The Quick & Fluffy Homemade Pretzel Bread Recipe You’ll Love

Let’s dive into a delightful homemade pretzel bread that combines crispy exterior with soft, pillowy insides.

Bakers adore this simple yet impressive creation that brings German bakery magic right to your kitchen.

Crusty edges and a golden-brown surface make this bread stand out from ordinary loaves.

Salt crystals add a perfect punch of flavor that complements the rich, wheaty base.

Kneading the dough becomes a meditative process that connects you with traditional baking techniques.

Warm aromas will drift through your home, making everyone anticipate the first delicious slice.

One bite guarantees you’ll never want store-bought bread again.

Pretzel Bread Adds a Chewy Twist You’ll Keep Coming Back To

• Speedy Satisfaction: Whip up this pretzel bread in just over an hour, perfect for busy home cooks craving a quick culinary adventure.
• Beginner-Friendly Baking: Master this recipe with simple steps and basic ingredients, making it ideal for novice bakers wanting to build confidence in the kitchen.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Transform the recipe into rolls or a full loaf, suitable for game day snacks, dinner parties, or casual family meals, ensuring everyone gets their favorite bread style.
• Gourmet Homemade Magic: Create restaurant-quality pretzel bread at home, saving money and impressing guests with professional-looking results that taste incredibly fresh and delicious.

Homemade Pretzel Bread Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Soft wheat flour provides the essential structure for the pretzel bread, creating a tender and chewy texture.
• Bread Flour: Higher protein content ensures a stronger gluten network and chewier result.

• Active Dry Yeast: Crucial microorganism that helps the dough rise and develop complex flavors, classic bread-making ingredient.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds the yeast and helps with fermentation and golden-brown color.
• Warm Water: Creates the perfect environment for yeast activation, needs to be tepid.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a soft, tender crumb in the bread.
• Egg: Helps with browning and provides a glossy finish to the pretzel bread surface.

• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the bread's sweetness, both in dough and topping.
• Baking Soda: Essential for creating the classic pretzel crust and authentic brown exterior.
• Coarse Salt: Provides a traditional pretzel topping with crunchy texture and extra flavor.

Homemade Pretzel Bread Baking Guide

Step 1: Jumpstart the Yeast Magic

Grab a cozy small bowl and blend warm water with a pinch of sugar.

Sprinkle yeast across the surface and let it chill for 5–10 minutes.

Watch for the magical foamy transformation that signals your yeast is alive and ready to party.

Step 2: Create Dough Wonderland

In a spacious mixing bowl, welcome flour and salt as your dry team.

Pour in the bubbly yeast mixture and melted butter.

Stir and mix until a shaggy dough emerges, ready for its next adventure.

Step 3: Knead with Passion

Transfer your dough to a flour-dusted surface.

Roll up your sleeves and knead for 8–10 minutes.

You’re looking for a smooth, stretchy texture that feels like a soft cloud.

Nestle the dough into a greased bowl, cover it tenderly, and let it rise for an hour until it doubles in size.

Step 4: Shape Your Bread Masterpiece

Gently deflate the risen dough with a loving punch.

Mold it into a round loaf or divide into adorable rolls, whatever speaks to your bread soul.

Step 5: Create the Signature Pretzel Bath

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.

Stir in baking soda until dissolved.

Carefully dunk each bread piece into the bath for 20–30 seconds, giving it that classic pretzel look and taste.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Crank your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Lovingly brush each bread piece with beaten egg and shower with coarse salt.

Slide into the oven and bake until they turn a deep, inviting golden brown – about 20–25 minutes for a loaf or 15 minutes for rolls.

Step 7: Savor the Delicious Reward

Let your bread babies rest and cool for a few moments.

Slice and serve warm with butter, cheese dip, or zesty mustard.

Enjoy the fruits of your baking adventure!

Baking Tips for Soft Homemade Pretzel Bread

• Use water between 100-110°F to ensure the yeast activates without killing it, creating a reliable rising process.
• Work the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, which develops gluten and creates a better bread texture.
• The brief alkaline bath gives pretzels their signature dark, crispy crust and distinctive flavor profile.
• Use coarse sea salt or kosher salt for an authentic pretzel look and crunchy texture that enhances the bread's taste.
• Allow dough to rise in a warm, draft-free area to help it double in size and develop rich flavor complexity.

Store Pretzel Bread the Right Way

• Store leftover pretzel bread in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap tightly to prevent drying out and maintain freshness.
• Seal pretzel bread in freezer-safe bags or wrap in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month without losing quality.
• Warm bread at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispy crust and soft interior. Wrap loosely in foil to prevent over-browning.
• Heat individual slices for 10-15 seconds, then briefly toast in a toaster oven to recrisp the exterior.

