Description
This recipe creates warm, chewy soft pretzels with a distinctive za’atar blend and hint of olive oil, delivering bakery-quality taste and texture. It’s an easy, family-friendly project perfect for healthy eating.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups warm water (105–115 degrees F)
- 2.25 teaspoons instant dry yeast (check freshness for optimal results)
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar (honey is a fine swap if you prefer)
- 1.75 teaspoons fine sea salt (enhances overall flavor)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (for dough)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (for brushing)
- 0.25 cup baking soda (for the signature dark pretzel crust)
- 8 cups water (for alkali bath)
- 2 tablespoons za’atar blend (divided, for aromatic savory notes)
- 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt (for topping)
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir gently; let sit 5-10 minutes until foamy, showing active yeast.
- Mix And Knead Dough: Add flour, fine sea salt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 tablespoon za’atar to the yeast mixture. Mix, then knead for 8-10 minutes until dough is smooth, elastic, and not sticky.
- First Dough Rise: Oil a bowl, add the dough, and cover. Let rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes until visibly doubled.
- Prepare Oven And Bath: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line baking sheets. Bring 8 cups of water to a gentle simmer in a pot, then add baking soda until dissolved.
- Shape The Pretzels: Punch down the risen dough, then divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 20 inch rope, then shape into a traditional pretzel knot.
- Baking Soda Bath: Immerse one pretzel at a time in the simmering bath for 30 seconds, flipping once. Remove with a slotted spoon, letting excess liquid drain.
- Brush And Top Pretzels: Brush the tops of the pretzels with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon za’atar and coarse sea salt evenly over the pretzels.
- Bake To Golden: Bake for 12-15 minutes until deep golden brown with a firm, shiny crust. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
- Garnish And Serve: Arrange cooled pretzels on a platter. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil in a zig-zag pattern, then scatter fresh parsley for color contrast.
Notes
Check yeast freshness if dough doesn’t rise. Shaping pretzels is a fun, family-friendly activity. Store cooled pretzels in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel
- Calories: 300 calories
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: soft pretzels, homemade, za'atar, olive oil, easy, family-friendly, savory, chewy, baking, bread