Homemade Soft Pretzels are both delicious and EASY! The classic tangy, chewy crust with the fluffy inside is exactly what this recipe will provide. This Soft Pretzel Recipe is fast, too! It takes less than 1 hour from start to finish.
Homemade Soft Pretzels- Easier than you’d think!
I remember making homemade soft pretzels quite a few times growing up. The insides were never quite as fluffy as they should have been though. (Don’t worry, I’ve worked out all the kinks for this brand new recipe! 😉)
When we were at the mall this past week (for the second time. That is a whole different story in and of itself, though) we walked by the Pretzel Maker. 1. Why does every mall in America seem to have a Pretzel Maker? 2. Why does the smell of fresh pretzels immediately make me salivate and forget all of my money saving habits?
Okay, kidding about the last part. I can only remember once in the past 7 years where I’ve actually given into the salivation and bought a pretzel. I was pregnant at the time and needed food though, so it is totally justified. 😉
Only this time at the mall, it wasn’t just me salivating. Chase said ‘Woah. What’s that smell??’ And that is when I knew, I needed to bust out a soft pretzel recipe. And FAST!
After a couple of test runs (all within the past few days!) I think I’ve nailed it. The dough is an absolute DREAM to work with. Guess what? They aren’t even that hard! I would say a beginner would be able to follow the instructions and be totally successful!!
Have an hour and a handful of ingredients to spare?? Let’s make some Pretzels!
How to make Homemade Soft pretzels
First, let’s make the dough.
The dough is very simple. First, proof your yeast in some warm water with some sugar. If you aren’t familiar with the terminology, proofing means to activate the yeast. This is done by mixing together the yeast, warm water and some sugar (yeast feeds off of sugar and will help activate it) and letting it sit until it is nice and frothy (see photo below). If it bubbles up, you know your yeast is active and well. If it doesn’t bubble up, your yeast is dead.
The yeast could be dead for a few reasons, too hot of water, not warm enough water, old yeast, too much sugar, or accidentally using salt instead of sugar (you know I know that from experience, right?😉). Follow my exact measurements below in the recipe card and you will be golden!
As for the temperature of water, test the water on the inside of your wrist, the water should feel warm there, not hot, just warm.
After the yeast has been proofed, add in some melted butter, salt and flour. Mix for 10 minutes. The dough should not stick to the sides of the bowl at all and should be extremely smooth and elastic.
At this point, it is time to rise the dough. I like to use my Instant Pot to rise the dough quickly. If using the Instant Pot, turn the Instant Pot onto the Normal YOGURT setting and allow the dough to rise fo 15 minutes.
If you do not have an Instant Pot or don’t have the yogurt button, allow the dough to rise on the counter top until double is size. Approx. 1 hour.
Once the dough has doubled in size, punch the dough down. Divide into 8 equal pieces.
It is now time to prepare the baking soda and water bath. Again, I like to use my Instant Pot for this but you could definitely use your stove top!
If using the Instant Pot, place 4 cups of water with 1/4 cup baking soda in the Instant Pot and set to Sauté HIGH. If using the stove top, add the same (4 cups of water with 1/4 cup baking soda) to a large pot and turn the stovetop on to medium high. We are looking to get this water boiling.
While the water is heating up, it is time to shape the pretzels! You won’t believe how easy this is!
- roll the dough into a long rope. Approx 2 ft long.
- lay the rope into a ‘U’ shape.
- cross the ends of the ‘U’. Repeat.
- fold the ends down towards the bottom of the ‘U’.
- Pinch the ends in place.
When all of the pretzels have been shaped, dip each pretzel one by one into the boiling soda water.
Let the pretzels sit for about 30 seconds before removing the pretzels and transferring them to a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
Repeat with the remaining pretzels. Brush each pretzel with egg white and then sprinkle sea salt on top.
Bake at 425° for 10 minutes. Allow the pretzels to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Best if eaten right away or within the hour. If the pretzels won’t be eaten within the hour I would suggest freezing them as soon as they are cool. The best way to reheat a frozen pretzel is in the oven at 425° for 10 minutes.
I like to serve the pretzels with a simple cheese sauce. I need to make and test the cheese sauce a bit more, but I’ll write down what I usually do in case you are interested. 😉
Cheese Sauce1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp flour
1 cup milk
1/4 cup sharp white cheddar cheese (grated)
1/2 cup milk cheddar cheese (grated
salt and pepper to taste
- Melt the butter and flour over medium heat in a small sauce pan. Cook for 3 minutes.
- slowly whisk in the milk.
- add the cheese, whisk until melted and combined.
- season with salt and pepper.
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More Bread Recipes
Homemade Soft Pretzels
Ingredients
Pretzel Dough
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 pkg dry active yeast
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 egg white optional
- sea salt optional
Baking Soda Bath
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup baking soda
Instructions
- Add the warm water, yeast and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer. Let sit for 5 minutes or until bubbly. If the yeast isn't bubbly, it isn't active and the pretzels will not work. Repeat this step with new yeast until it is bubbly.
