German Style Soft Pretzel

Get ready to indulge in the irresistibly chewy and golden perfection of German-Style Soft Pretzels! This classic recipe combines a tender, buttery dough with a signature boiling step in a baking soda bath, creating that quintessential deep-brown crust and distinctive pretzel flavor. Shaped by hand into the traditional twisted design, these pretzels are brushed with a glossy egg wash and topped with coarse kosher salt for an authentic Bavarian finish. Perfectly delicious served warm with mustard or your favorite dipping sauce, these homemade soft pretzels are a fun and rewarding baking project that’s sure to impress. With just 20 minutes of prep and a few simple ingredients, this recipe brings the taste of an authentic German beer garden straight to your kitchen!

Nutriscore Rating: 55/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• 0.67 cup baking soda
• 8 cups water (for boiling)
• 2 tablespoons coarse kosher salt
• 1 unit egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.

Step 2

Add the melted butter, salt, and flour gradually to the yeast mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.

Step 3

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 4

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

Step 5

Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 6

In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water to a boil and carefully stir in the baking soda until dissolved.

Step 7

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a rope about 18-24 inches long, then shape into a pretzel by forming a U-shape, crossing the ends over each other, and pressing them into the base of the U.

Step 8

Carefully lower each pretzel into the boiling baking soda solution for 20-30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and transfer onto the prepared baking sheet.

Step 9

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and 1 tablespoon of water to make an egg wash.

Step 10

Brush each pretzel with the egg wash and sprinkle with coarse kosher salt.

Step 11

Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until deep golden brown.

Step 12

Remove the pretzels from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy them warm with mustard or your favorite dipping sauce!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3023.9 grams (3023.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2075

Total Fat 32.50g	42%
Saturated Fat 16.90g	85%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 247mg	82%
Sodium 54511mg	2370%
Total Carbohydrate 382.20g	139%
Dietary Fiber 14.50g	52%
Total Sugars 14.10g
Protein 55.20g	110%

Vitamin D 18IU	91%
Calcium 95mg	7%
Iron 23mg	128%
Potassium 682mg	15%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 14.3%

Protein: 10.8%

Carbs: 74.9%