Description
This Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels recipe will guide you through creating deliciously soft, golden pretzels perfect for any snack time. The dough is crafted to be tender with a delightful chewy texture, boiled in a baking soda bath for that signature pretzel flavor, and baked to a perfect dark golden brown. Paired with a creamy salsa verde cheese sauce for dipping, these pretzels offer a savory twist that makes them irresistible.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 package active dry yeast (or 2 ¼ teaspoons)
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup melted butter
Baking and Boiling Solution
- 10 cups water
- 2/3 cups baking soda
- Non-stick cooking spray
- Pretzel Salt
- 1 large egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Salsa Verde Cheese Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1 – 4 oz packet Velveeta cheese sauce
- 1/3 cup Salsa Verde
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Combine warm water, sugar, and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Sprinkle active dry yeast on top and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add all-purpose flour and melted butter, using the dough hook on low speed until combined. Increase to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the bowl, about 4–5 minutes. Transfer dough to a clean, oiled bowl, turning once to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 50–55 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line two half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Boil Baking Soda Solution: In an 8-quart saucepan, bring 10 cups of water and 2/3 cup baking soda to a rolling boil. This solution will be used to briefly boil the pretzels before baking, which gives them their classic crust and flavor.
- Shape the Pretzels: On a lightly oiled surface, turn out the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 24-inch rope. Shape each rope into a U, cross the ends over each other twice, and press down the ends onto the bottom curve to form the traditional pretzel shape. Place shaped pretzels on the prepared pans.
- Boil the Pretzels: Carefully place pretzels one at a time into the boiling baking soda water for 30 seconds each. Remove with a large flat spatula and return to the parchment-lined pans.
- Apply Egg Wash and Add Salt: Brush each pretzel with the egg yolk and water mixture, then sprinkle generously with pretzel salt to enhance flavor and texture.
- Bake the Pretzels: Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until they develop a deep dark golden brown color. Once baked, transfer to a cooling rack and let them rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. If serving immediately, brush with melted butter for extra richness.
- Prepare Salsa Verde Cheese Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour to form a smooth paste (roux). Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Add Cheese and Salsa Verde: Stir in grated cheddar cheese and the Velveeta cheese sauce packet until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Mix in 1/3 cup salsa verde and add salt to taste. Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to combine all flavors well.
- Serve: Serve the warm soft pretzels with the salsa verde cheese sauce for dipping to enjoy an irresistibly creamy and tangy complement.
Notes
- Make sure the water used for activating yeast is warm, about 100–110°F, to properly activate the yeast without killing it.
- Boiling pretzels in baking soda water helps develop the distinctive chewy crust and deep flavor characteristic of soft pretzels.
- Use non-stick spray or oil the work surface to prevent sticking when shaping the dough ropes.
- If you prefer a softer crust, brush the pretzels with melted butter immediately after baking.
- Store any leftover pretzels in an airtight container; reheat in the oven for best texture.
- The salsa verde cheese sauce can be stored in the fridge and gently reheated while stirring to maintain smoothness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
