Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels

Name: Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 and 1/4 teaspoons (7g) instant or active dry yeast (1 standard packet); 1 Tablespoon brown sugar or granulated sugar; 1 and 1/2 cups (360ml) warm water (around 100°F/38°C); 1 Tablespoon (14g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled; 1 teaspoon salt; 3 and 3/4–4 cups (469–500g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus more as needed; coarse salt, for topping; 1/2 cup (120g) baking soda; 9 cups (2.13L) water

Instructions

Prep:25minCook:15min

This is one of the easiest ways to prepare homemade soft pretzels for beginners, and the results are extra delicious! The dough is a family recipe and only needs to rest for 10 to 30 minutes before shaping. The quick baking soda boil gives the pretzels their traditional flavor, and I do not recommend skipping it. This recipe is also in my New York Times best-selling cookbook, Sally's Baking 101.

Updated at: Thu, 06 Nov 2025 00:01:00 GMT