Homemade pretzel dogs are a great way to enjoy two of your favorites in one! Delicious chewy, salty soft pretzels wrapped around your favorite hot dog! They make an amazing dinner, lunch or snack! They’re way easier than you think!
Making pretzel dogs at home might seem complicated but it actually pretty easy! The pretzel dough is a basic, foolproof dough, that can be made with pantry staples. This is a great recipe for kids to help with! They can roll the dough out, help wrap the hot dogs and sprinkle with salt! They are fun to make and delicious to eat!
Why we love this recipe-
No need to go to the mall! My boys have always loved getting a pretzel dog at Auntie Ann’s every time we go to the mall! Making them at home is cheaper, and you can enjoy them whenever you want!
They are great to make ahead– You can whip up a batch of these to have for parties, game day, or a weeks worth of lunches! They store well and can even be frozen, so they make the perfect thing to have on hand for any time! They are delicious served with soup like tomato soup or Beer Cheese Soup for an easy dinner.
You can use your favorite hot dogs- These pretzel dogs can be made with any hot dog. So if you love an all beef hot dog, a traditional or bun length hot dog, or even a vegetarian hot dog you can use them to make these!
They are great for dipping! – Dip these in your favorite cheese sauce or spicy mustard! They are great dipped in any traditional hot dog topping or your favorite dipping sauce.
- Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Soft Pretzel Bites
- Everything Bagel Scones
- Easy Delicious Pretzel Rolls
FAQ & Tips for Success
How do I store leftovers?
These are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also wrap them individually in a paper towel then plastic wrap so they are ready to reheat easily. Just remove the plastic, and microwave the pretzel dog wrapped in the paper towel.
Can I freeze these?
Yes! These make a great make ahead meal. To freeze- allow them to cool completely, then wrap in a layer of plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
How do I reheat them?
From refrigerated- wrap in a paper towel and microwave for about 30 seconds. From frozen- wrap in a paper towel and microwave for 1-2 minutes. (Heating time will vary based on your microwave) You can also reheat them in the oven. Heat the oven to 350 and place the pretzel dogs on a baking sheet. From refrigerated heat for about 5 minutes, from frozen heat for about 10.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes! If you prefer whole wheat flour you can use it for this recipe. However it will change the texture of your pretzels a bit, they will be denser and not as fluffy. You can also swap out half of the all purpose flour for whole wheat flour so that the texture doesn’t change dramatically but you get the nutrition benefits of whole wheat.
What else can I top these with?
I know some people don’t love a ton of salt on their pretzels so you might want to top them with something else. These are delicious topped with sesame seeds, or everything bagel seasoning. They are also tasty with a light sprinkle of garlic powder or minced onion.
Why do I need baking soda in the water?
Placing the pretzel dough in a baking soda bath helps the dough to puff quickly which gives it a head start in cooking and creating the nice soft texture inside and then baking adds the crisp crust.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this pretzel dog recipe-
For the Pretzel Dough
2 ¼ tsp or One Packet of Yeast– Make sure your yeast is fresh or your dough won’t rise properly.
1 Tbsp Sugar- You can use regular white sugar, cane sugar or even brown sugar
4 Tbsp Melted Butter– You can use salted or unsalted butter
1 Cup Warm Water– Not too hot or it will kill your yeast. You want it to be around 100-110 degrees.
2 tsp Salt
4-5 Cups Flour– Use all purpose flour.
About 15 Hot Dogs– You can use your favorite brand. If you use bun length hot dogs you’ll need less.
For Cooking-
10 Cups Water
½ Cup Baking Soda
1 Egg
1 tsp Cold Water
1-2 Tbsp Coarse Salt– You can use pretzel salt, kosher salt, or coarse sea salt
Here’s how to make these easy pretzel dogs-
First we’re going to make the dough.
Add your warm water and sugar the bowl of a stand mixer stir to dissolve sugar. Sprinkle yeast across the top of the water and leave it for about 5 minutes. The yeast will start to foam.
Attach a dough hook to a stand mixer.
Add melted butter, salt and half of the flour to your mixing bowl. Mix on low speed until flour is incorporated (about 2-3 minutes) gradually add more flour until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl and isn’t as sticky. The exact amount of flour you will need will vary depending on how much moisture is in your flour, the environment etc. I usually use about 4 ½ cups of flour, just add it gradually and pay attention to your dough.
