Description
Enjoy warm, soft, and buttery soft pretzels and pretzel bites with a golden crust and tender inside. Perfectly balanced for gatherings, game days, or anytime you crave a delicious homemade snack with customizable flavors from savory to sweet.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
Baking Bath
- 10 cups water
- 2/3 cup baking soda
Finishing
- Coarse sea salt or pretzel salt, for sprinkling
- 4 tablespoons plant-based butter, melted (for brushing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine warm water, active dry yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy. Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing until a slightly sticky dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape Your Pretzels and Bites: Punch down the risen dough and divide into equal portions. Roll each into long ropes and shape into traditional pretzels or cut into small pieces for pretzel bites.
- Boil in Baking Soda Water: Bring a large pot of water mixed with baking soda to a boil. Carefully drop each shaped pretzel or bite into the boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake to Perfection: Sprinkle the pretzels with coarse salt and bake in a preheated oven at 450°F (230°C) for 12-15 minutes or until deep golden brown. Brush warm pretzels with melted plant-based butter immediately after baking for a glossy finish.
Notes
- Use warm water around 110°F (43°C) to properly activate the yeast.
- Do not skip the baking soda bath to achieve the classic chewy crust and golden color.
- Brush pretzels with melted plant-based butter while warm to enhance moisture and flavor.
- Use coarse sea salt or pretzel salt for the perfect salty crunch.
- Allow the dough to fully rise for a fluffy and tender interior.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel or 2 pretzel bites
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: soft pretzels, pretzel bites, homemade snack, buttery pretzels, plant-based butter, baking soda bath, savory snacks, sweet snacks
