Description
Garlic parmesan soft pretzels deliver a mouthwatering twist on classic street fare with bold Italian-inspired flavors. Salt-crusted dough gets elevated by zesty garlic and rich parmesan, creating an irresistible snack you cannot resist pulling apart and savoring.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 cups (635 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (355 grams) warm water
- 4 tablespoons (57 grams) unsalted butter, melted
Leavening and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
Baking and Topping Ingredients:
- ⅔ cup baking soda
- 10 cups water
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Activate the yeast mixture by combining it with warm water and brown sugar, allowing it to bloom for 5 minutes until frothy and bubbling.
- Create a smooth, elastic dough by incorporating flour, salt, and melted butter into the yeast mixture, kneading thoroughly until the texture becomes uniform and pulls away from the sides of the mixing bowl.
- Divide the dough into 10 equal portions, carefully rolling each piece into an elongated rope approximately 20 inches long with gentle, consistent pressure.
- Transform each rope into a classic pretzel shape by forming a “U”, crossing the ends, twisting them together, and pressing down to create the traditional pretzel silhouette.
- Allow the shaped pretzels to rest and expand, covering them to prevent moisture loss and enabling gentle rising for approximately 30 minutes.
- Prepare a baking soda bath by bringing water and baking soda to a gentle simmer, then briefly submerge each pretzel for 30 seconds per side to develop a rich, golden exterior.
- Make subtle scoring marks on the thickest part of each pretzel to enhance visual appeal and promote even baking.
- Bake the pretzels in a preheated oven, rotating trays midway to ensure consistent golden-brown coloration and optimal texture.
- Craft a fragrant garlic butter mixture by gently heating butter with minced garlic, then enhancing it with salt, garlic powder, and fresh parsley.
- Finish the pretzels by generously brushing them with the aromatic garlic butter and sprinkling abundantly with freshly grated Parmesan cheese while still warm.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the maximum flavor and optimal texture of these savory, golden-brown pretzels.
Notes
- Activate yeast with warm water and brown sugar to ensure a perfect, fluffy dough rise.
- Knead dough thoroughly until smooth and elastic, which guarantees a tender pretzel texture.
- Use a baking soda bath to achieve that classic golden-brown pretzel exterior with a crispy crust.
- Score pretzels before baking to help them expand evenly and create a professional bakery look.
- Brush warm pretzels immediately with garlic butter for maximum flavor absorption and irresistible aroma.
- Serve immediately for the best taste and texture, enjoying the warm, cheesy, garlicky goodness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg