This copycat recipe for soft pretzels is inspired by Auntie Anne’s soft pretzel nuggets. They make a great after school snack and are a fun way to start cooking with kids.
One of our favorite things at the mall are the Auntie Anne’s soft pretzels. We’ve enjoyed many of the varieties, but my kids’ favorite is the pretzel nuggets. I decided to try making them at home and have my kids help me. Vanessa was really excited, but Zack was hesitant to do it with us, but once we got going he really enjoyed it.
First, dissolve 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in 1 ½ cups warm water
Stir in 4 cups of flour. I used my Kitchen Aid and dough hook.
Knead until smooth and elastic. I let my mixer do the work but this could also be done by hand in the traditional way.
Place dough in a well oiled bowl and turn to coat.
Cover and let rise for one hour until doubled in size.
Preheat oven to 425°F. Turn dough onto floured surface.
Pat down and cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a rope and cut into small sections.
Dissolve ¼ cup of baking soda in 2 cups of warm water.
Dip pretzel pieces into baking soda solution.
Place on a greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle pieces with kosher salt.
Bake for 7-8 minutes until golden brown.
Dip each nugget in melted butter and they are ready to eat! We tried sprinkling on additional kosher salt, but it was too much. The kids also tried sprinkling on cinnamon and sugar which they thought was delicious as well!
I quickly folded a paper cup and the kids ran some pretzel nuggets over to our neighbor. Everyone thought they were delicious and my kids keep asking to make them again.
Auntie Anne’s Copycat Soft Pretzel Nuggets
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 4 cups flour
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon pretzel salt for topping
- ½ cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast, sugar and salt in 1 1/2 cups warm water.
- Stir in flour.
- Knead until smooth and elastic.
- Place dough in a well oiled bowl and turn to coat.
- Cover and let rise for one hour.
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Turn dough onto floured surface. Pat down and cut into 12 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a rope and cut into small sections.
- Dissolve baking soda in 2 cups warm water.
- Dip dough pieces into baking soda solution.
- Place pieces on a greased cookie sheet.
- Sprinkle with pretzel salt.
- Bake at 425˚F for 7-8 minutes until golden brown.
- Dip each nugget in melted butter after baking.
Notes
Nutrition
recipe inspired by Mall Pretzels
Looking for other after school snacks?
Try making Baked Mozzarella Cheese Sticks or Mini Fruit Pizza
Beth says
Oh my goodness. Delicious. Made these yesterday- made the dough in my bread machine and then popped the bites in the oven. So so yummy. I’ll be making these again. Thanks for sharing!
Holly says
If I wanted to par bake a batch of these, freeze them, and finish them off a handful at a time, what would you suggest?
Tonia says
I would bake them completely and then warm them up as you want to eat them. Like the soft pretzels in the freezer section of the grocery store. ~Tonia
Beth says
These look great. Did you use all purpose flour or bread flour?
Tonia says
Hello Beth, I used all purpose flour. Happy Baking! ~Tonia
Beth says
Thank you Tonia for sharing this recipe! I made them this weekend for my boys and they were absolutely fabulous. My son did the same thing and filled a cup full of them and ran them across the street to share them with his little friend because they were so delicious. We are making them again this weekend for some friends coming over for a play date.
Kristin says
I worked at Wetzel’s Pretzels back in high school and this is exactly how we made them (minus dumping the risen dough on a floured surface– I think our counters were nonstick somehow). I can’t wait to make these and compare the flavor and texture! I loooooove soft pretzels.
Tonia says
I’ve never tried Wetzel’s Pretzels but the last time I was at the Mall of America they were building one! I can’t wait to try them!
Joan says
Loved your receipe, so easy and delicious., great options for older kids. Thank you for sharing, our little 11/2 year old can have a nutritious and fun snack too. Joan
Najai Jackson says
So if you want to use cinnamon and sugar instead of salt do you still put it on before you put it the oven?
Tonia says
No, I skip the salt! 🙂 Here is my Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzel Recipe: http://www.thegunnysack.com/cinnamon-sugar-soft-pretzel-sticks/
Sehar says
These look delicious! Can they be stored and had later? Have to try these soo….i was craving these when i got back home from the USA
Tonia says
They can be but they are best when eaten fresh.
julie says
These are awesome lady!
Tonia says
Thanks Julie!
Beth @ The First Year says
I love being able to make them at home!
Temperence says
We made this recipe and LOVED IT! It was so easy and delicious. They disapeared quickly. 🙂
I’m going to add them to my christmas giveaway treat bags this year!
Thanks!
Crystal says
These are so good; we’ve made them twice this week! We brush them with olive oil instead of butter to make them vegan. Great recipe!
Tonia says
Thanks Crystal! I love hearing that. I am planning to make these this week because it has been too long since we’ve had them!
christie says
Look great. How many do they make? I would like to make for my daughters first grade snack, but it is a very large class…28 kids.
Also have you made any good dips for them?
Tonia says
Hi Christie,
I would guess that it makes about 72 nuggets. It really depends on how small you cut the pieces. As far as the dip goes, my kids prefer cheese dip with their pretzel nuggets. I would suggest buying cheese dip that is made for chips because you don’t have to try to keep it warm for her class. If you are looking for something homemade you could try making my pizza fondue or Nutella fondue: http://www.thegunnysack.com/2012/12/family-meals-pizza-fondue-nutella-fondue.html Thanks for stopping by!
~Tonia
Renee Louise says
My grandchildren loooved these & I know I will be making them every time they come over!
Tonia says
Wonderful! I am so happy to hear that!
JJP says
Just made these for an adult party and they were a huge hit!! Sent the website on to 3 different people. They were so delicious and I made a few dipping sauces to go with them. These are a total keeper! Thanks for sharing!
admin says
I am so happy to hear that! Thanks for stopping back to let me know. My daughter made them recently for a bunch of her friends and they love them too!
Michelle says
I just finished making these!! I put salt on them after I dipped them in butter, not before, and I put cinnamon and sugar on some of them too!! I must say I like the salt better! I was worried because I didn’t think the dough rose enough even though I left it for 1.5 hours, but they turned out *amazing*!! Thank you so much!! They were super easy 🙂
Tracy Wright says
Just made these–so easy peasy! I’ll never pay $3.50 for a mall pretzel again! Thanks
Tonia L says
Glad they turned out for you too!
Angie S says
holey moley made these over the weekend and they were a HUGE HUGE hit around the home and neighborhood. I highly enjoyed your step by step tutorial it helped tremendously. THANKS for a great new food in our home
Tonia L says
Yay! I’m so glad you loved them as much as we did!
Tracy Johnson says
These were so wonderful!!! I topped them off with 3 options for my kids (and me). 1. Salt 2. Nacho Cheese 3. Cin-Sugar. I think #3 was my favorite. Great party or movie night treat!
Tracy Johnson says
P.S. The best thing is that I had everything to make them on hand…no extra trips to the store.
Tonia L says
Those all sound like wonderful toppings! Thanks for stopping back to let us know you tried them!
Renee Hagloch says
I would love for you to link this up to my Tutorial Link Party today!!!TUTORIAL LINK PARTYhttp://www.thecreativeorchard.blogspot.com/2012/08/tutorial-link-party.html
Becki says
I am going to try doing the dough on the dough cycle in my bread machine since my kneading is awful and I don’t own a mixer.