You don’t have to go to a mall or a concession stand for these Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels! Make this recipe for the perfect pretzel, complete with melt-in-your-mouth dough and crunchy, coarse sea salt that will have you saying “Yum!” with every savory bite. Once you try these Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels, you’ll want to make this treat again and again!
Ingredients
- 1 packet active dry or instant yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and slightly cool
- 3 3/4-4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for work surface
- 1/2 cup baking soda, optional
- 9 cups water, optional
- coarse sea salt, optional, for sprinkling
Directions
Step 1 –Whisk the yeast into the warm water.
Step 2 –Allow the mixture to sit for 1 minute.
Step 3 –Whisk in the salt, brown sugar, and melted butter.
Step 4 –Slowly add 3 cups of the flour, 1 cup at a time.
Step 5 –Mix the mixture with a wooden spoon or dough hook attached to a stand mixer until the dough is thick.
Step 6 –Add 3/4 cup of the flour until the dough is no longer sticky. If it is still sticky, add 1/4 – 1/2 cup more, as needed. Poke the dough with your finger – if it bounces back, it is ready to knead.
Step 7 –Turn the dough out onto a floured surface.
Step 8 –Knead the dough for 3 minutes and shape it into a ball.
Step 9 –Cover the ball lightly with a towel and allow it to rest for 10 minutes.
Step 10 –Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Step 11 –Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. If using parchment paper, lightly spray it with nonstick spray or grease with butter. Set aside.
Step 12 –With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough into 1/3 cup sections.
Step 13 –Roll the dough into a 20-22 inch rope.
Step 14 –Take the ends and draw them together so the dough forms a circle. Twist the ends, then bring them towards yourself, pressing them down into a pretzel shape.
Step 15 –Bring the baking soda and 9 cups of water to a boil in a large pot.
Step 16 –Drop 1-2 pretzels at a time into the boiling water for 20-30 seconds. Any more than that and your pretzels will have a metallic taste. Using a slotted spatula, lift the pretzel out of the water and allow as much of the excess water to drip off.
Step 17 –Place the pretzels onto the prepared baking sheet.
Step 18 –Sprinkle each with coarse sea salt.
Step 19 –Bake until golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.
Step 20 –Remove the pretzels from the oven and serve warm.