Turn up the speed to medium and allow to knead for about 5 minutes. If you prefer to knead by hand you can turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover loosely, set in a warm place and let rise for about an hour in or until doubled in size.
Once the dough has risen it is time to make the pretzel dogs.
Preheat the oven to 425 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place dough on a clean, lightly floured work surface. Divide dough into 15 equal pieces.
Take one of your pieces of dough and roll it into a long rope shape about 15 inches long.
Pat a hot dog dry with paper towels.
Starting at one end of the hot dog wrap the piece of dough around it and gently press. Continue wrapping the dough around the hot dog until it is completely wrapped. Gently press the end to secure it in place.
Repeat with the remaining hot dogs until all are covered with pretzel dough.
Place the 10 cups of water and ½ cup baking soda in a large stock pot on the stove and bring it to a boil.
Set your prepared baking sheet on the counter next to the stove.
Gently place a pretzel dog in the boiling water and cook for about 30 seconds. Using a slotted spatula or slotted spoon gently lift the pretzel out of the water and place the boiled pretzel dogs on the baking sheet.
Repeat with the remainder of the pretzel dogs. Placing them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. You may need to use 2 cookie sheets or work in batches.
Once they are all boiled it is time to bake them.
In a small bowl whisk together the egg and 1 tsp water until well mixed.
Using a brush coat the pretzels evenly with a thin coat of the egg mixture. Sprinkle on coarse salt as desired.
Place the baking sheet in the oven for about 15 minutes or until pretzels are a lovely deep golden brown.
Allow to cool until warm before serving. The inside is very hot right out of the oven.
Serve warm
Store refrigerated in an air tight container.
Homemade Pretzel Dogs
Ingredients
- For the Dough
- 2 ¼ tsp or One Packet of Yeast
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 4 Tbsp Butter melted
- 1 Cup Warm Water
- 2 tsp Salt
- 4-5 Cups Flour
- About 15 Hot Dogs
- For Cooking-
- 10 Cups Water
- ½ Cup Baking Soda
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp cold water
- 1-2 Tbsp Coarse Salt
Instructions
- First we’re going to make the dough.
- Add your warm water and sugar the bowl of a stand mixer stir to dissolve sugar. Sprinkle yeast across the top of the water and leave it for about 5 minutes. The yeast will start to foam.
- Attach a dough hook to a stand mixer.
- Add melted butter, salt and half of the flour to your mixing bowl. Mix on low speed until flour is incorporated (about 2-3 minutes) gradually add more flour until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl and isn’t as sticky. The exact amount of flour you will need will vary depending on how much moisture is in your flour, the environment etc. I usually use about 4 ½ cups of flour, just add it gradually and pay attention to your dough.
- Turn up the speed to medium and allow to knead for about 5 minutes. If you prefer to knead by hand you can turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover loosely, set in a warm place and let rise for about an hour in or until doubled in size.
- Once the dough has risen it is time to make the pretzel dogs.
- Preheat the oven to 425 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place dough on a clean, lightly floured work surface. Divide dough into 15 equal pieces.
- Take one of your pieces of dough and roll it into a long rope shape about 15 inches long.
- Pat a hot dog dry with paper towels.
- Starting at one end of the hot dog wrap the piece of dough around it and gently press. Continue wrapping the dough around the hot dog until it is completely wrapped. Gently press the end to secure it in place.
- Repeat with the remaining hot dogs until all are covered with pretzel dough.
- Place the 10 cups of water and ½ cup baking soda in a large stock pot on the stove and bring it to a boil.
- Set your prepared baking sheet on the counter next to the stove.
- Gently place a pretzel dog in the boiling water and cook for about 30 seconds. Using a slotted spatula or slotted spoon gently lift the pretzel out of the water and place the boiled pretzel dogs on the baking sheet.
- Repeat with the remainder of the pretzel dogs. Placing them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. You may need to use 2 cookie sheets or work in batches.
- Once they are all boiled it is time to bake them.
- In a small bowl whisk together the egg and 1 tsp water until well mixed.
- Using a brush coat the pretzels evenly with a thin coat of the egg mixture. Sprinkle on coarse salt as desired.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven for about 15 minutes or until pretzels are a lovely deep golden brown.
- Allow to cool until warm before serving. The inside is very hot right out of the oven.
- Serve warm
- Store refrigerated in an air tight container.
[…] Pretzel Dogs […]