I promised myself that I wasn’t going to make or post any bread for awhile but yesterday I was making some soup (split pea, I know you wanted to know) and wanted a light roll to go with it.
These are by far the best rolls I’ve ever had. They were everything you could hope for in a pretzel but so much easier than shaping actual pretzels. The outside was crisp and salty and the inside was perfectly soft. My 3 year old (who obviously spends too much time in the kitchen with me) broke open a roll and said, “Look at all those pretty holes!”
This recipe is perfect for someone who wants to learn how to make bread but might be scared. From start to finish it took less than an hour and a half. The dough was very easy, not tacky or hard to work with. My only advice is to double the recipe. These went fast in my house!
📖 Recipe
Pretzel Rolls
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups bread flour
- 1 envelope quick-rising yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons about hot water (125°F to 130°F)
- Cornmeal
- 8 cups water
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 egg white beaten to blend (glaze)
- Coarse salt
Instructions
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Combine bread flour, 1 envelope yeast, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, and water in large bowl (or stand mixer) and stir until dough comes together in a ball. Put on floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes or until the dough is elastic and smooth. Grease medium bowl. Add dough to bowl, turning to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap, then towel; let dough rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 35 minutes.
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Flour baking sheet. Punch dough down and knead on lightly floured surface until smooth. Divide into 8 pieces. Form each dough piece into ball. Place dough balls on prepared sheet, flattening each slightly. Using serrated knife, cut X in top center of each dough ball. Cover with towel and let dough balls rise until almost doubled in volume, about 20 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease another baking sheet and sprinkle with cornmeal. Bring 8 cups water to boil in large saucepan. Add baking soda and 2 tablespoons sugar (water will foam up). Add 4 rolls X side up and cook 30 seconds before flipping over and cooking for another 30 seconds. Using slotted spoon, transfer rolls to prepared sheet, arranging X side up. Repeat with remaining rolls.
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Brush rolls with egg white glaze. Sprinkle rolls generously with coarse salt. Bake rolls until brown, about 25 minutes. Transfer to racks and cool 10 minutes. Serve rolls warm or room temperature.
Penny Wolf says
I made these and they are wonderful! Thank you for perfect instructions and recipe. The leftovers i have put under the broiler ever so briefly to re-crisp and I am thrilled with the results.
lynne says
yum! these look great! can’t wait to try them!
.-= lynne´s last blog ..Lemon Lavender Scones =-.
Patty says
These look delicious! Your little boys are so lucky to have a mom that bakes such awesome stuff. :)
Pam says
Oh boy these look so very good! I’m a bread addict so I can imagine eating way too many of these. But I have to try them!
.-= Pam´s last blog ..Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars =-.
SallyBR says
I had to smile with your decision of “not baking any bread for a while”….. I said that to myself, resisted the urge this weekend, but now it’s Tuesday evening, and guess what I have on my kitchen countertop? A bowl with pate fermentee to bake bread tomorrow….
it is a sickness. But, a good one. :-)
loved these rolls, they are tempting me
.-= SallyBR´s last blog ..SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND FETA CHEESE TORTE =-.
Tia @ ButtercreamBarbie says
i want one so badly now…
.-= Tia @ ButtercreamBarbie´s last blog ..Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars =-.
Mimi says
Wow. Really delicious looking rolls. I’ll have to bake some too!
.-= Mimi´s last blog ..Magical =-.
Jeanne says
These look spectacular! There’s a sandwich shop near my office that makes sandwiches on pretzel rolls and I’ve always wanted to replicate them at home. I’ll give this recipe a try. Thanks!
.-= Jeanne´s last blog ..Vegan Raspberry Applesauce Muffins =-.
Tupper Cooks says
Now why would you not want to post about bread- these little bites look awesome and I’m going to make them ASAP! Keep posting about bread!
.-= Tupper Cooks´s last blog ..Count your blessings. =-.
Sheila Blais says
I know Pawpaw will love these. I’ll plan on making them tomorrow or Monday. So much going on today to make them.
Jessica says
I love pretzels, and pretzel rolls have always fascinated me. I think I really need to try these soon. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement re: pain a l’ancienne. I think I’m going to try to make it within the next two weeks. Fingers crossed!
Jenny says
So easy! Going to have to give these puppies a try. Thanks for leading the way!
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Rosemary Shortbread Cookies =-.
Kristy @ ksayerphotography says
i loveee pretzels, and a pretzel roll sounds delicious!
Laura says
Yum! I have a bunch of tomato soup in the freezer and I’m pretty sure this might be its soulmate. :)
PS — your three-year-old’s pretty smart!
.-= Laura´s last blog ..sweet and salty everything granola =-.
Lisa! says
These look great- I love the Rockenwagner pretzel rolls, but they’re a bit spendy ($1 apiece.)
I’ll give them a try this afternoon.
.-= Lisa!´s last blog ..rustic macarons =-.
Camille says
Also, when do you add the water? It is listed in the ingredients but not in the instructions.
Camille says
These sound delish and I would like to make them for my 3 year old. Unfortunately, he is allergic to eggs. Do you have a suggestion to substitute the egg white?
amanda says
You can just brush them with water. They might not get as brown but they will still be very good.
I added the water to the recipe! Thanks for pointing it out! :)
laura says
sometimes i brush bread dough with milk — just another thought!
i have the dough for these rising right now. yay! :)
Kelly says
Hey, I have all the ingredients! I think I’ll try them tomorrow…don’t wanna eat to much bread in 1 week!
Pam says
OMG these look GREAT! I know I have been wanting to stay away from breads, but dangit, I think I am going to have to cave on these!!
.-= Pam´s last blog ..Luck O’ The Irish From The Oven! =-.
Peggy says
These look great! I’ve got some leftover pretzel dough and I think I may just try this over the weekend!
.-= Peggy´s last blog ..Bibimpap =-.