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Soft pretzel.
Photo credit Shannon Sarna

The Best Soft Pretzels Ever

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Transform challah dough into the best soft pretzels ever.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 6-8

Ingredients

  • 1 lb prepared challah dough (you can use whatever recipe you prefer)
  • 2 Tbsp baking soda
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • pretzel salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F
  2. Divide challah dough into roughly 2.5-3 oz pieces of dough. Shape each piece of dough into a long rope, approximately 16-20 inches long. (Yes, you want it to be on the longer side in order to shape it.)
  3. Create a semicircle and then twist the ends. Flip the ends up to form a pretzel and pinch the two end pieces onto the circle part of the pretzel. Repeat with all the pieces of dough. (Here is a good shaping tutorial from King Arthur Baking.) 
  4. Bring a large, wide pot of water to a rolling simmer. Add 2 Tbsp baking soda to the pot and a pinch of salt.
  5. Working with 1 or 2 pretzels at a time, gently place the pretzel into the water and allow to sit 30 seconds. Using a spider, remove the pretzel and allow excess water to drip back into the pot.
  6. Place pretzel onto a baking sheet lined with parchment or a silpat baking mat. Repeat process above with remaining dough. 
  7. Brush the pretzels with beaten egg. Top with pretzel salt (or other toppings). 
  8. Bake 18-20 minutes or until golden brown all over.
  9. Serve warm, with mustard or other dipping sauces.
  • Author: Shannon Sarna
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Basics