Pretzels are a timeless snack that tantalizes taste buds with their soft, chewy texture and irresistible flavor. This recipe for Pretzels with Salt, Cheese, Poppy Seeds, or Sesame Seeds combines the classic appeal of pretzels with a variety of toppings to suit every palate. Whether you’re craving a savory treat or a cheesy indulgence, these homemade pretzels are sure to satisfy your snack cravings.
With a total preparation time of just 55 minutes, including 15 minutes of cooking time, these pretzels are quick and easy to make, perfect for satisfying those sudden snack cravings or impressing guests at your next gathering. Plus, with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, even novice bakers can whip up a batch of these delicious treats with confidence.
To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need 4 to 4 1/2 cups of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 package of dry yeast, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, 1 cup of milk, 1/2 cup of water, 2 tablespoons of oil, 2 eggs, and your choice of toppings: poppy seeds, sesame seeds, cheese, or salt. These ingredients come together to create a dough that’s both flavorful and easy to work with.
Begin by combining 2 cups of flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate saucepan, heat the milk, water, and oil until very warm, between 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Once warmed, stir the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients until well combined. Gradually add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough, then turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it until smooth, about 4 to 6 minutes.
After kneading, cover the dough and let it rest on the floured surface for 10 minutes to allow the gluten to relax. Once rested, divide the dough into 14 equal pieces and roll each piece into a 20-inch rope. Cover the ropes and let them rest for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until they’ve risen slightly.
While the dough is resting, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare two greased baking sheets. Once the ropes have risen, it’s time to shape them into pretzels. Curve the ends of each rope to form a circle, then cross the ends at the top and twist them once before laying them over the bottom of the circle. Place the shaped pretzels onto the prepared baking sheets.
Before baking, brush the pretzels with beaten eggs to give them a golden brown sheen when baked. Then, pop them into the preheated oven and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. After the initial baking time, remove the pretzels from the oven and brush them again with beaten eggs. This second egg wash will enhance the pretzels’ shine and help the toppings adhere.
Now comes the fun part – adding your choice of toppings! Whether you prefer the classic taste of salt, the nutty flavor of sesame seeds, the crunchy texture of poppy seeds, or the gooey goodness of melted cheese, simply sprinkle your desired toppings over the pretzels before returning them to the oven for an additional 15 minutes, or until they’re beautifully golden brown and cooked through.
Once baked to perfection, remove the pretzels from the oven and transfer them to wire racks to cool. Allow them to cool slightly before serving, as the dough will continue to firm up as it cools, resulting in that perfect soft and chewy pretzel texture that we all know and love.
With their golden brown exteriors, soft interiors, and customizable toppings, these homemade pretzels are sure to be a hit with friends and family alike. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or packed into lunchboxes for on-the-go snacking, these pretzels are a delicious and satisfying treat that’s perfect for any occasion. So why wait? Roll up your sleeves, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up a batch of these irresistible Pretzels with Salt, Cheese, Poppy Seeds, or Sesame Seeds today!
