Description
Warm, golden homemade soft pretzels bring German street food magic straight to kitchen counters. Salt-sprinkled twists promise crisp exteriors and pillowy centers that invite delightful noshing and sharing with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F / 43°C)
- 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wash and Topping:
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon water
- Coarse salt
Boiling Solution:
- 2/3 cup baking soda
Instructions
- Awaken the yeast by blending warm water and the powdery granules in a mixing vessel, allowing the mixture to transform and become bubbly over 5 minutes.
- Infuse the activated yeast with salt and sugar, then gradually incorporate flour, kneading the evolving mass until it becomes a silky, elastic dough with a smooth texture.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled container, drape with a clean kitchen towel, and permit it to expand and rise in a warm environment until its volume doubles, approximately one hour.
- Heat the oven to a blazing 450°F (230°C). Segment the puffy dough into eight uniform portions, then meticulously roll each segment into elongated strands and artfully twist them into classic pretzel configurations.
- Prepare a bubbling alkaline solution by bringing water to a vigorous boil and incorporating baking soda. Momentarily immerse each pretzel into this transformative bath, ensuring each piece receives a 30-second submersion before arranging on a parchment-lined baking surface.
- Create a glossy golden finish by delicately painting each pretzel with an egg wash, then generously sprinkle coarse salt across the exterior for a distinctive crunch and flavor enhancement.
- Position the pretzels in the preheated oven, allowing them to bake until they achieve a rich, amber-brown complexion and develop a crisp exterior, typically requiring 12-15 minutes of careful observation.
Notes
- Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F to activate yeast properly without killing it.
- Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating that classic chewy pretzel texture.
- Experiment with alternative flours like whole wheat or gluten-free blends for dietary variations.
- Adding herbs or cheese to the dough can create delicious flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 330 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg