Well, add pretzels to the list of dishes like hamburgers and stollen to thank Germany for; it gets the credit for another delicious snack that everyone loves.
People of all age groups like to eat them because they are a perfect blend of smooth and salty. Usually, they are available in all supermarkets, but if you want, then you can easily make one at home.
1. What Are Pretzels?
A pretzel can simply be defined as a crisp-knotted snack loved globally. People usually make them from flour and use yeast to ferment the dough. Even though they are salty, you need to add some sugar to them to balance the flavours.
2. Difference Between Soft Pretzels And Crunchy Pretzels
Both soft pretzels and crunchy pretzels are available to us, and we can choose one of them, or we can have both. They both have different properties and different methods to make them, but the ingredients also stay the same.
To make the soft pretzel you need to use warm water because more water means softer the dough will be. Also, remember to bake them for a little while, just like we make bread. You can choose to put something in between the roll of the dough to add an exciting element.ย
Now, to make the crunchy, hard pretzels, use less water to knit the dough. Ensure that the dough is tight and not like the dough of the soft pretzels.
When you put them in the oven to bake, make them stay inside for about 7-20 minutes at the same temperature. They make them crunchy in texture by preparing them this way to ensure they remain the same for a long time.
We can take them with us while travelling because they donโt need to be in the fridge to avoid getting bad. Please be mindful of the ingredients used to make the crunchy pretzels because they will lose moisture when we bake them for a long time in the oven.
3. How Do You Make Perfect Pretzels?
The main ingredient to make pretzels is flour, but you will need some salt and sugar along with some yeast. They use yeast to ferment the dough, making it fluffy and trapping air in it.
Donโt forget the unsalted butter, which is essential to make it creamy and tasty. You have to start by making dough. To make that, mix flour with salt, sugar, and some butter.
Donโt forget the yeast! Add some room-temperature water and knead the dough until itโs smooth. When done, keep the dough aside by covering the bowl with plastic wrap to give the yeast enough time to work on it.ย
Start making balls out of the pretzel dough, take one small ball at once and roll it into a stick with the help of your hand. Now, carefully turn the sticks into your desired pretzel shape.
When everything is ready, take a baking sheet, grease some oil or butter, and put the pretzels on the cooking sheet. Keep them at a uniform distance to avoid sticking with each other while baking.
Once ready, you can either sprinkle some salt on the pretzels or enjoy them as they are. They are tasty when they are still a little warm.
You can also fill something in between the dough to add some flavours and texture, like cheese, mustard sauce, or something else you like.
4. Perfecting Pretzels: The Art of Kneading, Boiling, And Authentic Texture
Pretzels are a great snack to enjoy any time of the day, but wouldnโt it be more fun to try them with different things?
In this section, we will make you familiar with a few things that you can try with your pretzels, and they will not disappoint you.
4.1. Hummus
Hummus has a very creamy texture, and that makes it perfect to pair with pretzels. There is hummus available in the markets, but it is better to make it at home. We would need some ingredients to make hummus, like garlic, chickpeas, tahini, salt, and lemon juice.ย
You can start by taking a mixture and putting some chickpeas and chopped garlic in it. Start the mixture and blend it until it turns into a fine powder.
If someone doesnโt have fresh garlic cloves, then use garlic powder. When it is ready, add some shredded ice along with the tahini, salt, and lemon juice to the mixture.
Mix them for some time, and they will be thick and ready to take out of the mixture. Now you can serve it in a small bowl and serve it with your soft pretzels or crunchy pretzels.ย
4.2. Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Chocolate can be a great choice to try out with your pretzels because a little salty and sweet can be a good pair. To make chocolate-covered pretzels, we donโt need a lot of ingredients, only some chocolate.
You can use some chocolate chips available in the market or just use some of your favourite chocolate. Start by melting the chocolate by using the double bowl technique. Once the chocolate has melted, place one pretzel in the chocolate bowl and entirely dip it in the chocolate.
Now, use a fork instead of a spoon to take it from the chocolate bowl and put it in a tray. Now, if the weather in your area is winter, then let them stay at room temperature, and the chocolate will get hard on its own.
If you are making it in summer, then you would need to keep them in your fridge for the chocolate to harden up.
There is one more way to add chocolate to your pretzels: you can use it as a filling for pretzels. Chop your chocolate very finely, almost in powder form.
While making the pretzels, fill the chocolate between the folds of the pretzels and seal it perfectly. Now, you can bake them as usual and serve the pretzels with some coffee or hot cocoa.ย
4.3. Artichoke Dip
It can be a very interesting thing to make, and it is a tasty option. The main ingredient in this particular recipe is artichoke. Start by cutting the artichoke into very small pieces.
Now, put some mayonnaise and parmesan cheese on the side, and they should be in the same amount. They both must be essential to add the much-needed creamy texture.
Take a bowl and put all the required ingredients we just told you about into it and mix it well until everything combines perfectly with each other.ย
Once it is done, put them in your oven and bake for four minutes. Now, the cheese will melt and will be ready to eat. If you are thinking about storing it, then you should think again because if we store it, the cheese will go back to its natural state, and it will not taste good.
You can store the ingredients separately to help make it quickly whenever needed. When it is still sizzling, serve it with your crunchy pretzels, and your guests will fall in love with this perfect combination.
4.4. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese can be a good choice for a leisurely dip for your salty snacks. Even if you are tired from working all week or you are lazy, it is super easy to make a cream cheese dip. Start by keeping the cream cheese at room temperature for some time.
When it is done, transfer it to a small bowl and whip it with the help of a silicon spatula. Add some seasonings to the bowl, like salt, pepper powder, oregano, garlic powder, etc.
Mix everything and rest in the fridge for some time; serve it with your crunchy pretzels when it is cold because it tastes better this way.
4.5. Peanut Butter
As we all know, peanut butter can go with anything, whether sweet or salty. Peanut butter is available in both smooth and crunchy textures with some small pieces of peanuts in it.
If somebody wants, then they can choose to use it as a dip for your crunchy pretzels, there is another way to include them, and that would be by using them as a pretzel filling.
For this, you can use any form of peanut butter you like. Fill them in between your pretzels just like you filled your chocolate, and it is difficult to freeze it in your freezer for some time before using it.
Seal the edges of the pretzels carefully and put them in the oven to bake for the required time. Now, serve your crunchy pretzels to anyone you would like to share them with.
4.6. Cheesy Pretzels
Cheese can never fail you to enhance the flavour of your existing recipe; all the different kinds of cheese are creamy and delicious.
You can use both mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese to implement this recipe. If you can use granulated cheese, then use that, or else grate the cheese blocks you have.
Put some cheese in between the rolls of your pretzels and seal it carefully. Now, when you bake them, the cheese will get melted and will be chewy and very stretched. It is the perfect state to enjoy something cheesy, but donโt eat it too often if you have some heart disease.ย
If you find it challenging, then opt to make cheese dip instead. Put the cheese granules in a bowl along with some seasoning. You can also add some garlic in it or garlic powder instead of that.
It can provide an extra element to your dip. When everything is mixed, bake it for some time. Serve it with your crunchy pretzels when it is still hot, and enjoy.
5. In A Nutshell
Pretzels are salty but a great snack to enjoy if you want to try something new. It can go with cheese, dips, hummus, and what not.
Try these amazing combinations, and let us know your favourite!
Last Updated on by Kirti Sharma
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