Pretzel bread is a type of bread that is made with a flour and water dough that is boiled in salt water and then baked. The result is a crispy, chewy bread that has a distinctive flavor.
What is Pretzel Bread?
Updated:
Photo by Wesual Click on Unsplash
Table of Contents
The pretzel is a modern favorite. Known for its twisty shape, the pretzel actually has a surprising old origin dating back to 640 A.D. Rumors of history state that the pretzel was supposedly invented in Italy by a monk rewarding children for their prayers.
The name pretzel likely originates from the German world brezel, meaning bracelet. The knotted shape of the pretzel is typically associated with the Catholic prayer-myth, symbolizing the crossed arms of the praying children. Pretzels remain a popular Catholic treat during Lent.
The pretzel typically consists solely of flour, salt, and yeast as its main ingredients. The hard, baked pretzels found in supermarkets are an interaction of pretzels made without yeast. The pretzel is a baked type of bread, typically dipped in butter and topped with salt before serving.
Modern iterations of the pretzel are frequently served dipped in sugar, topped with chocolate, or other ingredients. Pretzels are so popular in the United States that pretzel-making companies dot the malls across the states serving the delicious treat.
The History of Pretzels
The pretzel has been a favorite snack of Americans for what seems like forever, but the twisty bread has been a favorite of Europe for much longer. While the pretzel did not come to America until the 19th Century, European Catholics have baked pretzels since before the 16th Century
Historians disagree on the origins of the word pretzel. Some say it traces its roots back to the Latin word bracellae from which the pretzel-loving Germans got their word bretzel.
Other stories say the Catholic monkhood named them pretiolas, meaning little rewards, and would give them to deserving young pupils for learning their scriptures. Regardless, the Catholic monks played a great role in spreading the pretzels through their subsidiary cultures.
The Middle Ages launched the pretzel bread into stardom. During the Middle Ages, the pretzel symbolized good luck, prosperity, and spiritual fulfillment. The monks taught their Church that the twisted shape symbolized arms crossed in prayer.
The foothold of pretzels in the Catholic community developed into a firm grasp due in part to the ingredients of a pretzel, which were largely sanctioned for eating during the period of Lent. The dough’s simplicity made it a common alm given to the poor by the Church for sustenance.
In 1510, pretzel-making became a noble endeavor. Pretzelmakers heard the boots of the invading Turkish army as they prepared their pretzels in Vienna, Austria. The city, forewarned, successfully fended off the army and the King of Austria gave the bakers their own coat of arms.
Pretzels grew to symbolize undying love, swelling to popularity from Europe to the United States with the arrival of German immigrants in the United States introducing the delicious treats stateside.
In 1935 the Reading Pretzel Machinery Company began mass-producing crispy baked pretzels for the world. The hard-baked goods provided a vastly different selection of pretzels for the grocery store shelves.
Still, the fresh-baked pretzel remained popular in the United States thanks to the presence of pretzel shops in malls and stores such as Annie’s Pretzels, Snyder’s, Rolled Gold, and Pretzelmakers. Both types of pretzels are favorites today in the United States.
Ingredients in Pretzels
Pretzel recipes vary based on region of origin and cultural influences, but most include the following ingredients:
- Flour
- Yeast
- Salt
- Butter
- Eggs
- Sugar
Pretzel Nutritional Information
Hard and soft pretzels are not particularly nutritious bread. While they do contain small amounts of fiber, they are high in sodium and sugar and contain very few vitamins or minerals.
However, many people do opt for hard-baked pretzels over chips, due to their having fewer fats and additives in most recipes.
How to Make Pretzels
Pretzels begin much the same as most bread dough recipes. You mix the yeast, water, sugar, and salt and allow the yeast to mix and become frothy. After that, you mix in the dry ingredients until an elastic dough has formed. The dough must proof for an hour before any shaping.
After poofing, you shape into the crossed-shape of a traditional pretzel, unless making pretzel bites, in which case you cut the dough into bite-sized pieces. You then boil the pretzels for a minute or so before placing them on a baking sheet.
After boiling, you then coat the pretzels in egg wash, sprinkle with salt, and pop them into the oven until golden brown. Typically, you then dip the pretzels in butter before serving them.
Pretzel Recipes
Pretzels have become a favorite among the people of America in part due to their varied array of flavors and textures.
For a savory twist on the old classic, add basil and garlic to the dough for an Italian-inspired treat. You can add parmesan cheese and butter as a topping after baking and dip the pretzel in marinara for even more zest.
For a sweet and traditionally favorite version of the soft-baked pretzel, add cinnamon and vanilla to the dough. After dipping the baked pretzel into butter, coat it in cinnamon and sugar, and dip it in icing to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Pretzel FAQ's
Pretzel bread is thought to have originated in Europe, possibly in Italy or Germany. It is believed that the first pretzels were made as a type of unleavened bread for Lent.
Flour, water, salt, and yeast are the basic ingredients in pretzel bread. Some recipes may also call for sugar or malt syrup.
To make pretzel bread, the dough is boiled in salt water, then baked. This gives the bread its distinctive crispy, chewy texture and flavor.
No, pretzel bread is not suitable for a gluten-free diet as it contains wheat flour.
Yes, pretzel bread is vegan as it does not contain any animal products.
Pretzel bread is relatively low in calories and fat, and it provides some protein and fiber. However, it is high in sodium due to the salt water boiling step.
Pretzel bread is best eaten within a few days of baking, but it will keep for up to a week if stored in an airtight container.
Yes, you can freeze pretzel bread. Wrap it tightly in foil or freezer bags and it will keep for up to 3 months.
Pretzel bread can be used in place of other types of bread in most recipes. It is particularly good for making sandwiches or as a base for pizzas and flatbreads.
Pretzel bread can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in foil or freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months.
One slice of pretzel bread (28 grams) has 70 calories, 1 gram of fat, 13 grams of carbohydrates, and 2 grams of protein. It also contains traces of iron and calcium.
Pretzel bread is a good source of complex carbohydrates and it provides some protein and fiber. It is low in fat and calories, and it is also vegan and gluten-free.
Pretzel bread is high in sodium due to the salt water boiling step. It is also a potential choking hazard for young children.
Some popular brands of pretzel bread include Auntie Anne's, Wetzel's, and Snyder's of Hanover.
Pretzel bread is available at most grocery stores and many bakeries. It can also be ordered online from speciality retailers.
Pretzel bread typically costs between $3 and $5 per pretzel.
No, pretzel bread is not gluten-free as it contains wheat flour.
No, pretzel bread is not keto-friendly as it is high in carbohydrates.
Pretzel bread has a distinctive flavor that is salty and slightly sweet. The dough is also boiled in salt water, which gives the bread a crispy, chewy texture.
One slice of pretzel bread (28 grams) has 70 calories.
One slice of pretzel bread (28 grams) has 1 gram of fat.
One slice of pretzel bread (28 grams) has 13 grams of carbohydrates.
One slice of pretzel bread (28 grams) has 2 grams of protein.
Pretzel bread is best eaten within a few days of baking, but it will keep for up to a week if stored in an airtight container.
Yes, you can freeze pretzel bread. Wrap it tightly in foil or freezer bags and it will keep for up to 3 months.
Pretzel bread can be used in place of other types of bread in most recipes. It is particularly good for making sandwiches or as a base for pizzas and flatbreads.
Pretzel bread can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in foil or freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months.
One slice of pretzel bread (28 grams) has 70 calories, 1 gram of fat, 13 grams of carbohydrates, and 2 grams of protein. It also contains traces of iron and calcium.
Pretzel bread is a good source of complex carbohydrates and it provides some protein and fiber. It is low in fat and calories, and it is also vegan and gluten-free.
