How To Create Soft Pretzel Dough
When creating the DOUGH for these SOFT PRETZELS the first thing you need to know is HOW TO BLOOM THE YEAST.
How To Bloom Yeast
When using active dry yeast it is important to get the yeast working a little (bloom) before adding it to the flour. To do this you need to add the yeast to warm water, about 105-110 degrees F.
Without getting out your thermometer it means warm bath water. I like to run the tap water until it is too hot to touch and then back it off a bit slowly making it colder until I can comfortably let the warm water flow over my fingers.
Important Tip: If the water is too hot the yeast will NOT bloom and you will need to start all over again. The same is the case if you use water that is too cold. It is easier to start all over at this point then go through the entire recipe and see the dough flat and dense a the end.
For this soft pretzel recipe the warm water, sugar, salt and yeast is combined in a small bowl. Stir it just to make sure the sugar is dissolving and not stuck on the bottom of the bowl – I have done that! Let it sit for about 5 minutes to let it bloom.
How do you know if the yeast has bloomed?
Take a look at your bowl and you will see a top layer of bubbles and foam. I like using a liquid 2-cup glass measuring cup so I can see the definition between the two layers.
Using the dough hook of your mixer combine the yeast mixture, butter and MOST of the flour.
How much flour do I add?
The recipe does have a certain amount of flour but, depending on the season, temperature, humidity a lot of factors the exact amount of flour will vary.
I am a by the book person so I learned by a lot of trial and error- mostly errors- what the dough feels and looks like to know when to stop adding flour.
Recipes do call for a certain amount of flour. You may not use the entire amount or you may use even more then the recipe states.
If you mix together all but one cup of flour then slowly add in the last cup in 1/4 cup increments you will be able to stop when you need to.
How do I know when to stop?
When using a mixer with a hook the bowl will be scraped clean when enough flour has been added to the dough.
The dough will be in one clump around the dough hook while the sides of the bowl will not have a trace of the dough. It will be clean.
The pretzel dough should be soft with a matte finish.
Rise, rise, rise!
Transfer the dough to a bowl that is sprayed with nonstick spray.
I like putting the dough in the bowl then flipping it over. The nonstick spray will leave a little coat on the now top of the dough.
Cover and let rise in a warm location until it has doubled in size, about an hour.
41 Replies to "Homemade Soft Pretzels"
Brittany July 9, 2013 (1:08 pm)
I am in the middle of baking these pretzels! Can’t wait! I saw that the flour is 22oz approx 4 1/2 cups. I’m a little confused because 22oz is equal to 2 1/2 cups. I’m going to double check the amount!
Thanks for the recipe!
Kimberly FiveLittleChefs July 9, 2013 (1:32 pm)
Honestly, I just copied the recipe from the food network site. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/homemade-soft-pretzels-recipe/index.html I used about 4 1/2 cups.
Jennifer Aldridge July 30, 2013 (11:13 am)
Oh wow, this is dangerous. I should not know how to make these at home….very tempting.
cj October 24, 2013 (8:06 pm)
This recipe is so good! Wondering..can I make the dough the night before and put in fridge to “retard” it and then boil and bake them the next night?
Spicy Catholic October 30, 2013 (8:50 pm)
We made these today! Just perfect. Made pretzel bites for the little ones, too, a huge hit. Bringing them for our school snack in a couple of weeks. Thanks for the recipe, so super glad I found your pin& site!
AThornton November 13, 2013 (5:07 pm)
Just made these with my 5 yr old and we love them! I had to substitute a little whole wheat flour (because I was short the white flour) but they turned out great! Waiting to surprise our 9 and 11 yr old when they get home from school! Thanks for the great recipe!
Kimberly FiveLittleChefs November 13, 2013 (9:10 pm)
I hope your 5 year old had fun cooking! I’m glad you liked them.
Cindy January 19, 2014 (1:11 pm)
These are awesome….I am so glad I found your site and recipe. I did a trail run today,next time my
9year old nephew and I will make them.
Kimberly FiveLittleChefs January 20, 2014 (9:07 am)
I’m glad you liked them!
Sharon J. Gilman January 23, 2014 (8:29 pm)
I just made these tonight and they came out delicious! A word to the wise: parchment paper is not supposed to go in the oven lol! For some reason I put the wax paper on the baking sheet before I put the pretzels in the oven. It wasn’t until the smoke alarm went off before I double checked your directions and transferred them onto another baking sheet!
Kimberly FiveLittleChefs January 24, 2014 (11:07 am)
Parchment paper can go in the oven, wax paper will cause a problem. At least you have a story to tell and will laugh each time you make these! That is memorable. We are always laughing and remembering (for the better and worse) our mistakes!
audrey January 26, 2014 (8:35 am)
If I only have a hand mixer will that work?
