Homemade Soft Pretzels

This page may contain affiliate links. View our disclosure policy for details.

Homemade soft pretzels are a fun and easy homemade snack. With a few simple pantry staples, you’ll have your own soft & delicious pretzels made easily at home!

These are our favorite pretzel recipe to make for our little Octoberfest celebration or just to enjoy as a treat on a Friday evening.

homemade pretzels on a white platter.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

  • KID FRIENDLY – We love this pretzel recipe for a family evening snack on the weekend or as part of our Octoberfest celebration!
  • EASY – This simple pretzel dough is a snap to whip up & is a great recipe for beginners!
  • COMFORTING – What better comfort food is there than a deliciously soft and warm pretzel on a cozy fall day? Pair with your favorite cheese sauce or marinara for the ultimate scrumptious treat!
closeup image of homemade soft pretzels.

Ingredients

So many soft pretzel recipes rely on canned dough but these homemade soft pretzels use just a few very basic ingredients.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • active dry yeast
  • warm water
  • granulated sugar
  • olive oil
  • honey
  • sea salt
  • all-purpose flour
  • baking soda
ingredients for the homemade soft pretzels in small bowls.

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast, water, and sugar. Give the ingredients a quick stir and cover the bowl with a towel for 5 minutes.

After 5 minutes, stir in the olive oil and honey with a wooden spoon.

glass bowl with foamy yeast.
glass bowl with foamy yeast.
Olive oil added to the yeast mixture.

Add the flour and half of the sea salt. Mix the ingredients until a shaggy dough begins to form and the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 2-3 minutes. After kneading the dough, return it to the mixing bowl and cover with a towel. Allow the dough to rest for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.  

flour added to the bowl of yeast mixture.
lightly mixed flour dough mixture in a glass bowl.
homemade soft pretzels dough bowl in a glass bowl.

Once the dough has risen, divide it into 16 equal sized pieces and roll them out into strings about 6-8 inches in length. Fold the strings over each other to form a pretzel shape.

Dissolve the baking soda in 2 cups of water and dip each pretzel in the mixture.

pretzels formed and shaped on countertop.
homemade pretzels shapped and formed on a sheet pan.
finished soft pretzels finished on a baking sheet.

Place the pretzels on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the remaining salt. Bake for 8 minutes in preheated oven until golden brown and baked through.

Serve and enjoy!

FAQ (frequently asked questions)

My dough seems dry, what can I do?

If your dough seems dry, you can add more water a tablespoon at a time. Depending on your location and elevation, you may need more or less water.

Can I make these pretzels ahead?

Yes, you can make them ahead and store your leftover pretzels in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 5 days.

want more recipes?

Check out the recipe index where you can discover more homemade recipes from my homestead!

baked fresh soft homemade pretzels on a white countertop.

Homemade Soft Pretzel Recipe

This perfectly soft and slightly chewy pretzel recipe is sure to be a favorite. These soft pretzels are oven baked and require little preparation or equipment.
Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 23 minutes
Serving Size 8

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the yeast, water, and sugar. Give the ingredients a quick stir and cover the bowl with a towel for 5 minutes.
  • After 5 minutes, stir in the olive oil and honey with a wooden spoon.
  • Add the flour and half of the sea salt. Mix the ingredients until a shaggy dough begins to form and the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl.
  • Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 2-3 minutes. After kneading the dough, return it to the mixing bowl and cover with a towel. Allow the dough to rest for about an hour, or until it has doubled in size.  
  • Preheat the oven to 450℉. Once the dough has risen, divide it into 16 equal sized pieces and roll them out into strings about 6-8 inches in length. Fold the strings over each other to form a pretzel shape.
  • Dissolve the baking soda in 2 cups of water and dip each pretzel in the mixture. Place the pretzels on a baking sheet and sprinkle with the remaining salt. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
  • Serve and enjoy alone or with your favorite dipping sauce!

Notes

  • If your dough seems dry, you can add more water a tablespoon at a time. Depending on your location and elevation, you may need more or less water.
  • I like to use a raw honey because it provides the same amount of sweetness as granulated sugar but is much better for you. 
  • Store your leftover pretzels in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 5 days.
  • These pretzels are great reheated in the microwave for about 30 seconds. To keep them soft, wrap them in a damp paper towel before microwaving them.
  • Make sure that your yeast is foamy after it sits for 5 minutes. If it is not foamy, you’re yeast most likely died and you will need to start over.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating