Crispy Pretzel Twists Recipe Everyone Will Love

Salty, crunchy pretzel twists refine ordinary snack time into a delightful culinary adventure.

Crafted with care and a touch of magic, these twisted treats bring excitement to any gathering.

Home bakers can easily master the art of creating these golden-brown delicacies with simple ingredients and basic kitchen skills.

The unique shape and satisfying texture make pretzel twists an irresistible crowd-pleaser that sparks conversation and brings smiles.

Rich with flavor and sporting a characteristic golden-brown exterior, these twists offer a perfect balance of crispy edges and tender inner softness.

Seasoned with just the right amount of salt, they dance between savory indulgence and wholesome goodness.

Each bite promises a remarkable journey of taste and texture that will leave you craving more.

Why Pretzel Twists Might Become Your New Snack Obsession

• Create Bakery-Quality Pretzels at Home: Master a professional-level baking technique that transforms simple ingredients into gourmet soft pretzels with gorgeous golden-brown crusts.
• Enjoy Satisfying Texture Variation: Experience the perfect contrast between the crispy exterior and soft, pillowy interior that makes these pretzel twists irresistibly delicious and fun to eat.
• Customizable Flavor Adventure: Experiment with different salt toppings, dipping sauces, or spice blends to personalize your pretzel twists and make them uniquely yours every single time you bake.

Your Pretzel Twist Ingredient Checklist

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the pretzel, providing a soft and chewy texture with gluten development.
• Coarse Salt: Adds classic pretzel flavor and creates a beautiful finishing touch on the exterior.
• Table Salt: Enhances overall dough flavor and helps control yeast activity.

• Warm Water: Activates the yeast and helps create the right dough consistency.
• Melted Butter: Adds richness, softness, and a subtle flavor to the pretzel dough.
• Eggs: Creates a golden, shiny exterior when brushed on the pretzels before baking.

• Active Dry Yeast: Essential for dough rising and creating the characteristic pretzel texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds the yeast and provides a hint of sweetness to balance the salt.
• Baking Soda: Creates the traditional pretzel brown and crispy exterior when used in the water bath.

Twisting and Baking Homemade Pretzel Twists

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Workspace

Warm up your oven to 450°F (230°C). Grab a baking sheet and protect it with parchment paper or non-stick spray.

Step 2: Activate Yeast Mixture

• Warm water
• Sugar
• Active dry yeast

Stir gently until ingredients dance together smoothly.

Step 3: Create Soft Dough

• All-purpose flour
• Table salt
• Melted butter

Mix until a soft, pillowy dough forms.

Step 4: Knead and Rest Dough

Gently massage dough on a clean surface for 6-8 strokes. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a soft towel, and let it relax for about 60 minutes.

Step 5: Shape Pretzel Wonders

Punch down the puffy dough. Divide into 12 equal portions. Roll each piece into a long rope. Create classic twist by folding rope in half and intertwining ends.

Step 6: Bath Pretzel Dough

Boil water with baking soda. Dunk each pretzel twist for 30 seconds on each side, creating that signature chewy exterior.

Step 7: Season and Decorate

Brush each twist with whisked egg. Sprinkle generously with coarse salt for extra flavor punch.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide baking sheet into preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes until pretzels turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Let pretzels rest for a few minutes. Serve warm and enjoy your homemade bakery-style treat!

Insider Hacks for Perfectly Golden Pretzel Twists

• Activate Yeast Perfectly: Ensure water temperature is between 110-115°F to wake up yeast without killing it, creating a smooth and elastic dough.
• Knead with Confidence: Work the dough firmly but gently, developing gluten structure for that classic pretzel chewiness and preventing tough textures.
• Baking Soda Bath Trick: Use boiling water and baking soda bath for exactly 30-50 seconds to achieve that signature pretzel dark brown color and crispy exterior.
• Salt Selection Matters: Choose coarse sea salt or pretzel salt for authentic flavor and beautiful crystal-like texture that enhances the pretzel's appearance.
• Twist Technique: Roll dough strips consistently to ensure even baking and create uniform, professional-looking pretzel shapes that cook perfectly and look impressive.

Keep Your Pretzel Twists Soft and Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftover pretzel twists in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, maintaining their crispy texture and delicious flavor.
• Freeze: Wrap individual pretzel twists tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month to preserve their quality and taste.
• Reheat: Warm pretzels in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Spritz with water before reheating to restore their original crispness and prevent drying out.

