Our copycat Auntie Anne’s pretzels are so delicious and easy to make. Make pretzel shapes or pretzel bites in a variety of flavors!
Watch our step by step video!
These no-boil soft baked pretzels are one of our FAVORITE things to make. My boys asked me to make a big batch to take to a party this afternoon so it was the perfect time to snap a few updated photos and refresh this post that is almost 12 years old! My friend just texted me and said that all of the boys are devouring the pretzels at the party and they'd like the recipe!
Years ago, before the days of Pinterest, it wasn't as easy to find amazing recipes online! I actually had a website that I'd go to and occasionally buy them. Can you believe that? This Auntie Anne's copycat no-boil soft-baked pretzels recipe cost me a whopping $.89 in 2007. It's been worth every penny, lol. The measurements are a bit odd, as you'll see, but just go with it. We like making them into pretzel bites or pretzel rolls, too! I've had a few readers say that these and the pretzel bites are better than mall pretzels, and I agree. They are soft and so buttery! If you feel intimidated by making large pretzels, start with the pretzel bites! Fool proof always cooks evenly and just as delicious.
No Boil Pretzels
I don't mind boiling dough in recipes when I feel it's really necessary. I boil my homemade parmesan bagels and that's what gives them their chewy texture, but for these pretzels, a warm/hot bath in water and baking soda works just fine and saves time!
This recipe makes 6-10 pretzels depending on how big you want them to be. I prefer making 8 pretzels per batch, and rolling the dough out 24-28". You're looking for a LONG skinny rope to twist into the pretzel shape. If your rope is too short your pretzels will still be delicious but will puff up more and look like rolls.
Auntie Anne’s Copycat Soft Pretzel Recipe
No Boil Soft Baked Pretzels Recipe
Auntie Anne's copycat soft baked pretzels are so delicious and easy to make. Make pretzel shapes or pretzel bites in a variety of flavors! No boiling required.
Print
Pin
Rate
Servings: 8
Calories: 190kcal
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups warm water
- 1 Tablespoon plus ¼ tsp. active dry yeast
- 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cups plus 2 T powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil plus more for oiling bowl
- melted butter for brushing
- kosher salt
- 2-3 Tablespoons cinnamon and sugar for sprinkling optional
Pretzel Bath:
- 2 cup hot water
- ¼ cup baking soda
Instructions
- Dissolve yeast in the warm water in a small bowl or cup. Let sit for a few minutes.
- Combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add water with yeast and vegetable oil. Stir with a spoon or Danish dough whisk and then use your hands to form the dough into a ball. (Can also mix in stand mixer with paddle and dough hook).
- Knead the dough for a few minutes on a lightly floured surface. Dough will be nice and smooth when it's ready. Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl (1 Tbsp) cover it, and store it in a warm place for 1 hour or until the dough doubles in size.
- When dough has risen, preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- Make a baking soda bath for the pretzels by combining the baking soda with the hot water and stir until baking soda is mostly dissolved.
- Remove the dough from the bowl and cut into 8 pieces.
- Shape the soft baked pretzels as follows:
- Roll each section into a long 24"-28" rope.
- Bring the ends up and twist twice.
- Bring the ends down and pinch firmly.
- Dip each pretzel into the water bath solution. Drip dry. Arrange on 2 baking sheets that have been sprayed with non stick cooking spray or covered with parchment paper.
- If you want salted pretzels, sprinkle pretzels with coarse salt. Don't salt any pretzels that you plan to coat with cinnamon sugar.
- Bake one pan at a time. Bake 5 minutes, then spin the pan halfway around and bake another 4 or 5 minutes or until golden.
- Remove from oven and brush with melted butter.
- If you want the cinnamon/sugar coating, brush with butter and sprinkle heave coating of cinnamon/sugar onto the entire surface of the pretzel.
Notes
*The baking soda separates from the water easily. So stir it every couple of minutes as you are dipping the pretzels to make sure that there is an even distribution of powder/water mix on each pretzel.
*The original recipe makes 8, but I like making 12 smaller pretzels. It's up to you!
*If you want the cinnamon/sugar coating, brush with butter and sprinkle a heavy coating of cinnamon/sugar onto the entire surface of the pretzel.
Nutrition
Calories: 190kcal
How many pretzels does one batch make?
8-10 pretzels.
Can I use this no boil soft baked pretzels recipe to make pretzel bites?
What do you put on soft baked pretzels?
The options are endless! My favorite toppings are kosher salt and butter, but you can add garlic powder with parmesan cheese, cinnamon and sugar, pepperoni and mozzarella cheese, jalapeño slices---pretty much ANYTHING. Dip in cheese sauce, mustard, or eat plain!
Do I need to use an egg wash to get golden brown pretzels?
Not with this recipe! I'd definitely recommend brushing with butter at the end. It makes all the difference.
How do you reheat a soft pretzel?
Store pretzels in an airtight container or plastic bag. To reheat these pretzels, simply microwave for about 8 seconds. Most will be eaten the first day so you won't even need to worry about leftovers!
Looking for some creative dipping sauces for your soft baked pretzels? Here are 5 easy dipping sauce recipes in 5 minutes from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.
Patricia says
For the flour part it says add 3 of flour so do I add 3 more cups?
Brandy says
Hi! I'm not sure where you're seeing that? It's 3 3/4 cups of flour total.
Pamela says
Can you use this for pretzel dogs.
Brandy says
Yep! We’ve made them a few times this way for mummy dogs at Halloween. Wrap the hotdog then dip in the baking soda/hot water solution before baking.
Chrissy Harris says
Just made them - one the dough feels very tough - and I bake bread and have made pretzels before. Was hard to work with - two the pretzels at least mine are small - just me? Interested to see how they taste!
Brandy says
The dough isn't as elastic as other bread dough recipes, but should have been able to form the into shapes. I hope they are tasty for you! 🙂
Melissa Scott says
These are delicious! I'd really like to make a hard pretzel version with a longer shelf life. Any thoughts on how to incorporate this recipe into a hard pretzel one? Thanks!
Brandy says
I'm so glad you liked them! That's a good question. I've never thought of doing that and am not really sure how to go about that!
Elizabeth says
I have my dough rising....
Where is the link for the video for the pretzels?
Thank you
Brandy says
Hi Elizabeth! The video is embedded in the post. Do you have a pop-up or ad blocker on your browser? Otherwise it should play automatically.
Brielleziman says
I love these!!! I tried making pretzels before with boiling and it did not work...I tired these and they were amazing! I served them with garlic butter.
Brandy says
I'm SO glad you enjoy the recipe as much as we do!!
The Freshman Cook says
You had me at "no boiling"! YUM! Thank you for sharing at Celebrate It!
gail says
I love those pretzels from the Mall! I'm pinning this so I can try this someday.
Featuring your recipe on Talk of the Town next week! Thanks for sharing with us there!
gail
Maritza says
Yum! I love Auntie Ann's pretzels! Can't wait to try this recipe!
Brandy @ Gluesticks says
Chantal, I've made them using 100% whole WHITE wheat flour since it is lighter in baking and they were really good. I just made the pretzel sticks, not the knotted ones (too lazy, and the time I made them like the real pretzels was the time they came out a little doughy too). I'll have to try making some garlic ones! Thanks!
Patricia says
Just a question recipe calls for powdered sugar why?
Brandy says
The recipe I purchased years ago called for powdered sugar. I'm not sure why, but these turn out delicious!
C says
Excellent, just made them but rolled & knotted to make as garlic knots which came out a bit dense but very good. Do you think the recipe would work the same with using just whole wheat flour? That used to be my favorite Aunt Anns pretzels but they are so hard to find anymore.
Thanks for posting, Chantal