Vegan Soft Pretzel Recipe
Ginny McMeans
Published:
January 5, 2019
Last Modified:
May 8, 2024
Homemade Soft Pretzels are delicious appetizers that get you in ‘game day’ mode. They are simple, oil-free, dairy-free, and healthy. Don’t forget the mustard!
You know how inviting those giant soft pretzels are at sports events, shows and fairs? I always seem to have to buy one.
For some reason soft pretzels make me think I am having fun. Maybe because I first discovered them at carnivals and movie theaters.
Then they showed up in malls and to me, it is always a good time shopping.
I think these delicious savory homemade soft pretzels will get you in a celebratory mood too.
But do you know they aren’t hard to make at all? They can be made healthier too. These pretzels don’t have any butter, oil or dairy.
Just look at them!
For quite a few years I only dreamt that I could make soft pretzels at home even though I was already a bread maker. They were elusive to me.
Finally, I pulled up my bootstraps and set off for the kitchen. I took out the yeast and just stared and then took out the flour and stared some more.
Guess I forgot to roll up my sleeves.
An idea came to mind so I began. It started with whole wheat flour. Man, the little suckers weren’t hard at all.
You can Make Soft Pretzels as Giant as you Like.
- Just roll out a longer roll of dough.
- You see how I twisted the pretzels in an easy cross-your-arms shape? That is from the 14” tenth of dough rope.
- If you go to 16” or 18” ropes your pretzels will be thinner and larger. If you do this you may want to twist the center arms once in the middle and then reach down to the bottom of the pretzel.
- This will make them stronger. The 16” ones probably don’t need an extra twist but the 18” length might.
Mustard is the original condiment that was always served with soft pretzels. But now that you can make them at home I’ve discovered even more dipping options.
What Dips Go Good with Soft Pretzels?
We’ll start with classic bright yellow mustard.
Any other mustard you can find. Something like sweet-hot mustard would be great.
Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing – it’s is the best and here is an easy homemade recipe.
Ooey gooey nacho cheese dip and there are many vegan recipes.
What’s all the Buzz About Soft Pretzels?
- They’re soft and savory.
- You can dress them up with a dipping sauce
- They’re easy to make at home
- You can change the shape to whatever you like, such as a thinly braided wreath
- This recipe is healthy and delicious
Start the movie!
Homemade Soft Pretzels
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water for yeast – this amount of water has been adjusted, 100-110°
- 4 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup dairy-free milk – for brushing the tops of the prepared pretzels before they bake
- coarse salt – for sprinkling on top of the pretzels
Instructions
- Have parchment paper on 2 baking sheets.
- Dissolve the yeast in 1 1/2 cups of warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Add a tablespoon salt, a teaspoon of sugar and stir.
- Add this mixture to the flour and blend. It will be sticky.
- Turn out the dough on a floured surface.
- Knead until smooth, about 5 to 10 times.
- Divide dough in half, then half again. You will have 4 balls.
- Set all of these 4 balls back in a bowl and cover with a moist paper towel (touching the balls) to help keep them from drying out.
- Take out one ball and recover the rest.
- Divide that one ball into thirds. So eventually, each of the 4 balls will be divided into thirds which will give you 12 balls and will become 12 pretzels.
- Roll out each of those first three balls into a rope about 1″ to 1-1/2″ in diameter and 14″ to 16″ long. Mine were 14″ and they are a little fat.
- Shape into pretzel shapes right on the parchment paper that is already on the cookie sheet.
- Continue with each ball as in the directions above until all the pretzels shapes are done.
- Brush the pretzels with the dairy-free milk a couple at a time and then sprinkle the coarse salt on top while the pretzels are still moist.
- Bake at 425° for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool.
Notes
Nutrition
26 responses to “Vegan Soft Pretzel Recipe”
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I hope you get to make them soon. Thanks for the support.
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You are welcome. Thanks for the compliment.
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I just made these today and they were pretty tasty! Especially with Dijon mustard! I found I had to add a little more water than called for since my dough wasn’t sticky at all. My yeast was also old, which might have been a problem. All in all, a win in our household!
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Wonderful and I love Dijon too. Thanks for the feedback and glad they were tasty. 🙂
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I have not used it but I am sure it will work. It will just rise faster – not instantly.
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These are delicious! I had to add an extra 1/2 cup of water though because it was just too dry to even incorporate all the flour. My family loves them! Thanks for the awesome recipe!
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So glad you enjoyed them so much! I am surprised it was that much water. I’ll have to check them again. You are very welcome.
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So these don’t need to sit & rise at all?
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No not at all. They really rest enough as you are going through and twisting and brushing them and the heat while baking brings them to where they need to be. You can certainly let them sit for 30 minutes if you like.
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Hi I’m just wondering do I use half package of yeast instead cause I only do half batch?
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Yes, everything would be halved.
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Hi, I was just wondering how much ‘1 envelope yeast’ is? Going to make these for my daughter’s kinder lunch 🙂
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Sorry about that! I just changed it in the description too. It is 2-1/4 teaspoons. I think your daughter will love them. 🙂
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Do you think another flour would work? I have Silvia’s gluten free and many others. I have Hashimotos, but really want to make these. Ever try another flour?
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I am not sure what other flour you could use and make it work. I know the liquid is absorbed differently with different flours so it would really take some measuring and testing. Sorry I could not be more help in this area.
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Seriously! They are not hard to make and soooooo yummy fresh! I don’t know why I don’t make these more often! -
I could sure go for one or even three of these!!! Yum! -
They look amazing. Happy movie, they are the perfect companions -
I love the description – that pretzels make you think you are having fun. It’s so true! They are a treat and our kids always ask for them when we are out and about. Yours look great! -
I adore soft pretzels – they are my weakness when I hit my local mall (Hello Aunt Annie’s) but these would be so much better for me – and I wouldn’t have to wait to go to the mall to enjoy these! Delicious! Thanks so much for sharing!
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Woah, these look AMAZING! I’ve only tried making homemade pretzels once, long ago. I’m going to try yours! -
Its so easy to prepare and soooooo yummy and fresh -
I’m not sure how much water to use …..the ingredient lists shows 1 1/2 cups, but the instructions say 1 cup.
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It’s 1 1/2 cups water Julie. I had adjusted the amount and forgot to change it in the instructions. Thanks for the heads up.
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We tried making these, and though they were tasty, they turned out a bit tough. Any idea where we might have gone wrong? Should we have let the dough rest for a time before shaping or baking? Thanks!
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I’m sorry to hear that Rachel My only guess is that possibly they were rolled a little thinner and baked a couple minutes too long. You don’t want to overbake.
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