Sourdough Pretzels Recipe (2024)

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These sourdough pretzels without yeast are soft, delicious and easy to make – a great way to use up an abundance of sourdough starter!

Sourdough Pretzels Recipe (1)

Pretzels – who doesn’t love them? Even I will admit that they are hard to pass up – when I make them I feel like stuffing my face silly. The smell just intoxicates the house and the paralyzes everyone that walks into the front door.

Having a great pretzel recipe that you can make with your sourdough starter is a must. While you can make pretzels with yeast if you are in a pinch, there isn’t anything quite as satisfying as maintaining your starter (in this case, ours is named “Sid”..).

A starter needs love and attention on a regular basis. It’s almost like having another person to care for in the house (except a starter is unemployed & lives with his or her parents). 😉

Sourdough Pretzels Recipe (2)

Really though ~ a sourdough starter can help you make popovers, beer bread, bagels & english muffins. The discard can be used to make sourdough crackers (which are delicious with homemade cheese).

Which almost leads me to ask – what can’t it be used for?

Sourdough Pretzels

These sourdough pretzels come together pretty quickly and require a much smaller prep window than the typical sourdough bread.

Sourdough Pretzels Recipe (3)

Add the warmed milk, butter, sugar, sourdough starter and flour in your KitchenAid. Use the dough hook and mix just until a soft ball of dough forms.

Turn out onto a lightly floured counter and knead for 2-3 minutes. Then form the dough into a smooth ball of dough and place into a lightly-oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest/rise for 2 hours.

The dough should double in size.

Sourdough Pretzels Recipe (4)

Once the dough has risen, turn out onto a lightly floured counter. Punch the dough down and knead lightly for a brief minute or two.

Then separate the dough into 12 equal pieces.

Sourdough Pretzels Recipe (5)

Roll out each piece into a long strip 26-30″ in length. If you are slow to roll out the pieces, then cover the balls of dough with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out.

Sourdough Pretzels Recipe (6)

Once the dough strips have been rolled out, shape them into a pretzel (YouTube is great for this!) and place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. You will need to use 2-3 cookie sheets to fit all the pretzels nicely.

Once they are all shaped, place the cookie sheets in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. The goal is to allow the pretzels to harden just enough that they can be dunked in the water bath. Though you can bypass the freezer step, it’s quite a challenge to dunk them in the water bath without them coming “undone”.

Sourdough Pretzels Recipe (7)

With the pretzels in the freezer, preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Fill a large gallon stockpot 3/4 of the way with water; bring to a strong simmer. Add 1 tbsp baking soda allow to dissolve.

Remove the pretzels from the freezer; add them to the water (4 at a time), and allow to simmer until they float to the top. Gently remove from their bath and place back on the cookie sheet.

Sourdough Pretzels Recipe (8)

Brush with a beaten egg and sprinkle with your choice of toppings. Bake at 450 degrees F for 14-15 minutes until lightly brown. They will be hard when tapped (but will soften as they cool).

Remove and allow to cool before enjoying.

Sourdough Pretzels Recipe (9)

Enjoy your pretzels with melted cheese or marinara sauce, or simply as-is. Keep them in a large gallon Ziploc bag.

Sourdough Pretzels Recipe (No Yeast)

These sourdough pretzels without yeast are soft, delicious and easy to make - a great way to use up an abundance of sourdough starter!

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword pretzels

Prep Time 2 hours 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes

Servings 6

Author Sheryl

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 C. milk warmed to 110 degrees F
  • 1.5 C. sourdough starter* recently fed
  • 4 C. all-purpose flour

Water Bath

  • 1 Tbsp baking soda
  • 12 C. water

Egg Wash

  • 1 ea. egg beaten
  • 2 tsp sea salt for sprinkling

Instructions

  • Warm the milk (to 110 degrees F); add to mixer with butter, sugar, and sourdough starter.

  • Add the flour and mix well until the dough forms a soft ball.Turn out onto a lightly floured counter and knead for 2-3 minutes. Then form the dough into a smooth ball of dough and place into a lightly-oiled bowl.

  • Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest/rise for 2 hours.

  • Once the dough has risen, turn out onto a lightly floured counter. Punch the dough down and knead lightly for a brief minute or two.Then separate the dough into 12 equal pieces.

  • Roll out each piece into a long strip 26-30" in length. If you are slow to roll out the pieces, then cover the balls of dough with a damp cloth to prevent them from drying out.

  • Once the dough strips have been rolled out, shape them into a pretzel and place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. You will need to use 2-3 cookie sheets.

  • Place the cookie sheets in the freezer for 20-30 minutes. The goal is to allow the pretzels to harden just enough that they can be dunked in the water bath.

  • With the pretzels in the freezer, preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Fill a large gallon stockpot 3/4 of the way with water; bring to a strong simmer. Add 1 tbsp baking soda allow to dissolve.

  • Remove the pretzels from the freezer; add them to the water (4 at a time), and allow to simmer until they float to the top. Gently remove from their bath and place back on the cookie sheet.

  • Brush with a beaten egg and sprinkle with your choice of toppings. Bake at 450 degrees F for 14-15 minutes until lightly brown. They will be hard when tapped (but will soften as they cool).

  • Remove and allow to cool before enjoying.

Notes

  • Water can be substitue for milk in this recipe.
  • Store pretzels in a ziploc bag to keep them fresh. May need to reheat them the next day before enjoying.

Can I use Sourdough Discard?

I haven't tried using discard - but if you want to give it a try, I'd love to know how they turn out for you!

If you make these pretzels, please please rate the recipe a 5 and leave a comment – I’d love to know how they turned out!

Sourdough Pretzels Recipe (11)

Sourdough Pretzels Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between sourdough pretzels and regular pretzels? ›

Sourdough pretzels, unlike other regular pretzels, are made by fermenting flour and water (rather than adding yeast) to create a leaven.

Are sourdough pretzels healthy? ›

They are also a pretty delicious snack (and a good one in moderation actually), so if you eat extra pretzels and don't work off the calories you will gain weight. They are not intrinsically unhealthy though, and just like any food, in the context of body weight the formula is simply calories in calories out.

How long do sourdough pretzels last? ›

Can I Freeze and Store Pretzels? After baking, these pretzels will keep well for a few days stored in a bread box on the counter. Alternatively, once they are completely cool, you can place them in a freezer bag and keep them frozen for months.

Why do you boil pretzel dough before baking? ›

The boiling water + baking soda is important for color and texture of pretzel. Baking soda raises pH, thus creating a basic solution. This help the browning process during baking, which will occur more in basic pH. Thus, producing the desired flavor and brown color of pretzel.

Are Utz sourdough pretzels real sourdough? ›

With just the right amount of salt, these pretzels are made with aged sourdough, individually twisted and perfectly baked for a delicious, crunchy snack.

Do sourdough pretzels raise blood sugar? ›

Irrespective of the variety of pretzels, they have basic simple carbs as ingredients, making diabetics and people with underlying conditions vulnerable to blood sugar rise.

Why is sourdough bread not fattening? ›

Sourdough bread's fiber, potassium, phosphorus, and sodium content all support a heart-healthy diet. The soluble fiber found in sourdough bread binds to dietary cholesterol in the small intestine, helping pass this fat through the system instead of absorbing it.

Who makes the healthiest pretzels? ›

Best: 365 Whole Foods Pretzels

Whole Foods 365 brand offers a wide selection of healthier snacking options, and their pretzels are no exception. Each serving of these pretzels provides 2g of fiber and 3g of protein with very little fat composition and no added sugar.

Which pretzels are the healthiest? ›

Unsalted pretzels are a good option if you're concerned about your sodium intake. Sweet flavors like cinnamon-sugar will probably have a higher added sugar content. When it comes to fillings, meat or cheese are common, which will add protein and fat.

Are sourdough pretzels really sourdough? ›

These are naturally-leavened using sourdough starter and no commercial yeast which makes them even more flavorful than your average pretzel.

Are sourdough pretzels OK for diabetics? ›

Although pretzels are low in fat, they contain a high amount of salt which can lead to an increased risk of heart disease. Moreover, the high glycemic index of pretzels means that they cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels, making them unsuitable for diabetics who need to maintain stable blood glucose levels.

Can I freeze sourdough pretzel dough? ›

Yes! Freeze dough in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw dough overnight in the refrigerator before using. Just like cold refrigerated dough above, you will want to let the bites puff some more before adding to the baking soda bath.

What is the secret ingredient which makes a pretzel taste like a pretzel? ›

On the one hand, lye gives pretzels their distinctive flavor, kind of a sharp flatness, if that makes sense. It's what keeps a pretzel from tasting like pretzel-shaped bread. On the other hand, lye is ridiculously dangerous. It will burn you if it gets on your skin and blind you if it gets in your eyes.

What is the best flour for pretzels? ›

Bread flour provides more structure

Gluten helps provide structure, allowing a baked good to have more body and sturdiness. As a result, bread flour will make it easier for a pretzel to hold its shape. This can be an advantage to beginner bakers, especially since the shape of a pretzel is so important.

What happens if you don't boil pretzels before baking? ›

Like bagels, pretzels are made in boiling water prior to baking to give them their snappy outsides and chewy insides (messy!). Soft pretzels must be boiled, or dipped in a baking soda bath (or lye if you're gusty and strict with your pretzel traditions).

What are sourdough pretzels made of? ›

Make the dough: Mix flour, sourdough starter, water, powdered milk, melted butter, brown sugar, yeast, and salt in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook until dough comes together. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if dough is dry.

What are the two types of pretzels? ›

Pretzels are one of America's favorite snacks. It's also one of the most versatile. While there are many different types of pretzels out there, the most common delineation is that between soft pretzels and hard pretzels.

Are sourdough pretzels easy to digest? ›

Yes, most definitely. They are the perfect salty snack. Since the dough is fermented, the vitamins and minerals are more bio-available for your body to absorb, and there is less gluten making them easier to digest.

What are the healthiest pretzels to buy? ›

  • Best: Fitjoy Pretzels.
  • Best: Savor by Suzie Pretzels, Roasted Garlic and Herb.
  • Best: BeyondTwistz Pretzels.
  • Best: Real Food From The Ground Up Cauliflower Pretzels.
  • Best: Snack Factory Organic Pretzel Crisps.
  • Best: Whisps Cheese & Pretzel Bites.
  • Best: 365 Whole Foods Pretzels.
  • Best: Snack Factory Sea Salt Pretzel Crisps Bites.
Jan 23, 2024

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