Homemade Soft Sourdough Pizza Pretzels

Soft pretzels are a one of the most heavenly sourdough recipes you can make and these Sourdough Pizza Pretzels take them up another level! They are soft, chewy, cheesy and pure heaven. Perfect for lunches or snacking any time of day.

My husband is a lover of all things savoury sourdough so I am always making up delicious salt snacks he can enjoy. He loves my sourdough soft pretzels so I figure he’d love a sourdough pizza pretzel even more. Everything you love about a classic soft pretzel but with all your favorite pizza toppings including homemade pizza sauce!

Soft pretzels are actually great beginner friendly sourdough recipe that turns out great every time. You simply start my mixing the dough together. Then, let it rest over night for about 10-12 hours. Once it has more than doubled in size, dump the dough out and cut it into 12 pieces. Take each piece and roll it into a long skinny log. Twist the logs into pretzels then let them have a finally rest to get nice and puffy. While they rest you can prep all your pizza toppings, then simply do a quick boil on the pretzels and layer on all the toppings you like. They only take 12 minutes to bake and you have the most delicious pizza pretzels!

This recipe is great if you are looking for make ahead snacks or lunches for kids. You can make a large batch and store them in the freezer or fridge, and pull them out as needed. They can be customized to the exact flavours your kids like, aaaaaand even the adults will enjoy them too!

Tips For Making Soft Sourdough Pizza Pretzels

1. Use a strong, active sourdough starter that has been fed a 1:4:4 ratio about 8-10 hours before you make the dough. This ensures you get a beautiful rise for nice soft and fluffy pretzels.
2. Because there is no folding of this dough, make sure you give it a good solid 6-8 minutes of kneading. This helps develop the gluten structure in the dough, and give it that perfect texture.
3. When boiling pretzels, you want to be quick. Just 30 seconds a side is all you need as you are not trying to cook the bagels.

Soft Sourdough Pizza Bagel Ingredients

Sourdough Starter– As mentioned above you want a nice strong, fed starter that has reached its peak.

Flour– Unbleached all purpose flour or bread flour works. Whichever you use to make sourdough.

Sugar– You need just a touch in the dough and for boiling the bagels. Can sub with honey if you like.

Salt– Any fine salt will work.

Baking Soda– This is an essential part necessary for boiling the pretzels to give that classic texture.

Pizza Sauce- I make homemade with just tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil and some spices. You can use store bought if you like.

Cheese- Mozzarella and cheddar are my preferred combo but use any cheese you like.

Toppings– Any additional toppings you like ie: pepperoni, ham, bacon, onion, fresh basil.

The Steps

Make the Dough

1. Start by adding the sourdough starter, flour, water, sugar and salt to a bowl or bowl of a stand mixer. Mix by hand or with a dough hook attachment until the dough is well combined.
2. Then, allow the dough to knead for about 6 minutes in the mixer or knead it by hand for 7-8 minutes until it is smooth.
3. Place the dough back into the bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and let it rise for about 12 hours or until doubled-tripled in size. See photos.

1. Once the dough has proofed, dump it onto a clean work surface and cut it into 12 roughly even sized pieces. About 85-90g each if you are measuring.

Shape & Rise

1. Take one of the pieces of dough and roll it into a long skinny log, making it about 1/2 an inch thick.
2. Then take each end, pull them up above the center of the log, and cross them over each other. Twist the ends once to make the pretzel twist, then grab the two end and pull them down towards you, placing them on either side of the center. Gently press them into the dough underneath so that the pretzel doesn’t come apart.

1. Repeat this process with all twelve pretzels. See photos for step by step visual.
2. Place all of the pretzels on a baking sheet with parchment, a couples inches apart from each other. I like to grease the parchment or sprinkle a dusting of flour over it before laying the pretzels on top so that they don’t stick.
3. Cover the trays with plastic wrap and let rest in a warm spot for about 60-75 minutes or until nice and puffy.

Bake

1. Once they have puffed up, preheat your oven to 400F, and fill a large pot with water, 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 tbsp of brown sugar.
2. Bring the pot of water to a gentle boil, then place a couple pretzels in the water at a time. Allow them to boil for about 45 seconds, then flip, and boil for another 45 seconds.
3. Remove the pretzels from the water and place onto a wire rack so that the excess water can drip off.
4. Finally, spread a spoonful of pizza sauce on top of each pretzel followed by a handful of shredded cheese and any other toppings you like.
5. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden on the edges. Remove from the oven, top with fresh basil, and enjoy!

If you give this recipe a try, leave a comment or a recipe review below!

Looking for more fun recipes to make with your sourdough starter?

https://cmbarndominium.com/mixed-berry-sourdough-focaccia-muffins/

https://cmbarndominium.com/perfectly-soft-gooey-sourdough-monkey-bread/

https://cmbarndominium.com/must-make-sourdough-naan-breakfast-pizzas/