Description
Crispy German Bavarian Soft Pretzels bring classic street fair comfort right into home kitchens. Salt-sprinkled golden twists deliver authentic flavor that connects eager bakers with traditional European bakery craft, inviting savory indulgence in each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 cups hot water
Leavening and Seasoning:
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Coarse salt (for topping)
Preparation Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- Cheese dip (for serving)
Instructions
- In a stand mixer, dissolve yeast in warm water and allow to foam for 5 minutes until bubbles form visibly.
- Gradually incorporate sugar, salt, and flour using the dough hook, mixing thoroughly. Adjust moisture by adding water if dough appears dry and crumbly.
- Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl, ensuring entire surface is coated. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm space until volume doubles, approximately 1 hour.
- Heat oven to 450°F and prepare two parchment-lined baking sheets.
- Divide dough into 6 equal portions, then roll each piece into long, even ropes about 18 inches long.
- Shape each rope into a traditional pretzel twist by forming a U-shape, crossing ends, and pressing them onto the bottom of the curve.
- Create a baking soda solution by mixing hot water and baking soda in a wide, shallow bowl.
- Carefully dip each pretzel into the solution, ensuring complete coverage, then transfer to prepared baking sheets.
- Sprinkle pretzels generously with coarse salt before baking.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until pretzels achieve a deep golden-brown color and look crispy around the edges.
- Remove from oven and serve immediately while warm, ideally with a complementary cheese or mustard dip.
Notes
- Activate yeast in precisely warm water (110-115°F) to ensure proper fermentation without killing the microorganisms.
- Use bread flour for chewier texture, creating more gluten and improving pretzel’s classic dense structure.
- Try alternative toppings like everything bagel seasoning, cinnamon sugar, or herbs to customize flavor profiles.
- Allow dough to rise in a warm, draft-free environment for optimal volume and soft, pillowy interior texture.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg