If your family loves the warm, buttery pretzels from Auntie Anne’s, you’re going to love this easy homemade soft pretzel recipe. These pretzels are soft on the inside, golden on the outside, and have that classic salty flavor everyone craves.
The best part? You can make them at home with simple ingredients—and they taste just like the real thing!
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft, chewy, and golden brown
- Easy to make with pantry staples
- Perfect for snacks, parties, or game day
- Can be made into pretzels or pretzel bites
- Family-friendly and fun to make
🛒 Recommended Kitchen Tools
- Stand Mixer
- Baking Sheets
- Parchment Paper
- Mixing Bowls
- Pastry Brush (for egg wash)
- Slotted Spoon (for water bath)
🧾 Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- ¼ cup oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- Baking soda (for water bath)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- Coarse sea salt
🥨 How to Make Soft Pretzels
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
In a mixing bowl, whisk together:
- Warm water
- Yeast
- Brown sugar
Let sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
🛒 Helpful Tool
A good mixing bowl makes prep easier.
These bowls are amazing!
Step 2: Make the Dough
Add:
- Oil
- Salt
- Flour
Mix with a dough hook for about 5 minutes until smooth.
🛒 Recommended Tool
A stand mixer saves time and effort when kneading dough.
I love my Kitchen Aid!
Step 3: Let the Dough Rise
- Place dough in a greased bowl
- Cover and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour
🛒 Helpful Item
Covering dough properly helps it rise evenly.
Check out these awesome bowl covers.
Step 4: Shape the Pretzels
- Divide dough into sections
- Roll into ropes and twist into pretzels
- Or cut into pieces for pretzel bites
Step 5: Baking Soda Water Bath
- Heat water and add about ¼ cup baking soda
- Dip each pretzel briefly
🛒 Helpful Tool
A slotted spoon makes dipping and removing pretzels easier.
Step 6: Bake the Pretzels
- Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet
- Brush with egg wash
- Sprinkle with coarse sea salt
Bake at 450°F for about 10 minutes, until golden brown.
🧈 Serving Idea
- Warm with melted butter
- Cheese dip
- Mustard or honey mustard
- Cinnamon sugar pretzel bites
💡 Tips for Perfect Pretzels
✔ Don’t skip the baking soda bath
✔ Bake until deep golden brown
✔ Use coarse salt for best flavor
✔ Serve fresh for best texture
🛒 Bonus Snack Tools
