Description
Pretzel Dogs are wrapped in soft, chewy pretzel dough, boiled briefly in a baking soda bath, then baked until golden brown and sprinkled with coarse salt. They’re a fun, family-friendly recipe that works as an appetizer, lunch, dinner, or game day snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- 15 sausage franks
- 1½ cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
- 4½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for greasing the pan
- 10 cups water
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt or pretzel salt
Instructions
- If using a bread maker, combine the warm water, sugar, salt, yeast, flour, and melted butter in the machine and run the dough cycle. Once done, skip ahead to shaping.
- If using a stand mixer, combine the warm water, sugar, salt, and yeast in the mixer bowl. Let it sit for 4 to 5 minutes until slightly foamy.
- Add the flour and melted butter. Mix with the dough hook on low speed until the dough comes together.
- Increase speed to medium and knead for 4 to 5 minutes, until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Remove the dough, lightly grease it, return it to the bowl, and cover with a towel. Let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large saucepan or roasting pan, bring 10 cups of water and ½ cup baking soda to a rolling boil.
- Turn the dough out onto an oiled work surface and divide it into 15 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a rope and wrap it around a sausage, pinching the ends so the dough stays in place.
- Place each pretzel dog into the boiling baking soda bath for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to the prepared baking sheets.
- Beat the egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water and brush over each pretzel dog. Sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake for about 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Notes
- Do not skip the baking soda bath. It gives the Pretzel Dogs their classic chewy pretzel texture and deep golden color.
- Pinch the dough ends well so they do not unwrap while baking.
- These are best served warm with mustard or cheese sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
