Artificial Food Coloring Free Whole Wheat Soft Pretzels
Soft pretzels are one of those snacks that seem like they should be complicated, but this recipe proves otherwise — and every ingredient is exactly what it sounds like. Store-bought pretzels are notorious for sneaking in dyes and artificial additives to achieve that glossy, uniform look, so making your own is genuinely the easiest way to know what you're eating. The deep mahogany color here comes entirely from the baking soda bath and the egg wash, which is a classic technique that creates that signature chewy crust without any shortcuts. Whole wheat flour gives the dough a slightly nutty, hearty flavor that makes these feel more satisfying than a typical mall-style pretzel. A touch of honey in the dough adds just enough sweetness to balance the coarse sea salt on top, and the result is that perfect salty-sweet combination in every bite. These come out of the oven looking genuinely impressive — the kind of thing you'd want to set out for a crowd and watch disappear fast.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
For the dough
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°f / 43°c)
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
For the baking soda bath
- 8 cups water
- ⅓ cup baking soda
For finishing
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tbsp coarse sea salt or flaky salt
Instructions
- 1
Combine the warm water, yeast, and honey in the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl). Let stand for 5–8 minutes, until the surface is foamy and the mixture smells yeasty.
- 2
Add the whole wheat flour, fine sea salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed with the dough hook (or stir with a wooden spoon) until a shaggy dough forms, then increase to medium speed and knead for 6–8 minutes, until the dough is smooth, slightly tacky, and pulls cleanly away from the sides of the bowl. If kneading by hand, turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
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