Alton Brown Makes Soft Pretzels | Good Eats | Food Network

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

Whole wheat flour is more nutritious.

butter

🥗Healthier: olive oil

Olive oil is a healthier fat option.

Melt 2 ounces of unsalted butter and set aside.

Heat 1.5 cups of water to around 115 degrees.

In a bowl, combine the warm water, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 2 teaspoons of kosher salt, and 2.5 teaspoons of active dry yeast; let sit until frothy.

Weigh out 22 ounces of all-purpose flour (about 4.5 cups).

Attach the mixing bowl to the mixer, add the yeast mixture and melted butter, and mix on low speed until combined.

Increase the mixer speed to medium and mix for 4-5 minutes until the dough is smooth and satiny.

Spray the mixing bowl with no-stick spray, cover with a tea towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

Once the dough has doubled in size, divide it into 8 equal portions (about 4.5 ounces each).

Shape each portion into a long rope, aiming for a length of 24 inches.

Form each rope into a pretzel shape, pinching the ends to join them, and place on a pan covered with a tea towel and spritzed with water.

In a wide saute pan, bring 10 cups of water to a boil and add 2/3 cup of baking soda.

Boil the pretzels two at a time for 30 seconds, then lift them out and place on a baking sheet.

Brush the pretzels with an egg wash made from 1 egg yolk thinned with 1 tablespoon of water.

Sprinkle with coarse salt and bake in a preheated oven at 450 degrees for 14 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens