Bavarian Pretzels Recipe

These Bavarian pretzels are a very popular snack in Germany and perfect for your next Oktoberfest party! They taste delicious dipped in cheese sauce and are easy to make at home with simple ingredients. This authentic German Pretzel Recipe makes enough for a crowd as an appetizer.

📝 Ingredients

• 3/4 cup milk (lukewarm)
• 1/2 cup water (lukewarm)
• 1 1/2 tsp brown sugar (or malt extract)
• 2 1/2 tsp instant yeast (or active dry yeast)
• 3 Tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp table salt
• 4 cups water
• 3 Tbsp baking soda
• 2 Tbsp coarse salt

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment combine lukewarm milk, water, and brown sugar. Stir together with a fork then sprinkle instant (or active dry) yeast on top. Give it a swirl with the fork and let sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.
2. 2In the meantime melt the butter over low heat, then let cool for a few minutes.
3. 3Add flour, melted butter, and salt to the bowl with the yeast and knead for 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Cover bowl with plastic wrap put it in a warm place and let the dough rise until doubled (about 1 hour).
4. 4Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equally sized pieces. Roll each piece into a 16-inch (40cm) long rope, the middle part (about 2 inches or 5 cm) should be bulged to a diameter of about 1.2 inches and the ends should be thinned out to about 0.3 inches (0.75 cm).
5. 5Bring the ends together so the dough forms a circle. Twist the ends together twice then fold them down onto the bottom curve. Press ends into the dough and shape into a perfect pretzel shape.
6. 6Let the pretzels rise uncovered for 30 minutes in a warm place.
7. 7In the meantime preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C) with a baking sheet inside in the lower third.
8. 8Once the pretzels have risen, put them next to an opened window so the surface dries out and the pretzels develop a skin. This step is important for the texture.
9. 9Bring 4 cups water in a medium pot to a boil then add the baking soda. With a slotted spoon dip the pretzels one at a time carefully into the simmering water.
10. 10Take them out after about 5 seconds and place on a sheet of parchment paper.
11. 11Sprinkle with a little bit of salt and cut the dough with a sharp knife about 0.2 inches deep in the thick middle part at the top-back.
12. 12Transfer the parchment paper with the pretzels onto the hot baking sheet in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes until nicely browned. You want them to be really brown and not golden.
13. 13Remove pretzels from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. If you want them to be shiny brush them with a little bit of melted butter.