Walnut Free Whole Wheat Soft Pretzels
There is something deeply satisfying about pulling a tray of golden-brown, chewy pretzels out of your own oven, and this whole wheat version delivers that bakery-level payoff with nothing but wholesome pantry staples. The dough comes together with whole wheat flour, honey, olive oil, and yeast — straightforward ingredients with zero hidden surprises for anyone navigating tree nut sensitivities. The real magic happens in the baking soda bath, which gives each pretzel that signature chewy exterior and deep, glossy color before it ever hits the oven. A generous egg wash and a shower of coarse sea salt finish things off, creating that irresistible crackly crust you'd expect from a proper soft pretzel. Because every ingredient is listed and accounted for, you can skip the label-reading anxiety that comes with store-bought versions and just enjoy the process. These are fantastic straight off the rack with mustard, but honestly they're hard to resist plain while they're still warm.
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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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