Sourdough Pretzels

Once you've tasted this soft sourdough pretzel recipe, you'll just have to go back for a second!

These easy sourdough pretzels will deliver soft, German style pretzels, perfect to share with friends and family alongside your favorite beverage.

Don't be intimidated by shaping these beauties - they really are much easier than they look! Plus I've included an easy step by step twisting tutorial!

You might also like these sourdough discard pretzel bites and 3 ingredient beer cheese dip! Or maybe these sourdough pretzel buns or sourdough hot dog rolls are more your style.

How To Make Soft Sourdough Pretzels

1. Add active sourdough starter, water, flour, sugar and salt to the bowl of your stand mixer and bring together to form a shaggy dough.
   
2. Allow the dough to rest for around 15 minutes.
   
3. Knead the dough (you'll need to use a dough hook for stand mixers) for around 10 minutes until it is smooth and supple. This is a stiff dough (much like sandwich bread dough) so it won't be super elastic, however it should be smooth and not sticky.
   
4. Once the dough is sufficiently kneaded, you'll need to allow it to rise or ferment. You want the dough to double and be puffy and soft.
   
5. Once the dough has risen, you'll need to shape the pretzels. It's quite simple, you just need a little patience. Divide the dough into 12 pieces weighing 80g each. Shape each piece of dough into a small ball and then roll out into a long, thin strip. Around 45cm is perfect.
   
6. Twist each strip into a pretzel (see shaping notes below). Place the shaped pretzels onto a baking sheet lined with baking paper, cover with a dish towel and set aside to proof for a few hours.
   
7. Once they are puffy, place them into the freezer for around 30 minutes to set.
   
8. While they are setting in the freezer, bring a pot of water with 60g of baking soda added to the boil and preheat the oven to 200C/392F.
   
9. When the water is boiling, carefully place 3-4 pretzels into the boiling water at a time. You want to boil them for around 30 seconds each. They should float to the surface and that's when you know to take them out.
   
10. Carefully remove the pretzels from the boiling water using a slotted spoon. Lay the pretzels onto a baking tray lined with baking paper.
    
11. Using a pastry brush, brush on the egg wash mixture and then sprinkle with salt or seeds as desired.
    
12. Bake the pretzels for around 20 - 25 minutes at 200C/392F. Remove them from the oven when they are golden brown.
    
13. Allow them to cool before you enjoy them with this 3 ingredient beer cheese dip!

Shaping Sourdough Pretzels

Shaping soft sourdough pretzels might look complicated, but it's honestly easy once you break it down.

First, start by dividing your dough into 80g pieces (you'll get 12 from one batch of this recipe).

Then, you just need to roll each piece into a rope around 45cm long.

Then follow the diagram below:

1. Pull the ends of the dough rope upwards, with the left end sitting under the right. It will look like a loose triangle.
   
2. Now twist the end of the right rope under the left again.
   
3. Pull the twist downwards so it sits at the base of the triangle and the ends hang down a little. You can tuck the tails under if you prefer a more rounded shape - but I quite like the little tails.

Simple!

Of course there are other ways you can shape them, this is just the easiest for a beginner.

Why Do You Boil Sourdough Pretzels Before Baking?

Boiling sourdough pretzels is essential to get the chewy crust, yet soft, squishy crumb inside.

Traditionally German pretzels are boiled in lye. To make this recipe accessible to the home sourdough baker, I have opted for baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) instead.

Baking soda helps to give the crust that distinct color and chew.

Boiling these soft sourdough pretzels gives them a puffiness, even before they hit the oven.

It means that when the pretzels are placed in the oven, the crust is "set" and as it bakes becomes chewy from the water still sitting on top.

The dough still expands inside the crust, making the pretzels soft inside.

Is Pretzel Dough the Same As Bagel Dough?

Yes, sourdough pretzel dough is basically the same as sourdough bagel dough.

It is prepared in much the same way, given that the desired result is a chewy, golden crust.

Obviously soft sourdough pretzels are shaped and dressed a little differently, but they are inherently similar in texture.

Both have a chewy crust thanks to boiling in baking soda.

Why Are My Soft Pretzels So Dense?

A common question - you will find that your soft sourdough pretzels will be too dense if they are not proofed adequately or you've used flour that is too high in protein.

Before boiling, they should be lovely and puffy. They should look like little twisted pillows of dough.

If they aren't puffy before you boil them, they will come out quite dense when you bake them.

Soft pretzels are chewy, but they should still be light and airy inside, rather than dense.

The type of flour you use will also make a difference. All purpose or bread flour is a good choice for making pretzels. If your flour is higher than 13% however it may result in a denser crumb.

Can You Use Sourdough Discard To Make Pretzels?

You can use sourdough discard in this recipe in place of sourdough starter, however you will need to add some commercial yeast.

Adding up to 7g of commercial yeast will allow you to use sourdough discard in this recipe. You can add less yeast - this will give you a longer rise and more flavor.

Add the commercial yeast (if using) at the same time you add the sourdough discard.

Share the sourdough love!