Fresh pretzels bear little resemblance to their crunchy, bagged cousins. Fresh pretzels have a glossy, dark exterior dotted with coarse salt and a soft interior with large air pockets. While you might have had fresh pretzels at the mall, you'd be surprised by how playful and versatile they can be when made at home. Serve them as a snack, alongside soup, or stuff them for an appetizer or lunch on the go. You can even make pretzel rolls and serve sandwiches on them.
Traditional Pretzels and Pretzel Rolls
Step 1
Prepare your favorite pretzel dough and allow it to rise. Line your baking sheets with kitchen parchment and brush with oil while the dough rises.
Step 2
Work the dough into long snakes and cross the ends over for traditional pretzels or divide and shape into oblong rolls for pretzel rolls. Allow the dough to rest while you start the baking soda bath for your pretzels.
Step 3
Stir 2/3 cup of baking soda into 10 cups of water and bring to a boil.
Step 4
Dip each pretzel or roll into the boiling baking soda bath for 30 seconds. Remove and place on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 5
Brush each pretzel with beaten egg yolk to achieve a dark, glossy finish and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, kosher salt or your favorite topping. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes at 450 degrees F.
Stuffed Pretzels
Step 1
Allow your prepared pizza dough to rise, then roll it out into a flat rectangle. Sprinkle the center of the rectangle with your desired filling and fold the top third over, then add more cheese or other toppings before folding the bottom third over.
Step 2
Roll the filled dough into a flat rectangle and cut into strips. Pinch the sides of each strip together to contain the filling and create a rounded shape. Form into a traditional pretzel by making a u-shape from the dough and crossing the ends one over the other.
Step 3
Brush with beaten egg yolk and bake for 12 to 15 minutes at 450-degrees F.
Tips and Warnings
- Serve your homemade pretzels with a variety of dips and toppings. Try sugared pretzels with a plate of fruit and caramel dip or salted ones with cheese sauce.
- Skip the boiling water bath for stuffed pretzels to prevent the filling from leaking.
Things You'll Need
- Pretzel dough, from your favorite recipe
- Baking soda
- Large stockpot
- Spatulas or tongs
- Egg yolk, beaten
- Pastry brush
- Salt or cinnamon sugar
- Pretzel fillings, like cheese, cream cheese or pizza toppings
- Baking sheets
- Kitchen parchment
- Oil
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