Homemade Soft Pretzels

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1.25 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C), or more as needed
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup white sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, or more as needed
• 4 cups hot water
• 0.5 cup baking soda
• 0.25 cup kosher salt, for topping

Steps

1. Dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1 ¼ cups warm water in a medium bowl; let stand until yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam, about 10 minutes.
2. Combine flour, ½ cup sugar, and 1 ½ teaspoons salt in a large bowl; make a well in the center. Add yeast mixture and 1 tablespoon oil to the well; mix well and form into a dough. If mixture is dry, add 1 or 2 more tablespoons water.
3. Knead dough until smooth, about 7 minutes. Lightly oil a large bowl; place dough in the oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap; let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
4. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease 2 baking sheets.
5. Pour 4 cups hot water into a large bowl; stir in baking soda until dissolved. Set aside.
6. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope; twist into a pretzel shape.
7. Once all dough is shaped, dip each pretzel into hot water-baking soda solution; place on the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
8. Bake in preheated oven until browned, about 8 minutes.
9. Enjoy!