Bavarian pretzels are more than just a piece of dough – they are a symbol of German culture and tradition, especially in the Bavarian region. Characterized by their golden-brown crust, soft interior and recognizable shape, pretzels have graced the tables at Bavarian Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival, for centuries. There they are usually served alongside large mugs of beer, traditional sausages and rich cheese sauces.
Preparing Bavarian pretzels may sound challenging, but with the right ingredients and a little patience, you can easily bake them right in your home kitchen. The process includes a special step - before baking, the pretzels are quickly cooked in boiling water with the addition of baking soda, which gives them that characteristic crispy crust and taste.
They are ideal for parties, snacks or simply when you want something crunchy, fresh and homemade. Ready to give it a try? Follow the recipe below and create your own beautiful pretzels that will impress your family and friends.
Original Bavarian pretzels
Ingredients
- 500 g of white flour
- 300 ml of lukewarm water
- 1 packet of dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 80 g baking soda (for cooking pretzels)
- Coarse salt for sprinkling
Directions
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, yeast, salt, sugar, water and butter. Knead a smooth dough and knead it for about 10 minutes until it is elastic.
- Cover the dough with a tea towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal parts. Form a long roll from each and roll it into a classic pretzel shape.
- Boil water and add baking soda. Dip each presto in boiling water for 20-30 seconds, then place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
- Sprinkle them with coarse salt and bake in a preheated oven at 220°C for about 15-20 minutes, until they become golden-brown.
- Serve fresh and warm, with a beer mug or with your favorite dip.
