Homemade Soft Sourdough Pretzel Recipe

Our soft Sourdough Pretzel Recipe comes with a video demonstration and several suggestions for how to finish them.

Sourdough pretzels are a popular option to make with unfed sourdough discard. These soft pretzels are simple to make, and a great option for breakfast or lunch. Sourdough pretzels use up discard and present a great opportunity for healthy snacks.

Make these easy sourdough pretzels in just one day with little effort. These are a great way to use up extra discard from baking bread.

Sourdough discard recipes are turning out to be a great addition to our family’s weekly menu.

When I make bread and keep my sourdough starter maintained there is always the discard. I won’t throw it out.

I’m too cheap to pay money for flour and watch it go in the garbage. So I have LOTS of recipes to use it up.

Are Sourdough Pretzels Healthy?

Homemade sourdough pretzels are healthier than store bought or white enriched bread pretzels. These pretzels can be made with 6 ingredients and no added preservatives or fillers. Sourdough pretzels are better for gut health and digest easier than the white enriched bread counterparts. Sourdough bread has gained popularity over the years because it tastes better than store bought bread. The secret behind its superior flavor lies in using natural yeasts instead of chemical additives. In addition, sourdough bread is easier to digest than other types of bread.

Are Pretzels made from Sourdough Bread?

Not all pretzels are made from sourdough bread. Most store bought pretzels are made from white enriched flour and instant yeast. Pretzels can also be made at home using instant yeast and flour rather than sourdough starter. Pretzels that are not marked as sourdough pretzels are more than likely yeast and flour based.

What is the difference between Pretzel dough and Regular dough?

Pretzel dough and regular dough are very similar. The biggest difference is how they are prepared and baked. Regular dough is usually baked straight in the oven. Pretzel dough is often boiled in a baking soda and water bath before being placed on a baking sheet and baked in the oven.

What is Unfed Sourdough Discard?

Unfed sourdough discard is discard that is not active. Active sourdough starter will float in a float test when it is ready for baking. After preparing sourdough starter for baking, you will be left with discard (this is sourdough starter that is leftover). An unfed sourdough discard is usually pulled from the starter while the starter is still not active. This often means that you pull the starter from the refrigerator, give it one feeding, and then use it while it is still not yet active.

Topping Ideas for Sourdough Pretzels:

1. Granulated Sugar
2. Cinnamon
3. Brown Sugar
4. Course Salt
5. Sesame Seeds
6. Everything Bagel Seasoning
7. Garlic
8. Parmesan Cheese
9. Melted Butter
10. Poppy Seeds
11. Honey

More Sourdough Discard Recipes:

When you feed your sourdough starter KEEP the discard for more amazing recipes like these.

Visit our Sourdough Section to see ALL of our sourdough breads, bagels and many other recipes.

Homemade Soft Pretzel Recipe:

This recipe is very simple. Only about 15 minutes of prep. Then rest the dough and make your pretzels. This visual guide will help you see all the steps.

Please also watch our video demonstration of this sourdough discard recipe.

TIPS:

• Use instant yeast if you have it. Active dry yeast is not the same. They will both work. Instant yeast will just be easier to work with.
• I have used both butter and oil to make this recipe. MIND the oil. A strong flavored oil will add flavor to the pretzels. Try avocado oil for a healthy flavorless oil.
• I used sesame oil for my last batch. Yep the pretzels had the flavor. but it was a nice twist.
• If the dough is too dry when you mix it to hold together add a few tablespoons of water until you can work with it before kneading.
• You can knead with wet hands to further hydrate the dough if hand kneading.

let’s get started making sourdough pretzels.

Making Sourdough Pretzel Dough:

Baking Prep:

• Preheat your oven now.
• Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly spray cooking oil on the parchment to prevent sticking. Or use a silicone mat like I do.
• After Resting the dough turn the dough out onto a work surface.
• Follow the guide below for instructions on forming the pretzels.

Forming the Pretzels:

We used the baking soda wash in our video demonstration. I’ve added more ideas for washes and baths below for this pretzel dough recipe if you’re interested.

This homemade pretzel recipe can be finished in several ways. Below we offer more ideas for finishing the pretzels.

Each idea will change the flavor and crust a bit. There is also a sweet variation for you.

Pretzel Wash Suggestions:

The final step before baking this soft pretzel recipe is to brush on a wash over your raw ready to bake bagels.

Brush On Methods:

• Baking Soda Wash:The method demonstrated in our video is a very simple wash of 1/2 tablespoon baking soda dissolved in two tablespoons of water. Brush is over the raw pretzels
• Non Diastatic Malt Powder is not currently available but King Arthur Flour usually stocks it. Use 1 Tablespoon malt powder dissolved in two tablespoons water. Brush it on.

Whole Egg Wash:

Instead of baking soda brush a beaten egg mixed with a tablespoon of water over the raw pretzels. We did this method and the pretzels did brown nicely.

Egg White Wash:

If you want your pretzels shiny and not browned this one will do the trick. Beat an egg white with a Tablespoon of water. Brush on the raw bagels.

Non Diastatic Malt Wash:

Non diastatic malt is currently out of stock so I can’t say how this works but it’s often used for pretzel wash with good results I understand. If you have some…

Mix 1 Tablespoon non diastatic malt with 2 Tablespoons water. Dissolve and brush on raw bagels. Bake.

Sugar Wash for Sweet Bagels:

I did use a sugar wash on a batch of pretzels. If you want a sweet pretzel and plan to sprinkle your pretzels with a cinnamon sugar topping rather than salt use this wash.

• 1 Tablespoon sugar to 2 Tablespoons water.
• Dissolve the sugar in the water and brush it on your raw bagels.
• sprinkle with your sweet toppings and bake.

The pretzels pictured above were washed with baking soda UNBAKED. The soda tang is more pronounced with this wash. But it is very quick to do.

Immersion Methods:

We found some pretzel wash ideas in this LA Times article by Noelle Carter. She describes several ways you can finish a pretzel. We tried Two.

Baked Baking Soda Bath:

• I’m impressed with this one. The baking of the soda tempers the flavor and gave the pretzels more of the authentic Pretzel crust and flavor.
  1. On a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper
  2. Spread 1 1/3 Cups Baking soda in an even layer
  3. Bake at 250 degrees F. for 60 minutes
  4. Pour into 4 cups of warm water in a low wide pot, bowl or saucepan to 3 inches depth.
  5. Using a large slotted spoon lay the raw bagels in the bath for 2 minutes.
  6. Turn pretzel over in bath for another minute or two.
  7. Remove to bath of plain water to rinse.
  8. Lay back on baking sheet and sprinkle with pretzel salt.
  9. Bake as directed.

Lye Bath:

We did NOT try this. But traditionally lye is the tried and true pretzel wash.

Go to The Times Article linked above for more instructions on how to do this potentially dangerous bath. I’m not getting into personal protective gear in my kitchen. 🙂

The different washes produce different crusts and subtle changes in the flavor as well.

In the printable recipe card I’ve put all the variation ideas in the NOTES section for you.

Baking and Finishing:

Your Printable Recipe:

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