Soft Pretzel Sticks

Soft Pretzel Sticks are easy homemade baked pretzels with a soft, chewy inside, golden-brown crust, and plenty of coarse salt on top. Serve these homemade pretzel sticks warm with a quick and easy Honey Mustard Dip for a fun snack, party appetizer, game day food, or homemade treat!

These Soft Pretzel Sticks have everything you want in a good pretzel. They’re soft and chewy inside, beautifully golden brown outside, and topped with coarse pretzel salt. There is just something about a warm homemade soft pretzel that is hard to resist. Add a creamy, sweet, and tangy Honey Mustard Dip, and things get even better!

This recipe for Soft Pretzel Sticks is right from my cookbook, Kid Chef Bakes. The book includes 75+ recipes, including both sweet and savory, such as cookies, cakes, pizza, bread, pies, pastries, and more! The recipes are really great for ALL ages!

Check out some of my other recipes from the cookbook, including Fluffy Buttermilk Chive Biscuits, Blueberry Muffin Tops, and Mini Blueberry Peach Crostatas. But back to the pretzels…

Yes, these pretzels are made from scratch!

If homemade yeast dough intimidates you a little, don’t worry. The process is pretty straightforward. Mix and knead the dough, give it time to rise, shape it into short pretzel sticks, give the sticks a quick baking soda water bath, then bake until deeply golden brown. It’s a bit of work but so worth it when you have the time.

The homemade Honey Mustard Dip couldn’t be much easier. Just mix mayonnaise, honey, and yellow mustard together, and you’re done.

These baked pretzel sticks make a fun afternoon snack, game day appetizer, party food, or weekend baking project. They’re also a great alternative when you love traditional homemade pretzels but don’t feel like twisting every piece of dough into that classic pretzel shape.

What I Love About This Recipe

• These Soft Pretzel Sticks give you all the deliciousness of homemade soft pretzels in a really fun shape. Instead of worrying about creating perfectly twisted pretzels, you simply roll the dough into short ropes. That makes them great for dipping too. Serve them warm with Honey Mustard Dip and watch how quickly they disappear.
• The homemade pretzel dough uses basic ingredients you can find at just about any grocery store. Flour, yeast, butter, salt, sugar, and water form the base of the dough. There’s nothing too crazy here. If you’ve been wanting to try making pretzels from scratch, these homemade pretzel sticks are a great place to start.
• The baking soda water bath gives these pretzels that classic pretzel finish. Each stick spends only 20 to 30 seconds in the boiling water before going onto the baking sheet. An egg yolk wash and coarse salt finish the tops before baking. The result is a chewy homemade pretzel with that gorgeous dark golden brown exterior.
• That quick Honey Mustard Dip is worth making too. It has only three ingredients: mayonnaise, honey, and yellow mustard. Sweet, creamy, tangy, and just about perfect with a salty warm pretzel. You can also skip the honey mustard and serve the pretzel sticks with your favorite cheese dip or chip dip.

What Are Soft Pretzel Sticks?

Soft Pretzel Sticks are basically traditional soft pretzels shaped into short ropes instead of the familiar twisted pretzel shape. That simple shape makes them particularly easy to serve and dip.

Like many homemade soft pretzel recipes, these pretzel sticks start with yeast dough. After the dough rises and the sticks are shaped, they get a short bath in boiling water and baking soda. Don’t skip that step!

The baking soda water bath helps give the finished pretzels their characteristic exterior and dark golden brown color.

After their quick bath, the sticks get brushed with egg yolk, sprinkled with pretzel or coarse salt, and baked.

Equipment You May Need

• Stand Mixer with Dough Hook – Makes mixing and kneading the homemade pretzel dough quick and easy.
• Large Mixing Bowl – You’ll need a greased bowl where the pretzel dough can rise until doubled in size.
• Plastic Wrap – Use it to cover the bowl while the dough rises in a warm, draft-free spot.
• Two Baking Sheets – The recipe makes 24 pretzel sticks, so you’ll need plenty of room for them to bake.
• Parchment Paper – An optional alternative to generously greasing the baking sheets.
• Medium Saucepan – Use this for the baking soda water bath.
• Large Slotted Spoon, Spider Strainer, or Spatula – Makes it much easier to lower the pretzels into the boiling water and remove them after their short bath.
• Pastry Brush – Helpful for lightly brushing the egg yolk mixture over the pretzel sticks.
• Wire Cooling Rack – Lets the baked pretzel sticks finish cooling after they come out of the oven.

Soft Pretzel Sticks Ingredients

For the Pretzels

• Warm Water – The water should be 105 to 115 degrees F to prepare the yeast.
• Granulated Sugar – A tablespoon goes into the warm water with the yeast.
• Active Dry Yeast – You’ll need one 1/4-ounce envelope for the homemade pretzel dough.
• All-Purpose Flour – Start with the amount needed to bring the dough together and add more as necessary. You’ll also need a little extra flour for the work surface.
• Salt – Adds flavor to the homemade pretzel dough.
• Unsalted Butter – Melted butter goes directly into the dough.
• Vegetable or Canola Oil – Used to grease the bowl before letting the dough rise.
• Butter – Use additional butter to grease the baking sheets if you’re not lining them with parchment paper.

For the Water Bath and Topping

• Water – You’ll need 8 cups for boiling the pretzel sticks.
• Baking Soda – Added to the boiling water to create the pretzel water bath.
• Egg Yolk – Mixed with a little water and brushed over the pretzel sticks before baking.
• Pretzel Salt or Coarse Salt – Sprinkle it over the sticks for that classic salty pretzel finish.

For the Honey Mustard Dip

• Mayonnaise – Creates the creamy base for the easy dipping sauce.
• Honey – Adds plenty of sweetness.
• Yellow Mustard – Gives the dip its tangy mustard flavor.

