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Soft Pretzel Knots Recipe

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4.3 from 11 reviews

  • Author: Molly
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 pretzel knots

Description

This Soft Pretzel Knots recipe yields golden, chewy, and buttery pretzel knots perfect for a snack or appetizer. The dough is made with yeast, flour, and a touch of sugar and salt, then boiled briefly in a baking soda solution to achieve the signature pretzel crust. Finished with melted butter and coarse salt, these pretzels are baked to a beautiful golden brown.

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 package yeast (about 2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 cup warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Baking Soda Bath

  • 4 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda

Topping

  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together the yeast and warm water. Allow to rest until bubbles begin to form, indicating the yeast is active and ready, about 5 minutes.
  2. Combine dry ingredients and form dough: Add the flour, sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture. Using the dough hook attachment, beat on low speed until a soft dough begins to form. Then increase speed to medium and knead the dough for about five minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Let the dough rise: Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and place it in a warm area. Allow the dough to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  4. Preheat oven: When the dough has doubled, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking.
  5. Shape the pretzel knots: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and roll it into a long log. Cut the log into even strips, then cut each strip in half. Roll each half into a thin strip and twist it into a knot shape. Set each knot aside on the floured surface.
  6. Prepare baking soda bath: Bring the 4 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the baking soda and stir until fully dissolved. Remove from heat to use for dipping.
  7. Dip pretzel knots: Dip each pretzel knot briefly into the hot baking soda water solution, then transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess liquid.
  8. Arrange and top pretzels: Place all the dipped pretzels onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush each pretzel generously with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt.
  9. Bake the pretzels: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the pretzels are a rich golden brown color and cooked through.
  10. Serve: Remove from the oven and optionally brush with extra melted butter. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Be sure the water for activating yeast is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast.
  • Use coarse salt for authentic pretzel flavor and crunch. Regular table salt will dissolve and not provide the same texture.
  • Dipping in the baking soda water bath is key to achieving the classic pretzel crust and color.
  • For a softer pretzel, brush with additional melted butter right after baking.
  • You can freeze shaped knots before baking; bake from frozen adding a few extra minutes to baking time.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://recipeglimpse.com/soft-pretzel-knots-recipe/