Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels
These Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels are soft, chewy, and perfect for any occasion. Simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions make pretzel baking a breeze!
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water (105 to 115°F)
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast or active dry yeast (1 package)
- 2 tablespoons barley malt syrup or dark corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 8 cups water for boiling
- 0.5 cup baking soda
- coarse sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of warm water, 2 teaspoons of instant yeast, and 2 tablespoons of barley malt syrup. Let this mixture sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Mix in the Dry Ingredients
- Add 1 teaspoon of Kosher salt and 2 tablespoons of melted butter to the yeast mixture. Slowly incorporate 4 cups of all-purpose flour, mixing until a dough forms. You may need to use your hands to bring it all together.
Knead the Dough
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
Let the Dough Rise
- Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
Boil the Pretzels
- In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Once boiling, carefully stir in ½ cup of baking soda (it will bubble up!).
- After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 24 inches long, and shape it into a pretzel.
Boil Each Pretzel
- Using a slotted spoon, gently lower each pretzel into the boiling water for about 30 seconds. Remove them with the spoon and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Sprinkle with Sea Salt
- Before baking, sprinkle the pretzels generously with coarse sea salt.
Bake
- Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Enjoy
- Once they’re out of the oven, let them cool slightly before serving. Best enjoyed warm.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Large Pot
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Slotted Spoon
- Kitchen Towel
Notes
- Don’t skip the boiling step; it’s essential for classic pretzel texture.
- Store pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Try variations like garlic parmesan or cinnamon sugar for different flavors.