Kimberly FiveLittleChefs January 28, 2014 (9:24 pm)
Up to a certain point I think it would work then you will probably need to finish it off by hand.
Heather February 13, 2014 (12:55 pm)
I just mixed the whole thing by hand with a wooden spoon. when you can’t stir anymore, you will need to dump it all out and knead by hand, but this is how I make all of my breads and they turn out great! These are in the oven right now! 🙂
Kimberly FiveLittleChefs February 14, 2014 (11:53 am)
Glad you are loving them!
Pa February 19, 2014 (6:02 pm)
I had trouble getting the dough to roll out very long and thin. The longest I could get the snake was about 18″ so my pretzels were pretty thick with nearly no holes. As my husband said, ‘who cares they taste great’ but wondering if you have any advice. The dough seemed pretty dry too.
Kimberly FiveLittleChefs February 20, 2014 (9:48 pm)
It sounds like you needed to add just a bit of water. I don’t measure, I just splash a little water over the dough and knead, knead, knead. If it is still dry I add more. (Add flour if it is ever too wet.) This will also help with getting the dough to roll out a little better. Depending on the weather the recipe will produce a perfect dough or I may need to add just a splash of water. The dough should feel soft and easy to knead.
Ruth Corthell March 27, 2014 (8:39 am)
Okay, you guys are going to hate me, but I substituted the salt with sugar and cinnamon…..yummmy!!!
Kimberly FiveLittleChefs March 27, 2014 (10:01 am)
I like it too. I just haven’t put it up yet!
Heather Smith {Woods of Bell Trees} May 28, 2014 (10:45 pm)
I really, really, really want some of these more than words can explain! I am on a low carb diet and these are looking like the most delicious thing ever! Mmmmm
Brailey June 13, 2014 (3:11 pm)
These just came out of the oven!! Had a blast making them with my sons, 1 & 4 yrs! And my hubby is going to die when he gets home!! He LOVES these things! We will probably have to make more tomorrow!! 🙂 This is definitely going to be deadly in our house! So glad I found this!! Been lookin for a good pretzel recipe, and these are amazing!!!!!
Cami June 17, 2014 (1:41 pm)
When I made these they came out okay, but the taste of the baking soda was overpowering! What could I do to lessen that?
Pam June 28, 2014 (5:56 pm)
Anybody know if you can freeze them after you boil them and then bake later? THESE REALLY ARE FABULOUS!
colleen December 2, 2015 (11:05 am)
I go through all the steps, including the boiling, then I freeze them, and when my kids want one, we microwave for 45 seconds
Shannon June 30, 2014 (8:55 am)
Just to note……..your directions under the pictures state to bake at 350 but the recipe below states 450. First batch I baked at 350 and had to cook longer the second batch I baked at 450 and it cooked in the time stated. They were absolutely delicious though!
Caitlin July 7, 2014 (2:16 pm)
I was wondering…about how many does this recipe yield?
Kimberly FiveLittleChefs July 9, 2014 (7:08 pm)
I get 8 large pretzels.
Leslie January 24, 2015 (1:10 pm)
Just made the dough for these with my 2yr old son, he loves helping me in the kitchen! In the rising process right now, but I can’t wait to try them!
Lori February 18, 2015 (2:41 pm)
I made these today and they are great! The dough is perfect…rolls easily and doesn’t stick. Will definitely be making these again.
Marie March 4, 2015 (8:31 am)
Quick question before I attempt these with my son – your first set of instructions says to bake at 350, and your detailed instructions says to bake at 450. Which is it? Thanks!
Kimberly March 4, 2015 (8:52 am)
It is 450. I just fixed it. Thanks for letting me know. Enjoy making these with your son!
Marie March 5, 2015 (12:53 pm)
Waiting for the dough to rise at this moment – thanks!! ☺️
Kim~madeinaday April 16, 2015 (9:27 am)
These pretzels look great! I’m a beer & pretzel kind of girl and We need a great tried but true recipe! Stopping by to let you know I am featuring them in my P3 Party Post tomorrow! So look for some social media love from me. Thanks so much for pinning them to the board! Pinned to my own recipe board too!
Kim
Kimberly April 16, 2015 (10:26 pm)
Thanks for the feature. We make this recipe over and over again!
Kerryann September 16, 2015 (1:58 pm)
In teaspoons, how much would 2 ounces of butter be?
Kimberly September 18, 2015 (9:40 pm)
1 oz = 6 teaspoons so I would say 2 oz = 12 teaspoons
sharon September 27, 2015 (10:56 am)
Hi! Looks like a great recipe and I would really like to try it.
could you please tell me how many grams or ounces a package of dry yeast would be? (I’m living in Europe)
Thank you very much ,
Sharon
Kimberly September 27, 2015 (6:06 pm)
1 packet of yeast is 7 grams – according to google because I didn’t know either 🙂
sharon October 13, 2015 (8:43 am)
Thank you so much !;)