Description
Warm, chewy Homemade Soft Pretzels made with a kid-friendly bag method, simple pantry ingredients, egg wash, and coarse salt. This easy snack bakes golden and tastes best fresh from the oven.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups warm water, about 130°F
- 1 tablespoon rapid rise yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 3/4 to 4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
- Extra flour, for the work surface
- Light oil or parchment paper, for the baking sheet
- 1 gallon zippered plastic bag that seals tightly
Instructions
- Add warm water and yeast to a gallon zippered plastic bag, seal the bag, and gently squish or shake until combined.
- Add sugar and salt, seal again, and shake until mixed.
- Add 2 cups flour to the bag, press out some extra air, seal, and knead through the bag with your fingers.
- Add the remaining flour a little at a time, kneading after each addition, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bag.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 3 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Shape the dough into a ball, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and rest for 10 minutes, or until puffed.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and lightly oil a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a long rope, shape it into a pretzel, and place it on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush each pretzel with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Let the shaped pretzels rest until slightly puffy.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden.
- For deeper browning, broil briefly at the end while watching closely.
Notes
- Use a plastic bag that seals tightly to prevent leaks while kids mix and knead.
- Add flour gradually because dough may need slightly less or more depending on humidity.
- Brush hot baked pretzels with melted butter for a richer finish.
- Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat in a 300°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or warm frozen pretzels at 350°F until heated through.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 420
- Fat: 2
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 1
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 16