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Soft Pretzel Buns with Parmesan Topping

Indulge in these Soft Pretzel Buns with a golden Parmesan topping, perfect for any occasion. Made with a rich, buttery dough and boiled to perfection for that signature pretzel texture, these buns are topped with coarse salt and Parmesan for a savory finish. Serve them warm and enjoy a soft, chewy bite with every taste!
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Prep Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Equipment

  • 1 Oven

Ingredients
  

For the Dough

  • 185 g Lukewarm Water
  • 100 g Lukewarm Milk
  • 25 g Fresh Yeast or 7g Dry Yeast
  • 1 tsp Sugar
  • 500 g All-Purpose Flour (type 550 or 650)
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 60 g Melted Butter

For Boiling

  • 2-3 liters Water
  • 30 g Baking Soda
  • 1/2 tsp Salt

For Topping

  • 1 pc Egg Yolk mixed with 3 tbsp milk or water
  • Coarse Salt for Sprinkling
  • Parmesan Cheese optional

Instructions
 

Prepare the Dough:

  • Combine lukewarm water, milk, yeast, and sugar in a bowl. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add the yeast mixture and melted butter.
  • Knead the dough (by hand or with a stand mixer) until smooth and elastic, about 8–10 minutes.

First Rise:

  • Cover the dough with a cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

Shape the Pretzel Buns:

  • Divide the dough into 9 equal portions.
  • Roll each portion into a thin oval, 30–35 cm (12–14 inches) long.
  • Shape the dough diagonally into a roll, overlapping and sealing the ends tightly.

Second Rise:

  • Place the shaped buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover them with a cloth or plastic wrap and let them rise for 25–30 minutes, until noticeably puffed.
  • Boil the Buns:
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Bring 2–3 liters of water to a boil. Add baking soda and salt.
  • Gently boil each bun for 30 seconds on each side. Remove with a slotted spoon and place back on the baking sheet.

Add Finishing Touches:

  • Brush each bun with the egg yolk and milk mixture.
  • Sprinkle with coarse salt or Parmesan cheese, as desired.

Bake:

  • Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
  • Reduce the temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for 15–20 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.

Cool and Serve:

  • Allow the buns to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.
Keyword pretzel, soft pretzel buns