AUTHENTIC SOFT PRETZELS – STREET STYLE FAVORITES

These soft pretzels capture the exact taste and texture of the ones sold on the streets — golden, crunchy crust with a soft, chewy interior. The secret lies in boiling them briefly in a baking soda bath before baking, which creates that iconic dark crust and signature flavor.

🥣 Ingredients

210 ml warm water
60 g melted butter
2 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
450 g all-purpose flour
7 g dry yeast

For boiling:

2 tbsp baking soda

For brushing & topping:

1 egg yolk
1 tbsp oil
Coarse salt, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or other toppings like parmesan, garlic powder, rosemary

Instructions

Prepare Dough

Mix melted butter with warm water.
Add all ingredients to a bread machine in order or knead by hand.
Let dough rise for at least 1 hour until doubled.

Divide and Shape

Place dough on work surface and roll into a log.
Cut in half, then continue halving until you have 16 equal pieces for uniform pretzels.
Roll each piece into a finger-thick rope, about 20–25 cm long.
Shape each rope into a pretzel: form a U, twist ends 3 times like a lasso, then fold ends down and press to seal.

Second Rise

Let shaped pretzels rest for 10 minutes.

Boil Pretzels

Bring 1 liter of water with baking soda to a boil.
Drop 2–3 pretzels at a time into boiling water.
Boil for 30 seconds, flip with a slotted spatula, boil another 30 seconds.
Remove and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.

Add Toppings and Bake

Brush pretzels with beaten egg yolk mixed with oil.
Sprinkle toppings as desired (coarse salt, poppy seeds, sesame, parmesan, etc.).
Bake in preheated oven at 250°C (482°F) for 25–30 minutes until deep golden brown.

Bonus: Pretzel Dogs

Wrap dough ropes around sausages before baking for delicious homemade pretzel dogs!

💡 Tips

Baking soda bath is crucial for the authentic pretzel crust and flavor.
Watch boiling times carefully — under or over boiling affects texture and color.
Shape pretzels tightly and press ends firmly to prevent unraveling during boiling.
Experiment with toppings for varied flavors.

📝 Final Thoughts

This recipe replicates the beloved street-style soft pretzels with their perfect combination of chewy interior and crisp, flavorful crust. Easy to make at home and endlessly customizable!