Description
This Soft Baked Cheesy Pretzel Dogs recipe combines classic pretzel dough wrapped around hot dogs and cheddar cheese, delivering a warm, gooey, and savory snack perfect for any occasion. The dough is boiled briefly in baking soda water to achieve the signature pretzel crust, then baked until golden brown and sprinkled with coarse salt. Serve them with mustard or your favorite dipping sauce for a tasty treat that’s sure to please both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup baking soda
- 1 large egg, beaten
For the Filling and Topping
- 8 hot dogs
- 8 slices cheddar cheese
- Coarse salt, for sprinkling
- Mustard or your favorite dipping sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating that the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: In a large mixing bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture to the flour and stir until a dough begins to form.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for 5 to 7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, approximately 1 hour.
- Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Baking Soda Bath: In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil, then add the baking soda, stirring to dissolve it completely.
- Shape Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide it into 8 equal pieces.
- Form Pretzel Dogs: Roll each dough piece into a rope long enough to wrap completely around a hot dog with a slice of cheese.
- Assemble: Wrap each hot dog with a slice of cheddar cheese, then encase it with the dough rope, sealing the ends and edges securely by pinching them together.
- Boil Pretzel Dogs: Using a slotted spoon, dip each wrapped pretzel dog carefully into the boiling baking soda water for 30 seconds. This step ensures the classic pretzel crust.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the pretzel dogs onto the lined baking sheets. Brush each with the beaten egg for a shiny crust and sprinkle generously with coarse salt.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the pretzel dogs turn a beautiful golden brown color.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pretzel dogs to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them with mustard or your favorite dipping sauce as an optional accompaniment.
Notes
- Make sure the water is at the correct temperature (110°F) to activate the yeast properly without killing it.
- Boiling the dough in baking soda water is essential to create the characteristic pretzel crust and flavor.
- Do not overfill the pretzel dogs as it may cause the dough to tear during boiling or baking.
- Use a slotted spoon when dipping in baking soda water to avoid burns and to drain excess water.
- For extra flavor, you can sprinkle additional toppings such as sesame seeds or poppy seeds before baking.
- Leftover pretzel dogs can be reheated in the oven to restore their crispness.
Keywords: soft pretzel dogs, cheesy pretzel dogs, baked pretzel snacks, pretzel recipe, hot dog snacks, savory snacks