Although both are delicious soft pretzels are a completely different snack than hard pretzels.
Unlike a crunchy, hard pretzel, these homemade pretzels have a nice crust on the outside but are soft and chewy on the inside.
Is lye one of the pretzel ingredients?
Lye is a very alkaline and corrosive chemical, often used in bagel and pretzel recipes. A chemical reaction during baking makes the lye safe to eat but it’s still dangerous to work with..
Lye gives pretzels and bagels their distinctive, glossy, brown “crust”.
In order to get a similar look without the dangers of using lye, the recipe calls for baking soda as a substitute for lye in the pretzel dough.
How long will these pretzels stay soft?
Soft pretzels can be kept at room temperature for up to three days. Simply keep them in a paper bag and store it in a cool, dry place. Keep in mind that the pretzels will harden the longer you keep them.
Can you freeze homemade pretzels?
You sure can! Homemade pretzels will keep well in the freezer for up to six months.
Place the pretzels in a single layer on a baking sheet and transfer to the freezer for about an hour. Once they are frozen, you can place them in zip top freezer bags or freezer-safe containers.
Serving Suggestions
Of course, the most popular way to serve soft pretzels is with plain yellow mustard, but there are plenty of other options, including:
- Different varieties of mustard, including honey mustard and spicy mustard
- Nacho cheese
- Flavored cream cheese
- Peanut butter
- Chocolate sauce
How many calories per serving?
This pretzel recipe is 202 calories per serving.
What to Serve with this Recipe?
I recommend the following recipes for party pairings:
Pairs well with:
Easy Soft Pretzel Recipe
This pretzel recipe is so easy, it’s nearly impossible to mess up! Soft pretzels are great for snacking and game day parties.
Ingredients
- 1/4 oz package, active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (you may only need 4 cups)
- 8 cups water
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon cold water
- coarse salt, (optional)
Directions
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1In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the sugar, butter, salt and 2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
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2Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
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3In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups water and baking soda to a boil. Punch dough down; divide into 12 portions. Roll each into a log and then make into a regular pretzel shape. Add to boiling water, a few at a time, for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels.
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4Place on greased baking sheets. Lightly beat egg yolk and cold water; brush over pretzels. Sprinkle with the salt. Bake 425° for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks. Serve warm.
Recipe Notes
Here is a tutorial on how to shape pretzels.
Rosalie Hitney
Can you roll the dough around either mozzarella or cheddar cheese?
Dawn Crawford
Do you know how many carbs are in one
Saemma
Made these tonight and they were very tasty l, chewy and easy to make. Thank you so much for sharing.
Lynn
Does this REALLY need half a cup of baking soda? It seems like an awful lot – a whole packet in fact???
Carol
The baking soda is used as part of the bath before baking. Not in thedough
Maryann
This recipe was my first attempt at making soft pretzels and they were great. I will definitely be making them again.
Rasa Malaysia
That’s awesome, thanks for trying my easy pretzels recipe.
Natalia Dzu
thanks for the recipe.very yummy.I used half milk half water,less salt more sugar and vanilla.love it
Rasa Malaysia
Awesome thanks for trying my pretzels recipe!
Mandy B
This looks amazing! My older son loves soft pretzels, so we usually take him to SAM’S Club to buy him one, haha. We’ve discovered that my younger son has allergies to dairy and egg, so he sadly gets left out – this recipe gives me hope that we can finally introduce him to the deliciousness that is soft pretzels! So, obvious question coming next – any suggestions for what to use instead of the egg wash? I’m sure we can substitute another oil, but I’m not sure how to handle the egg part :-)
Rasa Malaysia
Just brush with some butter. I am sure it will work. :)
Lynn
But he’s allergic to dairy as well!!!!
KKelly
You can buy totally vegan butter
Shari A Lueken
I realize that the Woman who asked for ideas on a substitute wash may not read this scince it has been so long but I’ll say it anyways..
If you forgo the boiling of the pretzel, then you can mix a little bit of baking soda with some warm water in a small container, and directly brush it on to the pretzel prior to baking. It can also give the pretzel a nice crust while leaving the inside soft and chewy.
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks for your comment.
NJ
Hi Will it work if pretzel dough is made via bread machine- bread dough function?
Rasa Malaysia
I think so.
Sara @ Last Night's Feast
Yumm! What a tasty snack
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks Sara. :)