking with yeast to turn out some fantastic soft pretzels. Before long, you'll be twisting and shaping dough like a pro. If you've been nervous about working with yeast in the past, this recipe is a fabulous place to start, as it's basic, easy, and incredibly forgiving.

A few quick tips to help you make some ah-mazing pretzels!

• Yeast – Both instant and active dry yeasts can be used in this recipe. Even if I use instant, I still like to let the yeast sit with the water, sugar, and salt before moving on to the remainder of the recipe.
• Mixing Method – The dough can be made using a stand mixer or by hand, I have done both successfully.
• Size and Number of Pretzels – This recipe makes eight large pretzels. If you want slightly smaller pretzels, you can easily divide the dough into 12 portions instead. Check for doneness a couple of minutes early.
• Egg Wash – The egg wash on the pretzels gives them a little shine, and I find it softens the exterior a bit. For a more traditional taste, omit the egg wash and just use salt when the pretzels come out of the water bath. For more of an Auntie Anne's buttery flavor, brush the pretzels with melted butter when they come out of the water bath and again when they come out of the oven.

Watch the Recipe Video:

If you make this soft pretzel recipe and love it, remember to stop back and give it a 5-star rating - it helps others find the recipe! ❤️️

This recipe was originally published in January 2013.

Photography by Dee Frances.