This is Pennsylvania Dutch Country. And if we know one thing, it’s pretzels.
So if you’ve been wanting to try your hand at baking your own traditional soft pretzels at home, you’re in luck. DIY soft pretzels—the kind with a beautiful golden brown exterior and soft fluffy inside—are simple. Even our favorite German variety, renowned for its strong savory flavor and unique appearance.
To learn more about soft pretzels—as well as how to make your own—keep reading. And if you’re short on ingredients, swing by The Markets at Shrewsbury Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturdays to restock your pantry at Trailside Bulk Foods (check our holiday hours for more info).
On with The Markets’ Easy Homemade Soft Pretzel Recipe!
What Makes German Soft Pretzels So Delicious?
Traditional soft pretzels—or Laugenbrezeln, as the PA Dutch call them—are soft, baked pretzels renowned for their dark, shiny, and chewy crust covering a soft, fluffy interior.
The distinctive texture and savory flavor of German pretzels result from a pre-bake soak. While a lye solution is traditionally used to poach the dough after shaping, you can achieve a similar result with baking soda—saving you the additional precautions of working with a more caustic mixture.
Here’s everything you’ll need to make incredible soft pretzels in your own oven.
Pretzel Dough Ingredients:
- 500 grams (4 cups) all-purpose flour
- 12 grams (1 tablespoon) cane sugar
- 10 grams (2 teaspoons) fine sea salt
- 2 grams (½ teaspoon) active dry yeast
- 350 grams (12 ounces) warm water (105 ℉)
- 57 grams (5 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
Poaching Mix Ingredients:
- 8 cups water
- ¼ cup baking soda
Toppings:
- Pretzel salt (or coarse salt—see below for substitutions)
- Melted butter (optional)
Equipment:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Oven
- Pot
Instructions:
- Combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a mixing bowl. Slowly add warm water and mix briefly.
- Add melted butter and mix until dough forms a loose ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. If using a mixer with a dough hook, it should take roughly four minutes. Otherwise, by hand is great!
- When mixture forms a dough ball, transfer dough to an oiled bowl and cover with a clean, damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 1 hour—expanding to a little more than double its original size.
- While your dough rises, position a rack in the middle of your oven and place a baking sheet on top. Preheat oven to 450 ℉ for 45–60 minutes.
- After dough has risen, turn it onto a floured work area and cut into 6 equal portions (about 145g for each pretzel).
- Shape dough sections into pretzels, as follows:
- Roll each section of dough into a slender log about 14 inches in length
- Shape dough into a “U” shape with the ends of the dough pointed up
- Overlap the ends, leaving 2-inch “tails” on either side of the crossed section
- Flip the overlapped ends down to cross over the bottom of your “U” shape
- If pretzel circles are too tight, widen the holes with your fingers to form a more classic pretzel shape!
- Prepare your poaching mixture by boiling your water and baking soda solution. Once baking soda is dissolved, turn off heat.
- Drop pretzels into your poaching solution for 10–25 seconds. Flip and repeat on opposite side. Remove pretzels with a slotted spoon and place them onto parchment paper before placing on sheet and baking.
- Bake for 10–13 minutes, flipping pretzels halfway through or when the tops turn golden brown. After baking, cool pretzels on a wire rack, brush with melted butter, and enjoy!
How Long Can I Store Homemade Soft Pretzels?
While a hot traditional soft pretzel is certainly delicious, you might not be ready to eat all six of these golden-brown delicacies in one sitting. If that’s the case, you’re in luck.
Soft pretzels store well and can be enjoyed days to weeks after baking them!
- Store wrapped leftovers for up to 3 days at room temperature
- Freeze soft pretzels for up to 1 month—thawing at room temperature when ready to eat
What if I Don’t Have Pretzel Salt?
Pretzel salt is a specially manufactured salt designed to prevent salt crystals from dissolving too quickly on the warm, moist pretzel crust while baking. These large, rectangular salt crystals also provide a pleasant visual contrast against a golden brown exterior.
While pretzel salt gives you the best results, the following substitutes are equally delicious:
- Kosher Salt: The closest match for size and texture. Look for coarse-grained brands like Diamond Crystal or Morton.
- Sea Salt Flakes: Sea salt flakes provide a nice visible crunch, but are thinner than true pretzel salts. They are best used if you plan to eat your pretzels right away.
- Coarse Pink Salt: Himalayan pink salt crystals are large enough to hold their shape during baking, but won’t provide the traditional white-on-brown appearance.
How Else Can I Season My Pretzels?
Soft pretzels taste amazing with more than just salt!
Here are a few more creative flavors to try:
- Mustard Dips: Particularly the German and PA Dutch style mustards available from Sara’s Jar Goods
- Everything Seasoning: Mix sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt (all available from Trailside Bulk Foods)
- Garlic Parmesan: Combine grated parmesan cheese with garlic powder or Italian herbs before or right after baking (to melt cheese)
- Cinnamon Sugar: Brush hot baked pretzels with melted butter and then roll them in a mixture of ground cinnamon and granulated sugar for a sweet treat
- Cheese Dips: Warm beer cheese sauce or spicy nacho cheese is always a favorite for a savory snack
For even more suggestions, swing by The Markets and speak with the folks at Trailside Bulk Foods, Sara’s Jar Goods, and, of course, our very own Old Fashioned Pretzel Haus!
We can’t wait to see you and hear how your homemade pretzels turned out.
Since 2001, The Markets at Shrewsbury has been considered one of the best Amish farmers' markets in Pennsylvania. Our traditional Amish marketplace features 18 unique vendors serving classic Pennsylvania Dutch fare, handmade crafts, clothing, and home goods. We look forward to serving you with some regional treats, farm-fresh meats and produce, and friendly conversation!
