It’s impossible to resist these homemade pretzels with cheesy mustard dip. They are buttery and warm, these soft pretzels are perfect for tailgating. To make the soft pretzel dough, roll and cut, dump in a baking soda bath, and bake. Don’t skip the baking soda bath because it will give your pretzels that wonderfully authentic golden brown pretzel color. Not only that, the baking soda bath is what gives them their chewy exteriors. Make the pretzel dough by proofing the yeast in warm water with a little sugar, then adding the flour and salt and kneading in a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment for 5 minutes until smooth and soft.

Cover the pretzel dough with plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes. Prepare a baking soda hot water bath while the dough is resting, then divide the pretzel dough into eight equal pieces. Roll each ball of dough into a long rope, then twist into a pretzel shape and dip into the baking soda bath for 20-30 seconds. Sprinkle the pretzels with coarse salt, then bake for 10 minutes until golden brown. Brush the hot pretzels with melted butter. For the mustard, Make a roux with butter and flour by whisking them together in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat, then whisk in milk and cook for about 5 minutes until thickened, but still pourable.

Once thickened, whisk in freshly grated cheddar cheese until melted. Add a tablespoon of your favorite mustard and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar or maple syrup
  • ½ package (1/2 tablespoon) active dry yeast
  • ¾ cup water (1/4 cup for proofing, ½ cup for dough)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive or coconut oil
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon of sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda
  • 6 cups water, in a pot
  • Course salt and bagel seasoning

Instructions;

  1. Heat your water for the active dry yeast to the temperature of warm bath water, mix in your yeast and sugar or syrup and let it rise.
  2. Once it’s activated mix it with salt, oil and flour and mix and knead for about 10 minutes, then let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
  3. Knead it some more and either make pretzel knots or balls, slice down the pieces with a knife so they get slightly bigger in size.
  4. Preheat oven to 450° f.
  5. Let the pretzels pieces rise a bit more before putting them in the boiling water with baking soda.
  6. Once they rise to the top of the pot of boiling water,  take them out, put them on parchment or aluminum lined baking sheet.
  7. Lightly salt or sprinkle with everything but the bagel. or liberally.
  8. Bake the pretzel pieces until they are golden.