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4.84 from 6 votes

Homemade Pretzel Rolls

These are uniquely delicious for hamburger buns and all kinds of sandwiches.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Resting time for dough:2 hours
Course: bread
Cuisine: German
Servings: 8

Equipment

  • A standing mixer outfitted with the dough hook (if not mixing and kneading by hand)
  • A large parchment- or silicone mat-lined baking sheet
  • A large pan or soup pot for the hot water bath

Ingredients

For the dough

  • 1 1/2 cups warm water
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry or instant yeast
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

For the poaching liquid

  • 10 cups water
  • 1/3 cup baking soda

For finishing

  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Optional: kosher salt for sprinkling

Instructions

  • In the bowl of the standing mixer, whisk together the water, yeast, salt, sugar, butter. Add the flour, and then blend at low speed until combined -- about 30 seconds. Increase speed to "medium," and knead until the dough cleans the bowl -- 3-5 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let the dough rise in a warm location until doubled in volume -- about 90 minutes.
  • Deflate the dough and scrape it onto a non-floured work surface. Form the dough into a rough rectangle, and then cut it into 8 equal-size pieces. Form the pieces into rolls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let rise until nearly doubled in volume -- about 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in the large pan or soup pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Then reduce the heat so the water just simmers. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • A little at a time, add the 1/3 cup baking soda to the simmering water (the water will foam). Then place 2 or 3 rolls in the water bath, and let them poach for 30 seconds on each side. Transfer the rolls to the baking sheet. (Or, use a fresh parchment- or silicone mat-lined baking sheet. Poach the remaining rolls.
  • Brush the poached rolls with the beaten egg. Then, if desired, sprinkle the rolls with kosher salt -- just a pinch for each roll. Use a sharp knife to cut two 1-inch long, 1/4-inch deep slashes on top of the rolls.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the rolls puff, the slashes split, and the tops brown attractively -- 15-20 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.