What Complements Pretzel Bread Delight

• Savor Complementary Flavors: Pretzel Bread Pairings
• Craft a Hearty Platter: Create a rustic charcuterie board with aged cheddar, spicy salami, whole grain mustard, and cornichons to enhance the pretzel bread's robust texture.
• Match with Bold Beer: Select a German-style amber lager or hoppy IPA that complements the bread's dense, salty profile and cuts through its rich buttery undertones.
• Elevate with Creamy Dips: Whip up a tangy beer cheese spread or herbed goat cheese dip that highlights the pretzel bread's complex flavor and provides a smooth, velvety contrast.
• Combine with Hearty Soups: Pair with a creamy potato leek soup or a bold tomato bisque, using the pretzel bread as a perfect dipping companion that absorbs and amplifies the soup's rich flavors.

Pretzel Bread with Topping Swaps to Try

• Gluten-Free Pretzel Bread: Replace wheat flour with a blend of gluten-free all-purpose flour and almond flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Low-Carb Keto Pretzel Bread: Substitute traditional flour with almond flour or coconut flour, using xanthan gum as a binding agent to maintain texture.
• Whole Wheat Hearty Version: Use whole wheat flour instead of white flour to boost fiber and nutritional content, creating a denser and more rustic bread.
• Vegan Alternative: Swap egg wash with plant-based milk and use olive oil instead of butter, ensuring the recipe remains dairy-free and egg-free while maintaining similar texture and flavor.

FAQs

• Why do I need to use baking soda in the pretzel bread recipe?

The baking soda bath gives the bread its signature dark, shiny crust and classic pretzel flavor by creating an alkaline environment that helps caramelize the exterior during baking.

• Is it necessary to knead the dough for 8-10 minutes?

Yes, kneading develops gluten, which gives the bread its chewy texture and helps it rise properly. A well-kneaded dough will be smooth and elastic.

• Can I make this recipe without a stand mixer?

Absolutely! You can knead the dough by hand on a clean surface. It just requires a bit more arm work but produces the same delicious results.

• How can I tell if my yeast is still active?

If the yeast mixture becomes foamy and bubbly after 5-10 minutes, it’s active and ready to use. If nothing happens, your yeast might be old and you’ll need to replace it.

Homemade Pretzel Bread Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Homemade pretzel bread offers a golden, crusty embrace of German bakery magic, blending salty charm with hearty comfort. Warm slices invite you to savor each rustic bite, promising a delectable journey through traditional baking artistry.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 egg

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon coarse sea salt

Preparation Ingredients:

• 4 cups water
• 1/4 cup baking soda

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Instructions

1. Prepare the yeast catalyst by gently combining tepid liquid with sugar, then sprinkle yeast and allow it to transform into a frothy mixture within 5-10 minutes.
2. Create a foundational dough by blending flour and salt, then integrate the activated yeast and melted butter, stirring until a cohesive mass develops.
3. Transfer the nascent dough onto a flour-dusted workspace and methodically massage and stretch for 8-10 minutes, developing a silky, resilient texture.
4. Nestle the dough into a lubricated vessel, envelop with a cloth, and permit rising in a tranquil environment until volume doubles, approximately one hour.
5. Deflate the risen dough with gentle pressure, then sculpt into a rounded artisan loaf or partition into individual rolls.
6. Establish a transformative alkaline bath by bringing water to a vigorous boil and incorporating baking soda.
7. Submerge each bread formation into the effervescent solution for 20-30 seconds, ensuring complete coating before transferring to a lined baking surface.
8. Warm the culinary workspace to 400°F (200°C), preparing for the baking ritual.
9. Embellish the bread surface with a whisked egg wash and sprinkle with coarse crystalline salt for textural enhancement.
10. Bake until the exterior achieves a rich, mahogany-like complexion – approximately 20-25 minutes for a loaf, or 15 minutes for individual rolls.
11. Allow the freshly baked creation to rest momentarily, then slice and present alongside complementary accompaniments like creamy butter, zesty cheese dip, or tangy mustard.

Notes

• Create a warm environment around 75-80°F for optimal yeast activation and rising, avoiding cold drafts that can slow down the process.
• Experiment with different flour types like whole wheat or gluten-free blends to customize texture and nutritional profile while maintaining similar hydration levels.
• Enhance flavor complexity by adding herbs like rosemary, thyme, or garlic powder directly into the dough for a gourmet twist without changing core technique.
• Handle dough gently during shaping to preserve air pockets, ensuring a light and fluffy interior with signature pretzel bread texture.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 3.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg