In the realm of delectable treats, few can rival the allure of the Philly-style pretzel. Originating from the vibrant streets of Philadelphia, these golden-brown marvels have captivated taste buds for generations. Their distinct flavor profile, characterized by a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior, has earned them a loyal following among pretzel enthusiasts worldwide. This comprehensive guide delves into the art of crafting these delectable delights, presenting a collection of time-honored recipes that cater to diverse dietary preferences. Embark on a culinary journey as we explore classic, gluten-free, vegan, and sourdough variations, each promising an authentic Philly-style pretzel experience. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes provide clear instructions and helpful tips to ensure perfect results every time. Unleash your inner baker and let the irresistible aroma of freshly baked pretzels fill your home as you embark on this pretzel-making adventure.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
THE BEST PHILADELPHIA SOFT PRETZELS EVER
I read somewhere that Philadelphians eat nearly half of all the pretzels made in America. Well, these pretzels are to die for, and are just like the ones you pay several dollars for at the concession stand. I've made these many times with my kids, and we absolutely LOVE them, especially dipped in warm mustard or melted cheese. Prep time is approximate, and includes letting the dough rise for 30 minutes.
Provided by Annisette
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 1h12m
Yield 12-15 pretzels
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In mixing bowl add warm water and yeast. Stir until the yeast is completely dissolved.
- Add the sugar. Stir. Gradually stir in the flour. The dough will become stiff and dry. That's what you want.
- Sprinkle some flour on the counter or on a board. Flour your hands, too. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes.
- Form the dough into a ball. Place the ball of dough back in the bowl and cover the bowl with a dish towel. Let the dough rise in a warm, dark place for at least 30 minutes, or until the dough has doubled in size.
- While the dough rises, heat the oven to 400F degrees. Grease or butter a cookie sheet.
- Fill a saucepan half full of water, add the baking soda, and bring the water to a slow boil.
- When the dough is finished rising, put it on a floured surface. Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough into a square shape, about 1/4-1/2 inch (6-10 mm) thick. Cut the dough into 1/2-inch (or so) wide strips. They don't have to be perfect.
- Twist each strip into a pretzel shape, pinching the ends so they don't fall apart. Be careful not to let the strips stretch too thin as you handle them.
- Place a pretzel on a spatula and lower it into the boiling water for 5-10 seconds. It will puff up and float. Use the spatula to remove the pretzel from the water. Place the pretzel on the greased cookie sheet. Repeat this with the other pretzels.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg for 1 minute. Use a pastry brush to coat the top of each pretzel with the egg. Sprinkle salt over the pretzels.
- Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve with warmed mustard or melted cheese. YUM!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 132.4, Fat 0.8, SaturatedFat 0.2, Cholesterol 17.6, Sodium 217.4, Carbohydrate 26.6, Fiber 1.2, Sugar 2.2, Protein 4.3
HOMEMADE SOFT PRETZELS
For a taste of the fair at home, try Alton Brown's Homemade Soft Pretzels recipe from Good Eats on Food Network.
Provided by Alton Brown
Categories side-dish
Time 1h55m
Yield 8 pretzels
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.
- Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.
- In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan.
- Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.
CHEWY PHILADELPHIA-STYLE SOFT PRETZELS
Found this on another recipe site (sorry for cheating on the 'zaar) I though I'd add to the Philly recipes. I haven't tried it yet... So we'll see if this is REAL Philly Soft Pretzels...
Provided by CHRISSYG
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 2h20m
Yield 20 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a saucepan, heat milk just until bubbles form around the edge; remove from the heat and stir in brown sugar. Stir until dissolved then set aside. Meanwhile, combine warm water and yeast. Let stand for 3 minutes then add the cooled milk mixture. Beat in flour until smooth. Cover and set aside for 45 minutes to rise.
- Stir down the dough then gradually add flour, baking powder, and salt. Place on a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Roll into a 16' x 10-inch rectangle then cut into 1/2-inch wide strips. Roll each strip into a rope and twist into large pretzels. Let rise about 30 minutes.
- Bring a large kettle of salted water to a boil. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lower the pretzels gently into the boiling water for about 5 seconds then remove and place 2-inches apart on a greased baking sheet.
- Beat egg and water and lightly brush the pretzel tops. Sprinkle with coarse salt and bake at 400 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
PHILLY STYLE SOFT PRETZELS
These are great for a picnic or for a family BBQ! The kids will just gobble them up. Plus they're really easy to make. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Provided by OneYetTwo
Categories Healthy
Time 1h30m
Yield 16 pretzels, 16 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Dissolve yeast in warm water in large mixing bowl.
- Stir in teaspoon salt, sugar and 2-cups of flour.
- Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour t make dough easy to handle.
- Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic. (about 5-minutes).
- Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up. Cover: let rise until doubled (about 60-minutes). Dough is ready if an indentation remains when touched.
- Heat oven to 425°.
- Punch down dough and cut into 16-equal parts. Roll each part into a rope about 18� long. Twist each rope into a pretzel shape.
- Brush pretzels with beaten egg and sprinkle coarse salt. Bake until pretzels are golden brown (about 15-20 minutes).
- If using self-rising flour omit 1-teaspoon of salt.
PHILLY STYLE PRETZEL DOUGH
From Giant Food's Healthy Ideas Summer 2010 issue, this looks cool so I wanted to share it. This recipe can be used to make things like cheese logs if using string cheese or hot dogs to make pretzel dogs, as well as traditional pretzels. The key to pretzel baking is really with the baking soda bath which gives pretzels their dark shiny appearance. This is definitely not a rush-hour recipe-- a weekend project for sure! (1 cup AP flour + 1 TB vital wheat gluten = 1 cup bread flour)
Provided by the80srule
Categories Yeast Breads
Time 2h10m
Yield 12 pretzels, 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Sprinkle the yeast on the 1 1/2 cups warm water in mixing bowl and agitate slightly to dissolve. Add the sugar and dissolve.
- Add the flours and salt, knead until smooth and elastic.
- Let rise until doubled, about an hour. The card didn't specify if it should be covered or not.
- When the dough is almost done rising, make the baking soda bath with the baking soda and 2 cups warm water. Make sure to stir it often!
- After the dough has risen, punch the air out of it.
- Divide the dough into 12 pieces on a clean surface, roll into a long rope about 1/2 inch thick, and shape-- such as circles, twists, nuggets, hearts, traditional shape, etc.
- For traditional pretzel shape, shape the rope like a U cross the two ends over each other, pull the ends down and attach them at the bottom of the U.
- Carefully dip each pretzel in the the baking soda bath for 20 seconds, and place on a greased baking sheet.
- Allow the pretzels to rise again til doubled in size-- not listed on the recipe card (they need to describe some of these recipes better!) but I am assuming it to be roughly another 60 minutes because the prep time is listed as 120 minutes total.
- Bake at 450F for about 10 minutes or until golden-brown.
- Now here's the fun part-- brushing and seasoning/decorating! Melted butter and olive oil work for brushing, about 4 tablespoons (more or less depending on how much you like) will work for 12 pretzels, that's what is listed on the recipe card but I decided not to include it because some people may not want to brush it on. If youdidn't bake your toppings on, brush with butter and oil and proceed with your own ideas or the ones I and the magazine suggest.
- For toppings, kosher salt is the main one for traditional pretzels. But why not try a cinnamon-sugar mixture like coarse pearl sugar and primo quality cinnamon? Sesame seeds, or a mix of black and toasted sesame seeds by themselves or with some garam masala and olive oil. Garlic salt and parmesan cheese (the powdery kind!) for Italian pretzels, with your favorite pizza or pasta sauce as a dipper! Use your favorite herbs, fresh or dried! Dulce de leche sauce and dried apples for gourmet pretzels! The sky's the limit!
PHILLY-STYLE PRETZELS
These old-fashioned "Philadelphia-style" pretzels are almost like bagels -- smooth and shiny on the outside, chewy within.
Provided by Pa. Hiker
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 2h15m
Yield 16 pretzels
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Mix the sugar, water and yeast; stir to dissolve.
- (If you're using instant yeast, skip this step, simply combining all of the ingredients at once.) Add the white wheat flour, malt, salt, and enough unbleached flour to make a soft (but not sticky) dough.
- Knead well, place in a bowl, and let rise till doubled.
- Divide the dough into 16 pieces.
- Roll each piece into a log, and shape the logs into pretzels.
- In a large pot, boil together 6 cups of water and 2 tablespoons baking soda.
- Put 4 pretzels at a time into the boiling water, and cook for 1 minute.
- Transfer boiled pretzels to a lightly greased baking sheet.
- When all the pretzels have been cooked, paint them with an egg glaze (1 egg mixed with 1 tablespoon water) and sprinkle with salt or seeds (if desired), then bake in a preheated 450°F oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pretzels are well-browned.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 160.8, Fat 1, SaturatedFat 0.2, Cholesterol 13.2, Sodium 916, Carbohydrate 33.1, Fiber 3.5, Sugar 1.6, Protein 5.8
PRETZEL DOUGH
pretzel dough. we like to wrap the dough around hot dogs it is just like the ones you can buy at the mall
Provided by h jones
Categories Breads
Time 1h10m
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Sprinkle yeast on lukewarm water in mixing bowl; stir to dissolve.
- Add sugar, salt and stir to dissolve; add flour and knead dough until smooth and elastic.
- Let rise at least 1/2 hour.
- While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath with 2 cups warm water and 2 tbsp baking soda.
- Be certain to stir often.
- After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into a long rope (about 1/2 inch or less thick) and shape.
- Dip pretzel in soda solution and place on greased baking sheet.
- Allow pretzels to rise again.
- Bake in oven at 450 for about 10 minutes or until golden.
- Brush with melted butter and enjoy!
- Toppings: After you brush with butter try sprinkling with coarse salt.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 214.3, Fat 2.8, SaturatedFat 1.5, Cholesterol 6.1, Sodium 1037.8, Carbohydrate 41, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 2.8, Protein 5.4
Tips:
- Use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment to make the dough. This will make the process much easier.
- If you don't have a stand mixer, you can make the dough by hand. Just be sure to knead it for at least 10 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- To make the pretzels, divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope.
- To shape the pretzels, cross the ends of the rope over each other, then bring the ends down and tuck them under the pretzel.
- Place the pretzels on a greased baking sheet and let them rise for 30 minutes, or until they have doubled in size.
- Bake the pretzels in a preheated oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- Serve the pretzels warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Conclusion:
These Philly-style pretzels are the perfect combination of chewy and crispy. They are perfect for a snack, party, or even a main course. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make these delicious pretzels at home. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!
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