- Add the melted butter, salt and flour to the stand mixer. Turn on LOW and allow the stand mixer to knead the dough for 10 minutes.
- The dough should be very soft, but shouldn't stick to the sides of the bowl at all.
- Allow the dough to rise until double. (1 hour on the counter) If using the Instant Pot, spray the liner with non stick spray and then let the dough rise in the Instant Pot on the Yogurt NORMAL setting for 15 minutes.
- After the dough has doubled, punch down the dough and divide into 8 equal sized pieces. Set aside.
- Combine the water and baking soda in either a large pot on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot. Bring the soda water to a boil. If using the Instant Pot, set it to Saute HIGH.
- Preheat oven to 425°.
- While the soda water is coming to a boil, shape the pretzels.
- Take one piece of dough and roll into a 2 ft long rope. Lay the rope in the shape of a 'U'.
- Cross the ends of the 'U'. Repeat this step so the rope is twisted.
- Fold the ends of the 'U' down towards the bottom of the 'U' and pinch the ends to create the pretzel shape. (see image diagram in post).
- Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Once all of the pretzels have been shaped, gently place each pretzel (one by one) in the boiling soda water. Allow the pretzel to boil for about 30 seconds before removing and transferring to a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
- Repeat with remaining pretzels.
- Brush each pretzel with egg white (if desired) and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Bake at 425° for 10 minutes.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes before eating.
- Best eaten within the hour. If you'd like to store for a longer period of time, I suggest freezing the pretzels as soon as they are cool. Reheat the pretzels in the oven at 425° for 8-10 minutes.
Nutrition
Homemade Soft Pretzels
Homemade Soft Pretzels are both delicious and EASY! The classic tangy, chewy crust with the fluffy inside is exactly what this recipe will provide. This Soft Pretzel Recipe is fast, too! It takes less than 1 hour from start to finish.
Course Bread, Snack
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 49 minutes
Servings 8 pretzels
Calories 152kcal
Ingredients
Pretzel Dough
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 pkg dry active yeast
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 egg white optional
- sea salt optional
Baking Soda Bath
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 cup baking soda
Instructions
- Add the warm water, yeast and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer. Let sit for 5 minutes or until bubbly. If the yeast isn’t bubbly, it isn’t active and the pretzels will not work. Repeat this step with new yeast until it is bubbly.
- Add the melted butter, salt and flour to the stand mixer. Turn on LOW and allow the stand mixer to knead the dough for 10 minutes.
- The dough should be very soft, but shouldn’t stick to the sides of the bowl at all.
- Allow the dough to rise until double. (1 hour on the counter) If using the Instant Pot, spray the liner with non stick spray and then let the dough rise in the Instant Pot on the Yogurt NORMAL setting for 15 minutes.
- After the dough has doubled, punch down the dough and divide into 8 equal sized pieces. Set aside.
- Combine the water and baking soda in either a large pot on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot. Bring the soda water to a boil. If using the Instant Pot, set it to Saute HIGH.
- Preheat oven to 425°.
- While the soda water is coming to a boil, shape the pretzels.
- Take one piece of dough and roll into a 2 ft long rope. Lay the rope in the shape of a ‘U’.
- Cross the ends of the ‘U’. Repeat this step so the rope is twisted.
- Fold the ends of the ‘U’ down towards the bottom of the ‘U’ and pinch the ends to create the pretzel shape. (see image diagram in post).
- Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Once all of the pretzels have been shaped, gently place each pretzel (one by one) in the boiling soda water. Allow the pretzel to boil for about 30 seconds before removing and transferring to a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
- Repeat with remaining pretzels.
- Brush each pretzel with egg white (if desired) and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Bake at 425° for 10 minutes.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes before eating.
- Best eaten within the hour. If you’d like to store for a longer period of time, I suggest freezing the pretzels as soon as they are cool. Reheat the pretzels in the oven at 425° for 8-10 minutes.
Karli Bitner
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Maria says
Yummy! No yogurt button on mine, but is the porridge button the same? Thanks!
karlibitner says
The Porridge button would be too hot, unfortunalty. I would just rise the regular way without the yogurt button. Sorry!!
Iris says
Do you think I could use the same recipe and methodology to make pretzel rolls instead of pretzels? Been looking for a pretzel roll recipe that I could proof and boil in the instant pot! Do you think I’d need to make any modifications other than shape?
karlibitner says
Oh, I think those sound great!! This recipe won’t make a lot of rolls, probably about 6. I would shape them, boil them, score the top in an ‘x’ and then let them rise on the counter for an additional 30 minutes and then bake them. I may have to give this a try this week!!
Amanda says
What type of flour should be used? I am not great at baking but trying to use my new Kitchenaid more!
