Ultimate Soft Pretzels Made Easy with Bread Machine
Indulge in the delightful goodness of homemade soft pretzels with this simple and convenient recipe utilizing a bread machine. Perfect for game days or family gatherings, these pretzels are fluffy on the inside and have a beautiful golden-brown crust on the outside. With a light sprinkle of kosher salt, they offer a fantastic balance of flavors and textures. Share them warm or let them cool to enjoy as a snack on the go. Experience the joy of freshly baked pretzels without the fuss, as this recipe makes it achievable for everyone – from beginners to seasoned bakers!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bread machine yeast
2 1/2 teaspoons (Ensure yeast is fresh for optimal rise.)
Salt
1/8 teaspoon (Use salt for enhancing flavor.)
Kosher salt
to taste (Sprinkle on pretzels before baking.)
Sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons (Add to enhance sweetness and yeast performance.)
Water
1 cup (Use warm water for activating yeast.)
All-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups (Sift to aerate for a lighter texture.)
Whole wheat flour
1/2 cup (Add for nutritional value and flavor.)
Vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (Use grapeseed or any preferred oil.)
Instructions
1
In your bread machine, add the following ingredients in this order: water, vegetable oil, sugar, salt, bread machine yeast, all-purpose flour, and whole wheat flour. Select the dough cycle and start.
2
Once the dough cycle is finished, remove the dough from the bread machine and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
3
In a large pot, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil and add 1/4 cup of baking soda to create a lye solution that helps develop the pretzel crust.
4
Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece by hand into a long rope, about the thickness of a cigar.
5
Shape each rope into a pretzel by forming a U shape, twisting the ends, and bringing them down to meet the base of the U. Pinch to seal.
6
Once the pretzels are shaped, carefully place them in the boiling water for about 1 minute on each side. This will help them puff up.
7
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the boiled pretzels to a pizza screen or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8
Sprinkle kosher salt on top of each pretzel to taste, and bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until they're dark brown and beautiful.
9
Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your warm, homemade soft pretzels!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of yeast is used for these soft pretzels?
The recipe calls for 2 1/2 teaspoons of bread machine yeast. Ensure the yeast is fresh for an optimal rise.
What flours are needed for this recipe?
You will need 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour.
Why is whole wheat flour used?
Whole wheat flour is added to provide extra nutritional value and a deeper flavor to the pretzels.
How many pretzels does this recipe yield?
The dough should be divided into 6 equal pieces to make 6 large soft pretzels.
What setting should I use on my bread machine?
You should select the dough cycle on your bread machine.
In what order should I add ingredients to the bread machine?
Add ingredients in this order: water, vegetable oil, sugar, salt, yeast, all-purpose flour, and finally whole wheat flour.
What is the purpose of boiling the pretzels?
Boiling the pretzels in a baking soda solution helps them puff up and develop their characteristic golden-brown crust.
How much baking soda is used in the boiling water?
Add 1/4 cup of baking soda to 2 quarts of boiling water to create the lye-like solution.
How long should each pretzel be boiled?
Each pretzel should be placed in the boiling water for about 1 minute per side.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 450°F (232°C).
How long do the pretzels need to bake?
Bake the pretzels for about 15 minutes or until they reach a beautiful dark brown color.
What should I sprinkle on top of the pretzels?
Sprinkle kosher salt on top of each pretzel to taste before putting them in the oven.
Can I use a different type of oil?
Yes, you can use vegetable oil, grapeseed oil, or any other preferred neutral-flavored oil.
How thick should the dough ropes be?
Roll each piece of dough by hand into a long rope about the thickness of a cigar.
How do I shape the dough into a pretzel?
Form a U shape with the rope, twist the ends together, and bring them down to meet the base of the U, pinching to seal.
What equipment do I need to bake the pretzels on?
You can use a pizza screen or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Why is sugar included in the dough?
Sugar is used to enhance the sweetness and to help improve the performance of the yeast.
Is it necessary to sift the flour?
Sifting the all-purpose flour is recommended to aerate it, which results in a lighter texture for the pretzels.
What temperature should the water be for the dough?
The water should be warm to help activate the yeast effectively.
What should I use to remove the pretzels from the boiling water?
Use a slotted spoon to carefully transfer the boiled pretzels to your baking surface.
Are these pretzels suitable for beginners?
Yes, this recipe is designed to be achievable for everyone, from beginners to seasoned bakers.
Can these pretzels be served cold?
They are best enjoyed warm, but they can also be allowed to cool and enjoyed as a snack on the go.
Is this a low cholesterol recipe?
Based on the tags, this recipe is considered a low cholesterol option.
What is the texture of these pretzels?
These pretzels are fluffy on the inside with a beautiful golden-brown crust on the outside.
Can I make these for a party?
Absolutely, they are perfect for game days, family gatherings, or as homemade snacks.
How much salt goes into the dough?
The dough itself contains 1/8 teaspoon of salt to enhance the overall flavor.
How much oil is needed?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
What do I do after the dough cycle finishes?
Remove the dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface before preheating the oven and preparing the boiling water.
What color should the finished pretzels be?
They should be baked until they are dark brown.
How much water is used in the dough?
The dough requires exactly 1 cup of warm water.