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    Home » Homemade Pretzel Dogs

    Homemade Pretzel Dogs

    Published: Jan 26, 2017 · Modified: Aug 2, 2022 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    These are the best pretzel dogs you will ever eat! A from-scratch pretzel dough is wrapped around high-quality hot dogs making these a much better choice than store bought varieties! A delicious game-day appetizer that is freezer friendly!

    front view of three pretzel dogs on a plate

    If you're looking for a great appetizer or hand-held meal to enjoy while watching your favorite sporting event, then these homemade pretzel dogs are for you!

    This pretzel dogs recipe is the best! A from-scratch pretzel dough is wrapped around high-quality hot dogs making these a much better choice than store bought varieties! Plus they're delicious and freezer friendly! 

    This Homemade Pretzel Dogs recipe combines two of my family's favorite foods, my Homemade Pretzel Bread and hot dogs, so they're always a winner in our house.

    overhead view of 5 pretzel dogs

    How to make Pretzel Dogs

    As always, we'll walk through the process of making this recipe, and don't forget to watch the video!

    Make the Pretzel dough

    Begin by making the dough. Start by proofing the yeast, then adding the wet ingredients. 

    two overhead photos showing How to make Pretzel Dogs

    Add the dry ingredients and using a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook, or by hand, knead the dough until it's slightly tacky. 

    two overhead photos showing How to make Pretzel Dogs

    Oil a large bowl, place the dough ball in the bowl, and cover with a damp towel in a warm place to let rise for one hour or until doubled in size.

    two overhead photos showing How to make Pretzel Dogs

    Wrap the Hot Dogs

    Once the dough has risen and been punched down, it's time to wrap the hot dogs. Make 8 balls of dough the same size, which I always do using a food scale. The total weight of the dough comes out to be about 800 g, so each ball should weigh about 100 g. 

    Take one dough ball and roll it into a thin rope, 8-10” long. Wrap it around one hot dog making sure the ends are secure. Repeat this with all 8 hot dogs.

    two overhead photos showing How to make Pretzel Dogs

    Baking Soda Bath

    To make the baking soda bath, bring the 4 quarts of water to a boil. When the water is boiling, slowly add the baking soda. Be careful or you will have a baking soda/water explosion. 

    baking soda bath for pretzel dogs recipe

    Boil Wrapped Pretzel Dogs

    Gently place two dough-wrapped hot dogs into the boiling baking soda water. Boil for 60-90 seconds on each side, turning it once to guarantee both sides covered. Drain the excess water and place them on an oiled baking sheet.

    overhead photo showing How to make Pretzel Dogs

    Sprinkle with Salt & Bake

    As soon as the boiled pretzel dogs are placed on the baking sheet, sprinkle coarse sea salt over the dough to your specific tastes. Note: the dough does not rise here. Straight from boiling to the oven. 

    Bake for 22-25 minutes, rotating the baking sheet once. They are done when they are deep brown!

    Note: These Homemade Pretzel Dogs have a tendency to stick to the pan. Greasing it thoroughly helps with this issue! 

    Brush with butter

    Once removed from the oven, immediately brush the melted butter over the Pretzel Dogs to guarantee a soft, buttery crust. 

    two photos showing How to make Pretzel Dogs

    Serve

    Serve with your favorite condiments and enjoy!

    Store:

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 

    To Freeze Pretzel dogs: 

    Let the pretzel dogs cool to room temperature. Freeze in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 2 months. 

    front view of 3 pretzel dogs on a baking sheet

    Pretzel Dogs: Ingredients & Substitutions

    I don't recommend making substituions in this recipe, but here are some options.

    •  Whole Milk. 2% milk, half and half or cream are all possible substitutions that work well.
    • All-purpose flour. Bread flour is the only other flour I have used to make this recipe and it produces an incredibly delicious final product!
    • Hot Dogs: Choose a brand and variety with a short ingredient list and one that is made with all beef! We always use Nathan's!

    That's it! I really don't recommend tinkering with this recipe any more! 

    Recipe FAQs

    How do you cook frozen Pretzel Dogs?

    You can cook these pretzel dogs from frozen, just decrease the baking temperature by 50 degrees F and tent the baking sheet with foil. You can also warm them at 250 covered in foil or in a baking dish with a lid.

    How long do pretzel dogs last?

    Baked pretzel dogs last for 5-7 days in the refrigerator and 2 months in the freezer.

    pretzel dog with a bite taken out of it so you can see inside

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Homemade Pretzel Dogs Recipe

    Laura
    These are the best pretzel dogs you will ever eat! A from-scratch pretzel dough is wrapped around high-quality hot dogs making these a much better choice than store bought varieties! A delicious game-day appetizer that is freezer friendly!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 Pretzel Dogs
    Calories 301.5 kcal

    Equipment

    • baking sheet
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • glass batter bowl
    • KitchenAid Mixer
    • pastry brush
    • Stockpot

    Ingredients
     
     

    Pretzel Dogs:

    • 2 ¼ tsp yeast
    • 1 cup water 105-110 degrees F
    • 2 TBS whole milk*
    • 3 TBS brown sugar
    • 4 TBS butter melted
    • 1 tsp fine sea salt
    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • 8 bun-length hot dogs
    • 1-2 TBS Coarse Sea Salt
    • 2 TBS butter melted

    Baking soda Bath:

