Pretzels are a classic German bread, and we’re sticking largely to tradition with these spelt pretzels. Soft baked, they’re best the day they’re made, and seasoned with coarse salt. Of course, pretzels come in all shapes and sizes and there are a number of modern varieties now.
Typically boiled with a diluted lye mixture, we’re using baking soda to get the same flavour. Lye can be harder to find and is more dangerous to work with, and baking soda causes the Maillard reaction in much the same way.
Spelt flour adds an excellent depth of flavour to these pretzels and the dough is really easy to work with (only resting for a few minutes, no proof or rising time needed). While the shaping can be a bit tricky for beginners, it’s not complicated, and you can see the video for more guidance.
Ingredients
- Spelt Flour: use light spelt for best results, but you can do a mix of light and whole grain if you’re feeling confident.
- Yeast: fresh yeast is pictured, but instant dry can also be used.
- Water: room temperature, not cold (this is important).
- Olive Oil: another liquid oil or (vegan) butter can be subbed here. Don’t omit the oil, you’ll get tough pretzels.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: a touch of sweetener improves the flavour, don’t omit.
- Salt: for the dough and for topping. Coarse salt is ideal but flake is good too.
- Baking Soda: for boiling the pretzels.
Step by Step
If you can’t see the accompanying video in the post, watch it here.
Notes and Substitutions
If the notes on shaping are confusing, please reference the video. It’s not complicated, but can be a bit difficult to grasp the first time – don’t worry if the first couple look a bit wonky.
The boiling time is very short, shorter than for bagels, for example. They just need a quick dip before baking.
Use two baking sheets if you have them. If you only have one, set aside half the dough, then shape, boil, and bake after the first batch is finished. You don’t want to leave boiled pretzels sitting around waiting to bake.
While I do have lye on hand for making soap, I haven’t tested this recipe using lye water. It’s simply not accessible enough and baking soda is an ideal sub.
These simply don’t store well. If you don’t think you can eat a dozen in one day, I would recommend halving the batch rather than storing. Day old pretzels make excellent croutons, though!
More Spelt Flour Basics
Spelt Pancakes
Spelt Sourdough Pizza Crust
Simple Spelt Bread
Spelt Naan
Spelt Pasta
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Spelt Pretzels
Ingredients
- 300 ml water at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- ½ cube fresh yeast 2 1/4 teaspoons dried instant yeast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 550 grams light spelt flour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Coarse salt for topping
For Boiling
- 2 litres water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Add the water, honey, and yeast to a large mixing bowl. Whisk until well combined.300 ml water, 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, 1/2 cube fresh yeast
- Stir in the olive oil.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add about a third of the flour and the sea salt. Stir to mix, then add the remaining flour and mix until a shaggy dough forms.550 grams light spelt flour, 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Turn the dough out onto a work surface and knead until smooth and soft, sprinkling flour over as needed, 5-6 minutes.
- Place the dough back into the bowl and let it rest for ten minutes while you prep the water and oven.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and grease or line two large baking sheets.
- Bring 2 litres (8 cups) of water to boil. Once the water is boiling, add the baking soda and reduce the heat to a high simmer rather than a rolling boil.2 litres water, 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Start shaping the pretzels. Divide the dough into ten equal pieces (I recommend weighing). Shape each piece into a ball, then roll into a long strand, about 40cm (16 in.) in length.
- Form a U-shape with the dough strand. Take each end and cross the dough over itself to make an X at the top, then twist once more, so you have a double twist.
- Lift the twisted end and bring it back toward yourself, then press it down to form the pretzel shape. Brush lightly with water where the dough touches to ensure a better join.
- Repeat until all of the pretzels are formed.
- Boil each pretzel for 15-20 seconds, then carefully remove with a large slotted spoon. Place onto the prepared baking sheets and sprinkle the tops with salt.Coarse salt
- Bake the pretzels for 15-17 minutes, or until golden.
- Cool for ten minutes on the baking sheets before removing and serving.
Video
Notes
* For American cup measurements, please click the pink link text above the ingredient list that says ‘American’.
Nutrition
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
Amy says
Have you ever tried whole grain spelt to make these? Do you think it will work as well?
Alexandra Daum says
Hi Amy, I’ve done a mix, but never all whole spelt. I think the shaping would be quite difficult and prone to tear, but it would be possible, just not as good.
Penny Benson says
I did sprouted spelt and it was indeed difficult to handle. I’m at 5000′ elevation and don’t know how much that played into my experience. I needed to keep my hands wet to knead, and still added flour as needed. At first the dough kept melting into itself so I kept kneading. I could never get to a rollable stage so instead, I stretched it into a rope and swung it around like a jump rope to continue stretching. The dough was very elastic, rebounding almost all the way as I started to form the pretzels. Keeping my work station slightly damp helped while forming. They were delicious with mustard though and I’m so happy I tried this! Thank you!
Nora says
These were fabulous. We did have leftovers which we stored in the fridge the next day and toasted and buttered all week long. So good.
SD says
If one is allergic to baking soda, what is a good substitution?
Alexandra Daum says
I would recommend sodium carbonate, but I’m guessing that there’s an allergy to that if you’re allergic to baking soda. You won’t get the maillard reaction without it. For something slightly similar, add a bit of sugar (I would use coconut sugar or honey) to the water for boiling.
SD says
Thank you! I would used 1tsp of either the coconut sugar or honey, correct?
Alexandra Daum says
Yes, exactly.