10 Homemade Pretzel Recipes

Soft, Buttery, and So Snackably Delicious

By
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
Cathy Jacobs
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
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Updated on 02/19/20
Copycat Auntie Anne's Pretzels
Leah Maroney

Do you love the soft pretzels available at shopping malls and ballparks? It's surprisingly easy to make soft oven-baked pretzels right in your own kitchen. Try these recipes and make pretzels that are perfect as on-the-go snacks, after-school treats, or game day and party treats.

  • 01 of 10

    Authentic German Soft Pretzel

    Authentic German Soft Pretzel

    The Spruce/Cara Cormack

    A classic German soft pretzel (or "laugenbrezel") is thick and soft on the inside, with a thin and crunchy exterior created by dipping the dough in food-grade lye. This is usually accomplished in bakeries, but this recipe allows you to play food scientist and try the process at home. Just remember the gloves and safety glasses!

  • 02 of 10

    Homemade Soft Pretzels

    Homemade Soft Pretzels

    Diana Rattray

    Ballpark-style soft pretzels covered in crunchy salt are a delicious treat. Skip the long lines by making your own soft pretzels at home. They come out of the oven golden on the outside and beautifully bready on the inside. Bonus: they take only 30 minutes to make from start to finish.

  • 03 of 10

    Dairy-Free Pretzel Rolls

    Dairy-Free Pretzel Rolls

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    Change up your dinner game with these scrumptious, salty, crusty pretzel-style rolls. They make a tasty alternative to buttermilk biscuits or French rolls and go well with everything from soup to sandwich fixings.

  • 04 of 10

    Copycat Auntie Anne's Pretzels

    Copycat Auntie Anne's Pretzels
    Leah Maroney

    When you're craving Auntie Anne's pretzels, but don't feel like driving to the mall, reach for this genius copycat recipe. It yields 10 chewy, buttery pretzels just like the ones you munch on while shopping, without the need to leave home.

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Homemade Vegan Soft Pretzels

    Homemade Vegan Soft Pretzels

    Sarah Bossert/E+/Getty Images

    Looking for a lunchbox treat for vegan kids or a dairy-free snack for movie night? These tempting golden-brown soft pretzels require no butter whatsoever. Just make the simple yeast dough and let it sufficiently rise before forming into loops and baking for 12 minutes in the oven.

  • 06 of 10

    Soft Pretzels From the Bread Machine

    Soft Pretzels From the Bread Machine

    Thomas Winz/Getty Images

    Kids can help you twist up these easy, doughy soft pretzels. Light brown sugar adds great color to the crispy crust and the perfect amount of sweetness. Bake them up in your bread machine for a tasty on-the-go snack or an after-school treat with mustard.

  • 07 of 10

    Pretzel Bread Bowls

    Pretzel Bread Bowls

    Leah Maroney

    Buttery salty pretzel bread bowls are the most delicious vessel for serving your favorite seasonal soups, from baked potato to broccoli cheddar. Only seven basic ingredients are needed for this recipe that makes eight bread bowls.

  • 08 of 10

    Keto Pretzels

    Keto Pretzels

    The Spruce/Laurel Randolph

    Wish you could eat soft, bready pretzels on a keto diet? You can now! Instead of the usual grains, these keto pretzels uses almond flour and cheeses for their tasty dough. There's no rising necessary either, making this recipe quick and easy to make.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Easy No-Yeast Soft Cheddar Pretzels

    Easy No-Yeast Soft Cheddar Pretzels

    bhofack2/Getty Images

    You don't need any yeast or rising time for these big, soft pretzels that are quick and easy enough for beginner bakers. They take only 30 minutes to make, and include cheddar cheese for an extra boost of flavor. Enjoy them solo, or with grainy mustard for dipping.

  • 10 of 10

    Sweet Dutch Pretzels (Krakelingen)

    Sweet Dutch Pretzels (Krakelingen)

    Kosmos

    Enjoy sweet bakery-style Dutch pretzels just like the kind enjoyed in the Netherlands. They are more of a dessert than a savory snack, thanks to the quantity of sugar used in the yeast dough. You can form them into slender sticks, or go the traditional route and make them small for a delicious cookie-sized treat.