How to Make Soft Pretzel Sticks

Step One: Prepare the Yeast
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the hook attachment, stir together 1 1/2 cups warm water, sugar, and yeast until blended. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.

Step Two: Mix and Knead the Dough
Add about 3 1/2 cups flour, the salt, and melted butter. Mix on low until well blended, adding more flour as needed for the dough to come together, then increase the speed to medium and knead for 4 to 6 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step Three: Let the Dough Rise
Grease a large bowl with the oil, add the dough, and turn it to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft-free place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step Four: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Generously grease 2 baking sheets or line them with parchment paper.

Step Five: Prepare the Water Bath
Add 8 cups water and the baking soda to a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil and stir to blend.

Step Six: Form the Pretzel Sticks
Place the risen dough on a lightly floured work surface. Divide it in half, divide each half into 12 balls for 24 total, then roll each ball into a 4 to 5-inch rope and dust off excess flour.

Step Seven: Boil and Top the Pretzels
Gently lower the pretzel sticks into the boiling water 2 or 3 at a time and cook for 20 to 30 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon or spatula, shake off excess water, place on the baking sheets, then brush lightly with egg yolk mixed with a little water and sprinkle with pretzel or coarse salt.

Step Eight: Bake the Pretzel Sticks
Bake for 12 to 17 minutes or until dark golden brown. Cool slightly, then transfer the pretzels to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Step Nine: Make the Honey Mustard Dip
Mix the mayonnaise, honey, and yellow mustard together in a small bowl. Serve alongside the homemade pretzel sticks.

(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)

Why Do You Boil Pretzels Before Baking?

The water bath is one of the steps that makes a homemade pretzel different from an ordinary piece of bread. For this recipe, the pretzel sticks go into boiling water mixed with baking soda for just 20 to 30 seconds. Be careful not to overcook them in the water bath.

You don’t need to cook the pretzels all the way through at this point. They’ll finish cooking in the oven.

After the water bath, shake off the excess water, place the sticks on your prepared baking sheets, brush them with the egg yolk mixture, and add the coarse salt. Then they’re ready for the oven!

Serving Suggestions

• Serve the Soft Pretzel Sticks warm with the homemade Honey Mustard Dip.
• Add your favorite warm cheese dip for another classic pretzel pairing.
• Put out several dips for a fun party or game day pretzel platter.
• Serve the pretzel sticks as an appetizer before a casual family dinner.
• Add them to a game day or tailgate spread with your other favorite dips and appetizers.
• Enjoy one warm as an afternoon snack. No party required!

Quick Tips for Best Results

• Check your water temperature. The warm water for the yeast should be 105 to 115 degrees F.
• Add the flour gradually as needed. Start with about 3 1/2 cups when mixing the dough and add additional flour as needed for the dough to come together.
• Knead until smooth and elastic. After the dough comes together, knead it with the mixer on medium for 4 to 6 minutes.
• Give the dough time to rise. Place it somewhere warm and draft-free and let it rise for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
• Keep the sticks similar in size. Rolling the dough into fairly uniform 4- to 5-inch ropes will help them bake more evenly.
• Don’t overcook the pretzels in the water bath. They only need 20 to 30 seconds in the boiling baking soda mixture.
• Work in small batches. Boil only 2 or 3 pretzel sticks at a time so they’re easier to handle.
• Watch the color. Bake the pretzel sticks until they’re a beautiful dark golden brown.
• Serve them with your favorite dip. Honey mustard is delicious, but a cheese dip or chip dip would be great too.

Soft Pretzel Sticks FAQ

How should I store Soft Pretzel Sticks?
Store the pretzels in a covered airtight container at room temperature.

Can you freeze Soft Pretzel Sticks?
Yes, you can freeze and reheat if desired.

How long will the Soft Pretzel Sticks last?
These pretzels are best when they’re fresh right after baking, but will stay for a few days if in an airtight container.

Substitutions?
Instead of serving the pretzel sticks with Honey Mustard Dip, serve them with your favorite chip dip or cheese dip.

Can I use low-fat ingredients?
You can use a low-fat mayonnaise in the dip if you prefer.

What else can I add to this recipe?
You can add your favorite spices and seasonings in the pretzel dough or as a topping. For serving, you can add a variety of dips and let everyone choose their favorite.

Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.

Vegan – Use plant-based butter.

Vegetarian – It’s vegetarian. Be sure to check individual brands/products just to be sure.

Low-Carb – This would be a tough one to make low-carb.

Gluten-Free – You can try a gluten-free flour blend, but I have not tried so I cannot guarantee results.

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

• Mini Pretzel Rolls with Bacon Cheddar Butter Spread – An easy pretzel-inspired snack made with frozen bread dough and served with a savory bacon cheddar butter spread.
• Garlic Cheddar Drop Biscuits – Quick homemade garlic cheese biscuits that are ready in about 30 minutes and make a fun copycat version of the popular Red Lobster biscuits.
• Mini Cheddar Biscuit Muffins – Bite-size homemade bread that’s a fun cross between biscuits and muffins, with no yeast required.
• Homemade Dinner Rolls – Quick and easy Italian Parmesan homemade dinner rolls that are ready in about an hour.
• Cinnamon Breadstick Bites – Mini cinnamon sugar breadstick bites served with Cream Cheese Frosting Dip and ready in less than 30 minutes.
• Spicy Sausage & Beer Cheese Dip – An easy slow cooker dip with sausage, green pepper, onion, beer, and cheese that would be right at home on a party or game day spread.

Hope you enjoy these Soft Pretzel Sticks with Honey Mustard Dip! They’re salty, chewy, golden brown, and a fun excuse to make homemade pretzels from scratch.