Thank you 🙂
Amanda
karlibitner says
I use all purpose flour. 🙂 Good luck!
JD says
If you don’t have a kitchenaid mixer what would I use to mix it? By hand or with mixer/ beater? Or just not attempt it until I have a kitchenaid?
Thank you in advance.
Karli Bitner says
You could definitely stir it with a wooden spoon until it is too thick and then knead by hand, you’ll get quite the workout but it will work! 🙂
Megan says
Can I make the dough the day before boil and bake the next day?
Karli Bitner says
Hi Megan- I haven’t ever tried this so I am not sure what the outcome would be. If you give it a try, let me know how they turn out!
Kendra says
Did you try making the dough the night before?
Glenda says
Wow! This really looks easy. When i use the yogurt function do i put the lid on or off? I’ve never really used my instant pot, but based on your easy recipes, i think ill use it more often! Thanks for the great recipes!
Karli Bitner says
Hi Glenda! You should definitely make these! They really are so easy! You’ll want to put a lid on while the dough rises, you can use either there Instant Pot lid (with the vent open) or just a regular glass lid from another pan you have in your cupboard. 🙂
Kim Simmons says
Probably a very dumb question- how do you put the pretzels in the boiling water and remove them???
Karli Bitner says
Hi Kim! I just drop them in and then remove them with tongs. 🙂 and no question is a dumb one around here!
Ml Kopen says
Slotted spoon
Barbara preston says
This recipe was so easy and delicious. I did have one problem maybe you could help me with. The pretzels after they were baked stuck to the parchment paper. Was able to pull them off leaving the bottom on the paper but would love to know what I could do next time. Thanks
Karli Bitner says
Hi Barbara! I am glad you enjoyed the recipe! A few others have mentioned this problem with the parchment paper as well. I think it may come down to the brand of the parchment paper, I have had some work better than others. In the future, I would either use a silicon baking mat or just spray the pan with non-stick spray and ditch the parchment paper. Hope that helps!! 🙂
Jackie says
How much yeast? I know it says a package but how many teaspoons of yeast is that?
Karli Bitner says
Hi Jackie- I packet of yeast is the same as 2 1/4 tsp.
kristi barberick says
Does anyone know if you can make the dough a day ahead of time and then boil and bake the next day
Karli Bitner says
Hi Kristi- I haven’t tried that myself, you should be fine as long as you allow the dough to come up to room temperature before rolling and shaping the pretzels.
colleen says
If I want to make cinnamon sugar pretzels, should I add it before or after baking?
Karli Bitner says
Hi Colleen- I would brush some butter on the baked pretzels and then shake cinnamon and sugar onto the pretzels. I hope you enjoy!
Ashley says
My dough is sticking to sides of bowl. Help
Karli Bitner says
Hi Ashely- if your dough is sticking to the sides of the bowl, you can add more flour, a tbsp at a time.
Kale says
My new fav soft pretzel recipe!!!!
Karli Bitner says
I’m so glad!! Thanks for the stars!
Kerri C says
Can I use Rapid Rise fast-acting yeast?
Karli Bitner says
Sure!! I’ve done’ that a time or two. Just watch it while it is rising!
V. Davis says
I made these homemade pretzels tonight for my family and they were delicious. They are all gone! I have one question. I had to bake the pretzels for 13 minutes instead of 10 minutes. They looked a little under baked at 10 minutes so I added a little more time. Do I need to boil them longer?
Karli Bitner says
Hi there! No need to boil them longer, having to cook them for a few extra minutes is just the difference between ovens. No need to change anything!
Michelle says
The recipe says a tbsp of sugar but I dont see it in the recipe. Am I missing it??
Karli Bitner says
Hi Michelle- it is in step 1, it helps to get the yeast alive and kicking!
Taylor says
can you post a video of the process? My dough was so sticky to the touch. It didn’t stick to the bowl initially, but once it sat in there it got super sticky. After letting it rise in the Instant Pot, it was even stickier. I couldn’t roll it into a rope without using lots of flour. Then, once I put it in the soda bath, it turned to gush and lost it’s shape once I tried to remove it. PLEASE HELP!
Karli Bitner says
Hi Taylor, there is actually a video in the post right above the recipe card. It sounds like possibly not enough flour was added. Are you sure that was measured correctly? Another factor that may have been an issue is humidity in the climate where you live. If you live in a very humid place, that may cause you the need to add extra flour. Hopefully this helps!
Pam says
Made these today, delicious but they stuck to the parchment, next time I’ll spray the parchment!
Karli Bitner says
Hi Pam, I have gathered that some brands of parchment paper leads to sticking, which is so strange because parchment paper shouldn’t stick to anything!! Glad that you still enjoyed the recipe. 🙂
Elizabeth Labrecque says
Came out amazing. they were very easy to make. My husband even helped me.
Karli Bitner says
I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe, Elizabeth! Thanks for taking the time to leave some stars and a comment. 🙂