Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (2024)

I munching on an extra soft homemade pretzel and sipping Chia tea while typing this post... and kitchen is filled with pretzel-shop aroma... Aroma like I stepped into a fair and already knew - there is a soft pretzel shop close-by.. baking a fresh batch of pretzels! yumm!

Sharing today a soft pretzel recipe which will bring you taste of the fair at home! Extra soft texture with crusty salty crust yet negligible sugar (my fav). This pretzel recipe uses easy-to-find pantry ingredients and still yields pretzels which are much more lighter than you buy from pretzel shop.

So, serve these for next family-get-together, or to watch Sunday games or just because you are pretzel-fans like myself. :) Whatever the reason may be, bake a double batch since these disappear faster than you expect.

I'm a sucker for good soft pretzel! That crusty crust, soft texture, and perfect amount of salt in every bite.... A good baked soft pretzel is "the treat" for savory snack-freak like myself. For the record, I have to eat a soft pretzel whenever we are in a fair or just happen to visit mall. Since it is not possible to be in mall/fair every now and then..... I figured a best way to satisfy my pretzel-cravings,.... baking soome pretzels at home! :)

I have been making pretzels from past few years now.... Last time I had chance to click pictures, they did not look so good. Those days I had major camera-angel issues! Sometimes I wonder, how on this earth I saw a 75 degree angle picture fit to share on blog! :) I have a plenty of those... look at my old recipes.

But by the time, that pretzel picture got chance to make to blog, I seriously started thinking about my picture quality. I discarded the old batch of pretzel photos.

No Special Ingredients like Caustic Soda (what!?!?) Needed:

It's homemade pretzel and does not need out-of-ordinary stuff to make it look pretty (at least). For this reason, I name my homemade pretzels - humble poor man's pretzels, pantry-friendly, safe for kids and safe for everyone. Just so you know, most pretzel recipes call for Caustic Soda to get deep brown crust and Pretzel salt for extra-kick briney salty bite.

I'm not at all sold for caustic soda. I don't buy anything that will not bring value to my kitchen and is not so safe. The simplest replacement of caustic soda is "plain baking soda". It does not create as super-dark brown crust like hard pretzels but it still does a pretty good job (i hope pictures speak for themselves).

For salt, I simply use flaky kosher salt. I live an apartment and don't have huge kitchen cabinet to hold on to a box of salt just for pretzels. Kosher salt works fine for me.

PS: you can also use egg wash for extra glossy crust yet I wanted to keep these pretzels egg-less.

I'm sharing a plain pretzel version here but you can also add some toppings like Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese is my all time favorite. Oh, other one is pretzel pizza! :) (will share recipe sometime)

PS: I missed you all yesterday. Happy to be back. I hope you enjoying beginning of a new week. Wish you a great day ahead.:)

Enjoy! -Savita

Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient which makes a pretzel taste like a pretzel? ›

Lye. The dough is simple; take a basic yeast-risen dough that can be readied in an afternoon. But the trick to great pretzels is dipping the pretzels in a liquid wash before baking — and not just any wash, but a combination of water and lye. That's what gives pretzels their terrific color, texture and flavor.

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What's the difference between a pretzel and a soft pretzel? ›

Soft pretzels can usually be baked in 15 minutes; hard pretzels, meanwhile, must be baked for up to an hour. The longer baking time further dries out the pretzel. And, as we have discussed, the lack of moisture is what gives the hard pretzel its brittle texture.

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Why do you boil soft pretzels before baking? ›

This bath essentially gelatinizes the outside of the pretzel, preventing it from fully “springing” during baking (as bread does) and giving pretzels their signature chewy crust. It also gives them their unique and indelible “pretzel” flavor.

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What gives soft pretzels their flavor? ›

What Gives Pretzels Their Pretzel Flavor? You have baking soda to thank for that distinct pretzel flavor. Baking soda is highly alkaline and imparts that subtly metallic taste onto the dough before your pretzels go into the oven. Some recipes call for a lye bath, which does the same thing.

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What is the secret ingredient in pretzels? ›

Traditional Bavarian pretzels are dipped in a lye solution before they are baked. Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide, is essentially the same stuff that's used to make soap and clean drains. It can even dissolve glass.

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What is the secret solution for Auntie Anne's pretzels? ›

While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath with 2 cups warm water and 2 tbsp baking soda. Be certain to stir often. After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into a long rope (about 1/2 inch or less thick) and shape. Dip pretzel in soda solution and place on greased baking sheet.

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What is the Flavouring on pretzels? ›

Salt is the most common seasoning, or topping, for pretzels, complementing the washing soda or lye treatment that gives pretzels their traditional skin and flavor acquired through the Maillard reaction. Other toppings are mustard, cheeses, sugar, chocolate, cinnamon, sweet glazing, seeds, and nuts.

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What is the chemical dip on pretzels? ›

The dipping stage normally takes just 10-15 seconds of exposure to the hot alkaline solution which is about 200°F. Traditionally the solution was a mixture of sodium hydroxide and water. Today, most production involves the use of sodium carbonate and bicarbonate solutions which are not as caustic as NaOH.

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What makes pretzels smell like pretzels? ›

After removing other scent molecules individually, the researchers found two molecules that are essential to the unique pretzel scent: 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, which has a roasted smell, and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone, which has a caramel smell.

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What is pretzel flavor? ›

Tasting Notes:

The typical pretzel has a pleasant cracker-like flavor, a crisp, brittle texture and a brown glossy surface color. Salt crystals are often sprinkled on its surface to make them taste more appealing. Pretzels have a moisture content of anywhere from 2-4% and therefore have a very long shelf life.

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Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient which makes a pretzel taste like a pretzel? ›

References