Snacks and Dips That Complement Pretzel Twists

• Savor Complementary Beer Pairings: Craft a delightful experience by serving these pretzel twists with a crisp German-style pilsner or a malty amber ale, which perfectly balances the salty, chewy texture of the pretzels.
• Create Delectable Dipping Sauces: Elevate the flavor profile with classic German-inspired mustard, a creamy beer cheese sauce, or a tangy honey mustard that adds an extra layer of deliciousness to each bite.
• Match with Hearty Appetizers: Complement the pretzels with traditional Bavarian charcuterie like smoked bratwurst, German potato salad, or a selection of aged cheeses that enhance the pretzel's rich, salty character.
• Pair with Refreshing Beverages: Cool down the saltiness with a chilled wheat beer, a crisp white wine like Riesling, or a sparkling apple cider that cuts through the pretzel's dense texture and provides a refreshing contrast.

Give Pretzel Twists a Flavor Spin

• Cheesy Herb Pretzels: Fold grated parmesan and chopped fresh rosemary into the dough before shaping, creating a savory herb-infused version that's packed with extra flavor.
• Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels: Replace coarse salt with a generous sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar mixture after egg wash, transforming the pretzels into a sweet breakfast or dessert treat.
• Garlic Parmesan Pretzels: Mix minced garlic and grated parmesan cheese into the dough, then top pretzels with an additional sprinkle of parmesan before baking for a rich, garlicky experience.
• Whole Wheat Rustic Pretzels: Substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier, more robust taste and added nutritional value, giving the pretzels a hearty texture.

Pretzel Twists Recipe

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4.5 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Salty German pretzel twists bring classic Bavarian flavor right to your kitchen. Crispy exterior and chewy interior make these twists a perfect snack you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 12 cups water
• ¾ cup baking soda

Leavening and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 packet (0.25 ounces) active dry yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 large eggs, whisked

Flavor and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons table salt
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• Coarse salt, for topping

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Instructions

1. Activate yeast by mixing with warm water and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl, allowing the mixture to become frothy and aromatic for about 3-4 minutes.
2. Gradually incorporate flour into the yeast mixture, blending until a soft, cohesive dough begins to form, then introduce melted butter and salt, continuing to knead until smooth and elastic.
3. Transfer the dough to a lightly greased container, covering with a damp cloth, and permit it to rise in a warm environment until its volume doubles, approximately one hour.
4. Deflate the risen dough gently and position it onto a flour-dusted work surface, dividing it into 12 uniform segments.
5. Roll each dough segment into elongated strips, approximately 14 inches long, then fold and twist each piece, securing the ends by pinching them together to create distinctive pretzel shapes.
6. Prepare a large pot with water and baking soda, bringing the liquid to a vigorous boil over high heat.
7. Carefully submerge each pretzel in the boiling solution for 30-40 seconds, ensuring both sides are briefly bathed, then extract with a slotted utensil and arrange on a prepared baking sheet.
8. Whisk eggs and generously brush each pretzel surface, then sprinkle with coarse salt for enhanced flavor and texture.
9. Position the pretzels in a preheated 450°F oven, baking until they transform into a rich, golden-brown color, approximately 12-15 minutes.
10. Remove from the oven and allow the pretzels to cool slightly before serving, enjoying their crisp exterior and soft interior.

Notes

• Master the art of creating soft, chewy pretzels with this beginner-friendly recipe that transforms simple ingredients into bakery-quality treats.
• Warm water and active dry yeast are crucial for developing the perfect dough texture, ensuring your pretzels rise beautifully and taste incredible.
• Boiling pretzels in baking soda water before baking creates that signature glossy, deep brown exterior and authentic pretzel flavor that sets them apart from ordinary bread.
• Precise timing is key: 30 seconds on each side during the baking soda bath guarantees the classic pretzel appearance and helps achieve that distinctive crispy-yet-chewy consistency.
• Egg wash and coarse salt aren’t just decorative – they add a golden sheen and provide a delightful salty crunch that elevates these homemade pretzels from good to extraordinary.
• Fresh pretzels are best enjoyed warm, within an hour of baking, when they’re at peak softness and flavor, making them perfect for immediate snacking or sharing with friends and family.

• Prep Time: 60 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: German

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 410mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 46g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 40mg