do you have to boil pretzels before baking

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Anyone who has tried to make homemade pretzels knows that there is one essential step that you can never skip: boiling your pretzels in baking soda water before baking. Almost every homemade pretzel recipe contains this step—but why? Here, we dig into the science to help you better understand how crucial this step is.

Like bagels, pretzels are made in boiling water prior to baking to give them their snappy outsides and chewy insides (messy!). Soft pretzels must be boiled, or dipped in a baking soda bath (or lye if you’re gusty and strict with your pretzel traditions). THEN, they can be baked.
do you have to boil pretzels before baking

The Power of Baking Soda

Baking soda is an alkaline compound. Alkalis are essentially a basic (the opposite of acidic), ionic salt of an alkali metal. That may sound scary, but don’t worry—many alkali metals are safe to consume! Examples of alkali metals include sodium, potassium, and more.

When you combine alkaline compounds such as baking soda with an acid, they produce carbon dioxide bubbles which helps cooking batter to rise. This is why you add baking soda to cookies, cakes, and more.

Boiling pretzels

FAQ

Why boil pretzel dough?

This bath essentially gelatinizes the outside of the pretzel, preventing it from fully “springing” during baking (as bread does) and giving pretzels their signature chewy crust. It also gives them their unique and indelible “pretzel” flavor.

Do you boil pretzels in baking soda or baking powder?

In a large, wide pot, bring 6 cups water and 2 tablespoons baking soda to a boil. Then, transfer one shaped pretzel to the bath using a slotted spatula and let sit for 1 minute.

Why do you dip pretzels in baking soda water before baking?

As noted above, baking soda is a staple ingredient for making homemade pretzels. Dunking your pretzels in a baking soda bath prior to baking is what enables them to develop their distinctive color and crispy-on-the-outside, chewy-on-the-inside texture.

Are hard pretzels boiled?

It turns out that most pretzels are boiled, often in a lye solution, before baking to ensure that the exterior comes out just right.

Can You boil pretzels?

Yes, but the resulting pretzels won’t be what you’re used to. Boiling the dough causes it to instantly puff, creating a chewy interior and giving the exterior a head start on forming a crisp crust. The baking soda also produces pretzels with a deep golden brown and cracked appearance. Don’t skip it!

Do you boil pretzels in baking soda?

Boiling homemade pretzels in a baking soda solution gives them their signature brown outer crust while keeping the interior soft and bready. They also add a bit of flavor that’s unique to soft pretzels.

Can you freeze boiled pretzels?

Put 4 pretzels at a time into the boiling water, and cook for 1 minute. Transfer boiled pretzels to the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the pretzels with salt, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pretzels are well-browned. Store, well-wrapped, for up to 3 days on the counter, and freeze for up to a month.

How do you cook a fried pretzel?

In a large, wide pot, bring 6 cups water and 2 tablespoons baking soda to a boil. Then, transfer one shaped pretzel to the bath using a slotted spatula and let sit for 1 minute. Then move the pretzel to a cooling rack on top of parchment paper. This allows any excess solution to drip away.

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