Soft Pretzel Knots Recipe
Delicious, Soft Pretzel Knots that are perfect for any day of the week. They are perfect for dipping into your favorite cheese dip, mustard or just eating them right out of the oven.
You can also dip it into your favorite caramel sauce or maybe even chocolate, the options are endless!
Soft pretzel knots are such a fun treat because you don’t get them very often. Whether you enjoy a soft pretzel at your favorite sporting event or when the carnival comes to town, it’s something that’s usually not eaten on a regular day at home.
While making your own soft pretzels at home may seem like a long complicated process, I’m here to tell you it’s not! This recipe for soft pretzel knots is so delicious, you won’t believe how simple they are to make.
KITCHEN TOOLS YOU MAY NEED
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How to Make Soft Pretzels
The key to creating a chewy soft pretzel at home is dunking each pretzel in a baking soda bath. And while that may seem a little time consuming, the end result is totally worth the extra step!
The first step to making your own pretzels at home is to gather all your ingredients. To make this easy recipe, you’ll need:
- Yeast
- Water
- Flour
- Sugar
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Butter
- Coarse salt
Start by preparing the yeast for your pretzel dough by combing it with warm water. The temperature of the water is important! If it’s too cold, the yeast won’t activate.
But if it’s too hot, you’ll kill the yeast before it has a chance to do its job. Use lukewarm water when activating your yeast.
When the yeast begins to foam, it’s time to add the remaining dough ingredients. Add the flour, sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture and mix the ingredients together using the dough hook attachment on your stand mixer.
Continue beating the dough until it’s well combined and forms a large dough ball. Then, turn up the speed on your mixer to medium and knead the dough for around five minutes.
Cover the bowl with a damp towel and allow the dough to rise until it has doubled in size.
When the dough is ready, preheat your oven and cut the dough into even strips, around six inches in length.
Form the dough into knots and set each knot aside until you have formed the remaining dough.
How to Make a Baking Soda Bath
Each of your pretzel knots will need to be dipped in a baking soda bath before it’s baked. To create this bath, fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil.
Add the baking soda and stir until the baking soda has dissolved.
Remove the pot from the heat before adding the pretzels.
Dip each pretzel in the bath, allowing it to soak for only a few minutes. After soaking, remove the knots to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Then transfer the pretzels to a baking sheet.
Baked Soft Pretzels
Brush each pretzel with butter and coat with coarse salt. Bake the pretzels for 15 to 20 minutes, until they’re golden brown and slightly crispy on the outside. Allow the pretzels to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Soft Pretzel Knots
Makes 24 knots
Prep time: 15 minutes
Rising time: 1 hour
Bake time: 15 minutes
Ingredients For Soft Pretzel Knots
- Yeast
- Water
- Flour
- Sugar
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Butter
- Coarse salt
Instructions For Soft Pretzel Knots
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together the yeast and warm water. Allow to rest until bubbles begin to form.
- Add the flour, sugar, and salt. Beat with the hook attachment on low until soft dough begins to form. Turn up the speed to medium and knead the dough for five minutes.
- Cover the bowl and place in a warm area to rise for one hour.
- When the dough has doubled in size, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Turn the dough out on a floured surface and form into a long log shape. Cut even strips from the dough. Cut each strip in half and roll out into a thin strip. Twist the strip into a knot and set aside.
- When all the knots are formed, bring the four cups of water to a boil. Add the baking soda and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat.
- Dip each pretzel knot into the baking soda water, then transfer it to a paper towel lined plate.
- Move all the dipped pretzels to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and spread melted butter over each knot. Top all the pretzels with coarse salt.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the pretzels are golden brown.
What Can You Dip Soft Pretzel Knots In
You can really dip the soft pretzel knots into anything you like. Below I will put a few of our favorite options.
- Yellow Mustard
- Spicy Mustard
- Honey Mustard
- Cheddar Cheese
- Beer Cheese
- Pizza Sauce
- Cream Cheese
- Caramel
- Icing
How Do You Get Salt To Stick On The Pretzels
Before baking the pretzel bites, you dip them in a baking soda solution. This gives them the “pretzel” taste that commercial pretzels get from lye. After dipping them, place them on a parchment lined baking sheet and sprinkle them with salt immediately.
What Salt Do You Use For Pretzels
You can use the following salts for these Soft Pretzel Knots. Really any salt that you prefer will be fine.
- Coarse Food Grade Salt
- Bagel Salt
- Kosher Salt
- Red Diamond Sea Salt
- Rock Salt
- Coarse Mediterranean Sea Salt
Soft Pretzel Knots – Printables
Soft Pretzel Knots
Ingredients
- 1 package yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together the yeast and warm water. Allow resting until bubbles begin to form.
- Add the flour, sugar, and salt. Beat with the hook attachment on low until a soft dough begins to form. Turn up the speed to medium and knead the dough for five minutes.
- Cover the bowl and place in a warm area to rise for one hour.
- When the dough has doubled in size, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Turn the dough out on a floured surface and form into a long log shape. Cut even strips from the dough. Cut each strip in half and roll out into a thin strip. Twist the strip into a knot and set aside.
- When all the knots are formed, bring the four cups of water to a boil. Add the baking soda and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat.
- Dip each pretzel knot into the baking soda water, then transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate.
- Move all the dipped pretzels to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and spread melted butter over each knot. Top all the pretzels with coarse salt.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the pretzels are golden brown.
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WHAT’S NEXT?
We hope you like this Soft Pretzel knots recipe!
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