I still remember the very first time I walked through the mall and caught that unmistakable aroma of freshly baked soft pretzels. The warm, buttery smell pulled me in instantly, and before I knew it, I was holding one of Auntie Anne’s famous pretzels in my hands. Golden brown on the outside, pillowy soft on the inside, and just the right amount of salt sprinkled over the top—it was love at first bite. Ever since then, pretzels have held a special place in my baking journey, and I knew I had to create a homemade version that brings the mall experience right into the kitchen.

What I love most about this copycat recipe is how it captures that nostalgic taste while being completely approachable for home bakers. The dough is simple yet rewarding, and when baked, it creates the perfect balance of chewiness and softness. Every twist of the pretzel feels like a little moment of joy, and when you pull them out of the oven, you’ll immediately understand why these pretzels are loved by so many.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

There are so many reasons why this recipe will become one of your favorites. First, it’s incredibly comforting. The golden crust, the slight chew, and the buttery coating make each bite absolutely irresistible. You’ll also enjoy the fact that these pretzels are not only for snacking—they can be enjoyed at any time of day, whether as a midday treat, a party snack, or even a creative base for dips and spreads.

Another reason is the unbeatable freshness. Mall pretzels are delicious, but there’s something extra special about pulling warm, homemade pretzels straight out of your oven. You’re in control of the ingredients, the toppings, and the flavors, which makes the result even more satisfying.

Versatile

One of the best qualities of this recipe is how versatile it is. You can enjoy them the classic way with butter and coarse salt, or get creative with toppings like cinnamon sugar, sesame seeds, or even a cheesy garlic twist. They pair beautifully with dips such as mustard, cheese sauce, or chocolate for a sweet version. Whether you prefer savory or sweet, this recipe adapts to your cravings.

Affordable

Making your own pretzels at home is also incredibly cost-effective. Instead of buying individual pretzels at the mall, you can bake a whole batch for the same price. The ingredients are pantry staples—flour, sugar, yeast, and butter—so you won’t have to make any special trips to the store. That means you get the same delicious experience for a fraction of the cost.

Ingredients for the Recipe

• All-purpose flour

• Warm water

• Active dry yeast

• Sugar

• Salt

• Baking soda

• Unsalted butter

• Coarse salt for topping

How to Prepare This Recipe

Recreating Auntie Anne’s mall pretzels at home is much easier than it might seem. The process involves preparing a soft dough, shaping it into classic pretzel twists, giving them a quick dip in baking soda water, and then baking until golden brown. The result is a warm, buttery pretzel that tastes just like the ones from the mall.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Preparation

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

Begin by combining warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast in a large mixing bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy. This step ensures that your dough will rise properly. If the yeast does not foam, discard it and try again with fresh yeast.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Add flour and salt to the activated yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead it on a lightly floured surface for about 8 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment if you prefer a quicker method.

Step 3: Let the Dough Rise

Place the dough into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour. The dough should double in size. This rising stage is important for creating that light and fluffy interior in the pretzels.

Step 4: Prepare the Baking Soda Bath

While the dough rises, bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil and add baking soda. This alkaline solution is what gives pretzels their characteristic deep brown color and unique chewy texture. Keep it simmering until you are ready to dip the pretzels.

Step 5: Shape the Pretzels

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 20 inches in length. To form the pretzel shape, create a U with the rope, twist the ends twice, and fold them down onto the bottom curve of the U. Press lightly to seal the shape.

Step 6: Dip in Baking Soda Water

Carefully lower each shaped pretzel into the simmering baking soda water for about 20 to 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a lined baking sheet. This step is essential for achieving the authentic Auntie Anne’s style crust.

Step 7: Bake the Pretzels

Brush the pretzels generously with melted butter before baking. Sprinkle coarse salt over the top for the classic flavor. Place the tray in a preheated oven at 450°F (230°C) and bake for 12–14 minutes until golden brown.

Step 8: Finish with Butter

As soon as the pretzels come out of the oven, brush them again with melted butter. This final touch enhances both flavor and texture, making them irresistibly soft and rich.

Quick and Easy

Although the steps may look detailed, the actual process is quick once you get the hang of shaping the dough. The rise time is the longest part, but during that period, you can prepare the baking soda bath and get your toppings ready. From start to finish, you can have warm pretzels on the table in under two hours.

Customizable

This recipe is highly adaptable. If you enjoy sweet flavors, you can skip the salt and instead roll the warm pretzels in a cinnamon sugar mixture after baking. For a savory variation, top them with shredded cheese before baking or brush with garlic butter after they come out of the oven. Kids often enjoy dipping them in chocolate or caramel sauce, while adults may prefer them with mustard or a creamy cheese dip.

You can also shape the dough in different ways. Instead of the traditional pretzel twist, make pretzel bites by cutting the dough into small pieces before dipping and baking. These bite-sized versions are perfect for parties or snacking. Another option is pretzel dogs, where you wrap strips of dough around chicken sausages or turkey hot dogs before baking.

Popular with Many People

The best thing about this recipe is how universally loved it is. Homemade pretzels bring smiles to family gatherings, parties, and casual get-togethers. Children love them as a fun snack, and adults appreciate them with savory dips. Their soft, chewy texture and buttery flavor make them appealing to every age group. They also store well, so you can bake a batch and keep some on hand for later.

Making pretzels at home brings that mall experience into your kitchen without the wait in line. It feels satisfying to create something so iconic with your own hands, and once you try them fresh from the oven, you’ll understand why people keep coming back to this recipe.

Soft Pretzel Recipe (Annies Pretzels Copycat)

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These soft, buttery pretzels bring the iconic mall favorite right into your kitchen. With a golden crust, chewy interior, and endless topping options, they’re perfect for snacks, parties, or family gatherings.

• Author: Lura Skye
• Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 14
• Total Time: 1 hour 34 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups warm water
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for brushing)
• ⅓ cup baking soda (for water bath)
• Coarse salt, for topping

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Add flour, salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir until a rough dough forms.
3. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
4. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
5. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a simmer. Add baking soda and stir until dissolved.
7. Punch down dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each into a 20-inch rope. Shape into a U, twist the ends twice, and fold them down to form the pretzel shape. Press ends to seal.
8. Using a slotted spoon, dip each pretzel into the simmering baking soda water for 20–30 seconds. Remove and place on prepared baking sheets.
9. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt.
10. Bake for 12–14 minutes until golden brown.
11. Remove from oven, brush again with melted butter, and serve warm.

Notes

For sweet pretzels, skip the salt topping and coat with cinnamon sugar after baking.

Pretzel bites can be made by cutting the dough ropes into small pieces before dipping and baking.

Store baked pretzels in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance. After kneading, cover it tightly and place it in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to bake, allow it to come to room temperature and rise before shaping. This method saves time and enhances flavor.

Do I have to use baking soda water?

Yes, the baking soda bath is essential. It gives pretzels their distinctive deep brown crust and chewy texture. Skipping this step would make the pretzels taste more like bread rolls rather than classic mall pretzels.

Can I freeze the pretzels?

Absolutely. Once baked and cooled, wrap pretzels tightly in plastic wrap or store in a freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes. They taste almost as fresh as the day you baked them.

What toppings can I try besides salt?

This recipe is very versatile. For sweet pretzels, brush with butter and roll in cinnamon sugar. For savory versions, top with shredded cheese, sesame seeds, or garlic powder before baking. You can also enjoy them plain with dipping sauces.

How do I keep pretzels soft after baking?

Brush them generously with butter right after baking and store in an airtight container. To reheat, place in a warm oven for a few minutes to restore their softness.