    • 4 quarts water
    • ½ cup baking soda
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Combine yeast, water, and brown sugar in the bowl of your standing mixer fitted with the dough hook. Let stand for 5 minutes (until foamy).
    • While yeast is proofing…melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Mix in milk and set aside.
    • Once yeast is proofed, add milk/butter to yeast mixture and mix on low speed with dough hook until just combined.
    • Add salt and flour and mix with dough hook until flour is fully incorporated.
    • Knead in your mixer on high speed until the dough forms a slightly tacky, but firm ball, you may need to add a little more flour 1 TBS at a time, but be careful, you want your dough a little tacky but not too sticky to handle.
    • Oil a large bowl, place the dough ball in the bowl, and cover with a damp towel in a warm place to let rise for one hour or until doubled in size.
    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and bring the 4 quarts of water to a boil. When the water is boiling, slowly add the baking soda (Be careful or you will have a baking soda/water explosion)!
    • Remove the dough from the bowl and gently press out the air bubbles.
    • Make 8 balls of dough the same size (NOTE: The total weight of the dough comes out to be about 800 g, so each ball should weigh about 100 g).
    • Take one dough ball and roll it into a thin rope, 8-10” long. Wrap it around one hot dog making sure the ends are secure. Repeat this with all 8 hot dogs.
    • Gently place two dough-wrapped hot dogs into the boiling baking soda water. Boil for 60-90 seconds on each side, turning it once to guarantee both sides covered. Drain the excess water and place them on an oiled baking sheet.
    • Immediately sprinkle coarse sea salt over the dough to your specific tastes. Repeat with the other 6 hot dogs. (Do not let it rise at all here! Straight from boiling into the oven).
    • Cook the Pretzel Dogs for 22-25 minutes, rotating the baking sheet once. Pretzel dogs are done when they are deep brown!
    • Once removed from the oven, immediately brush the melted butter over the Pretzel Dogs to guarantee a soft crust.
    • Serve with your favorite condiments and enjoy!

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions

    •  Whole Milk. 2% milk, half and half or cream are all possible substitutions that work well.
    • All-purpose flour. Bread flour is the only other flour I have used to make this recipe and it produces an incredibly delicious final product!
    • Hot Dogs: Choose a brand and variety with a short ingredient list and one that is made with all beef! We always use Nathan's!

    Store:

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 

    To Freeze: 

    Let pretzel dogs cool to room temperature. Freeze in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 2 months. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1pretzel dogCalories: 301.5kcalCarbohydrates: 41.3gProtein: 11.5gFat: 12.1gSaturated Fat: 5.8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 36.2mgSodium: 643mgPotassium: 123mgFiber: 2.1gSugar: 5.2gVitamin A: 190IUCalcium: 18mgIron: 2.4mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    If you like this recipe, try these: 

    • This homemade pretzel bread is the best. 
    • Homemade Mac and Cheese is another kid-friendly favorite around here. 
    • This sausage and cheese dip is another great game-day appetizer! 
    • These pretzel bites are stuffed with cheese - YUM!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lee

      February 03, 2023 at 3:24 pm

      5 stars
      I live in a small town and i am known for my Breads and pizzas. My husband came to me and said he wanted me to make him Pretzels. I didn't know what i was doing. LOL I did do a lot of research and came across your recipe. I Loved the fact you use Bread flour and brown sugar. I have made this for my Grandkids several times now. My Grandkids told me to Thank you for this awesome recipe!

      Reply
      • Laura

        February 03, 2023 at 7:05 pm

        Thank you so much Lee!! This made my day!

        Reply
    2. Lydia

      January 03, 2023 at 3:10 pm

      5 stars
      These are super yummy! Great recipe.

      Reply
    3. Aimee L Smith

      February 15, 2022 at 10:04 am

      5 stars
      These are fun to make and taste great!!!

      Reply
      • Laura

        February 15, 2022 at 2:20 pm

        Thank you Aimee!

        Reply
    4. Tracy Bomgardner

      June 09, 2020 at 7:14 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe! We make these often. Yesterday, my 5 year old granddaughter helped me wrap the dough around the hot dogs. She has never eaten her hot dogs with a bun. Last night, she tried these and gave it a big thumbs up! My question is, how do you reheat these from the refrigerator? I usually make a big batch and wrap each one individually. My husband takes them out of the freezer, microwaves them for 2 minutes at 60% and then into the toaster oven for 3-4 minutes. That gets the dog hit plus crisps up the bread. We’ve never reheated them from the refrigerator. Any suggestions?

      Reply
      • Laura

        June 09, 2020 at 7:20 am

        I'd try the same method for reheating them from the refrigerator just for less time. I'm often in a hurry and just microwave them.

        Reply
    5. Emily

      May 20, 2019 at 10:20 am

      Hello! I want to make these ahead of time for a get together. You say they're freezer friendly but I can't see any instructions around that. Do you freeze these before or after boiling and baking?

      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Laura

        May 22, 2019 at 7:30 am

        I freeze them after I boil and bake them! I will update the post to give better instructions!

        Reply
    6. Emily

      January 26, 2017 at 8:31 am

      5 stars
      This is super sweet. I love that your husband will eat anything, and that you love to serve him things that he really loves to eat. These look like the perfect perfect food. I love corn dogs,(did I just say that?), and these look like a step up from those (a HUGE step).

      Reply
      • Laura

        February 11, 2017 at 8:45 am

        LOL YES these are a tad better than corn dogs!

        Reply

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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