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As we’re entering week 3 of quarantine life, shelter in place, social distancing…whatever the term is, I have started to realize that I need some new snacks. Anyone with me?
First off, who doesn’t love a soft pretzel? Warm, salty, dunked in cheese or mustard (this is a debate for later). There’s no denying the intoxicating smell of those dang pretzels every time you walk through the mall. It seriously takes every ounce of willpower I have to resist a soft pretzel at the mall or anywhere for that matter, but I have to resist no more.
Behold, a super easy (and fun) recipe for THE PERFECT PRETZEL that you can make at home! These mini soft pretzels are such a fun thing to make with kids (or with your self because that’s what I did..HA). They are also the perfect size- hints the name THE PERFECT PRETZEL. They are the perfect size, perfect amount of Weight Watchers points (2 points per pretzel), the perfect at-home activity, the perfect snack…I could go on and on here.
Since we’re all currently on lock down, I wanted a recipe that would allow just about anyone to whip up a batch of these things without needed to wait until their next grocery store run since those are few and far between.
With just a few ingredients, you can make a batch of these soft pretzels and flavor them up with a number of things, though, I suggest starting with these three flavors:
- Kosher Salt & butter
- Sugar & Cinnamon
- Trader Joe’s Everything Bagel Seasoning
My husband and I had a taste test contest with these after they were done and my favorite turned out to be the Cinnamon Sugar flavored pretzel and his favorite was the Salt & Butter flavor (dunked in queso of course), though we loved all of them. I plan on making another batch soon and then we are going to take our taste testing to another level and see what dips go best with each flavor. Cheese, mustard, almond butter, pimento cheese, hummus… so many options. Hey, we’ve got time on our hands and we’re doing this for the good of the blog, or so we say!
The key to this recipe is the very last step you do just before placing them in the oven. It’s critical to getting that outside “pretzel texture” while the inside is still soft. Dying to know what it is? It’s a baking soda bath!
Each pretzel will be dunked in a bath of baking soda and warm water, which will alkalize the outside and make it brown quicker while you can still keep the inside soft. You really can’t have a proper pretzel without this technique!
If you’re coming here to make these pretzels, but you’re stuck and not sure how to get them in the proper pretzel twist, then hop on over to my Instagram page and check out my story highlight for PRETZELS and you will see a video tutorial there about how to roll them out. If you ever played with play-doh as a kid, then I bet you’ve already got this skill buried somewhere deep inside that your inner child is begging to let out.
With these pretzels, you can serve them warm by themselves or pair them with some dips. A great appetizer that everyone will love at your next dinner party. Bet your guests won’t expect a fresh batch of homemade pretzels to munch on.
Anyways, I hope you guys have fun making these just as much as I did. I made several batches to perfect this recipe for y’all, so enjoy.
For my Weight Watchers followers out there, each pretzel is worth 2 WW points! A great little snack that won’t put you over a ton with points. Talk about a win!
AuthorAshleyDifficultyBeginner
Preheat oven to 425 degrees and then line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, combine the flour, 1 Tbls. baking powder and 1/2 Tbls. salt. Stir the flour mixture together until all the ingredients are sifted together. Then measure out 1/4 of a cup of the flour mixture and set it aside in a separate small bowl for later.
In your flour mixture bowl, add in the greek yogurt and mix together until a dough ball is formed. Don't be afraid to get your CLEAN hands in there to work it all together into a dough.
Next, on a large surface like a big cutting board or a clean countertop, lightly dust it with the flour that you set aside from earlier. Then toss down your dough ball. Then you can divide the dough into 12 even-sized chunks using a pizza cuter or knife.
Set your parchment paper lined baking sheet near your work surface and start rolling out your perfect pretzels! Grab one of the chunks of dough and begin rolling it out into a long rope. To best do this, place the dough on the floured surface and then using two hands roll the dough out by using more pressure on the thumb-side of your hand and gently roll outwards. By applying the pressure towards the middle and pressing it out, you'll be able to easily stretch the dough into a long rope. Then you'll take the two ends, bring them together and twist them together twice and fold the edges down to the bottom to form the perfect pretzel twist. Then place the pretzel on your baking sheet and repeat until all the dough pieces are formed into pretzels.
NOTE: If you're stuck, check out my Instagram page - @cookithealthy - I have a video tutorial showing exactly how to roll out the dough!
Once all the pretzels are formed, it's time to give them a baking soda bath. Grab a large bowl and combine the hot water and baking soda together, stirring until the baking soda is dissolved. Then you will grab each pretzel, give them a dunk in the water making sure to fully submerge them and then set them back on the baking sheet. Repeat for each pretzel.
Last step is to sprinkle each pretzel with a little kosher salt to your desired amount. Then you will place them in the oven for 15 - 16 minutes until they are golden brown!
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees and then line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, combine the flour, 1 Tbls. baking powder and 1/2 Tbls. salt. Stir the flour mixture together until all the ingredients are sifted together. Then measure out 1/4 of a cup of the flour mixture and set it aside in a separate small bowl for later.
In your flour mixture bowl, add in the greek yogurt and mix together until a dough ball is formed. Don't be afraid to get your CLEAN hands in there to work it all together into a dough.
Next, on a large surface like a big cutting board or a clean countertop, lightly dust it with the flour that you set aside from earlier. Then toss down your dough ball. Then you can divide the dough into 12 even-sized chunks using a pizza cuter or knife.
Set your parchment paper lined baking sheet near your work surface and start rolling out your perfect pretzels! Grab one of the chunks of dough and begin rolling it out into a long rope. To best do this, place the dough on the floured surface and then using two hands roll the dough out by using more pressure on the thumb-side of your hand and gently roll outwards. By applying the pressure towards the middle and pressing it out, you'll be able to easily stretch the dough into a long rope. Then you'll take the two ends, bring them together and twist them together twice and fold the edges down to the bottom to form the perfect pretzel twist. Then place the pretzel on your baking sheet and repeat until all the dough pieces are formed into pretzels.
NOTE: If you're stuck, check out my Instagram page - @cookithealthy - I have a video tutorial showing exactly how to roll out the dough!
Once all the pretzels are formed, it's time to give them a baking soda bath. Grab a large bowl and combine the hot water and baking soda together, stirring until the baking soda is dissolved. Then you will grab each pretzel, give them a dunk in the water making sure to fully submerge them and then set them back on the baking sheet. Repeat for each pretzel.
Last step is to sprinkle each pretzel with a little kosher salt to your desired amount. Then you will place them in the oven for 15 - 16 minutes until they are golden brown!