Description
Make soft, chewy pretzel dogs from scratch using a simple dough and a traditional baking soda bath for authentic flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 4 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
- 8 standard hot dogs or sausages
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 8 cups water (for boiling bath)
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse pretzel salt, for topping
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, mix the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy.
- Mix the dough: Add the flour, salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a lightly floured surface for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare hot dogs: While the dough rises, pat the hot dogs dry with paper towels.
- Shape the dough: Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 12 inches long. Wrap one rope around each hot dog, pinching the ends securely to seal.
- Prepare the bath: In a wide, shallow pan, bring 8 cups of water and the 1/2 cup of baking soda to a boil.
- Dip the dogs: Carefully lower two pretzel dogs at a time into the boiling baking soda water. Boil for 30 seconds, then remove with a slotted spoon and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush the boiled pretzel dogs with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse pretzel salt.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until deep golden brown. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- For mini pretzel dog bites, cut the dough ropes into smaller pieces and wrap them around cocktail sausages or cut standard hot dogs into thirds.
- To make a simple cheese sauce, melt 4 ounces of sharp cheddar with 1/4 cup milk and a pinch of cayenne pepper over low heat.
- If you want a darker crust, increase the boiling time in the baking soda bath to 45 seconds per side.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel dog
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 14
- Cholesterol: 55