Healthy Soft Pretzel Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can soft pretzels be healthy? ›

Pretzels may be better than some fatty chips, but four out of five nutrition experts surveyed by Time say if you're trying to eat healthy, pretzels shouldn't be your go-to snack. Although pretzels are low-fat, they are also pretty paltry on the protein and fiber front, and they can be quite high in sodium and carbs.

Soft pretzels have a shorter baking time

Soft pretzels can usually be baked in 15 minutes; hard pretzels, meanwhile, must be baked for up to an hour. The longer baking time further dries out the pretzel. And, as we have discussed, the lack of moisture is what gives the hard pretzel its brittle texture.

Lye. The dough is simple; take a basic yeast-risen dough that can be readied in an afternoon. But the trick to great pretzels is dipping the pretzels in a liquid wash before baking — and not just any wash, but a combination of water and lye. That's what gives pretzels their terrific color, texture and flavor.

Most pretzels have a pretty low fiber content—less than 5% of the Daily Value in one serving. Fiber provides many benefits and is key for digestive health, cholesterol management, satiety and blood sugar regulation. That being said, some companies now make whole-grain pretzels with slightly higher fiber content.

Pretzels. Sure, pretzels are low in fat and are not fried. But these snacks are typically made from refined white flour, an ingredient that may be pro-inflammatory. Choose whole-grain snacks like whole-grain crackers, air-popped popcorn, or veggie chips instead of refined white flour-forward snacks.

Pretzels

Pretzels are all refined carbs. In other words, you might as well be throwing back jelly beans. They have no fiber, no protein and no healthy fat to keep you satisfied or add health benefits to the calories you're consuming. Instead, go for a small handful of nuts or other snacks full of fiber.

As you can see in the table above, one soft pretzel could contain 2.5 times more calories and carbs than one serving of hard pretzels. A soft pretzel also has twice as much salt per serving. Still, one soft pretzel contains more vitamins and minerals than a serving of hard pretzels.

Popcorn triumphed over pretzels for a number of reasons, as Joyce Hendley originally reported for EatingWell. Whole Grain: First, popcorn is 100-percent whole grain. Most Americans don't get enough whole grains, and they provide a healthy boost of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.

The origin of pretzels is in Germany, in particular around Stuttgart, although the Bavarians claim having invented the pretzels, and they are sold with crumbles of salt. Salt is the standard. You can also get them with butter additionally, or with lunch meat, ham, cheese, spread cheese.

The stats of a single 1-ounce handful of pretzels (110 calories, 23 grams of carbs, 1 gram of fiber) are nearly identical to two slices of plain old white bread. And don't be fooled by pretzels that appear to be whole grain; most really aren't.

Who eats the most soft pretzels? ›

Who Eats the Most? So, who eats the most pretzels in the U.S.? That honor goes to Philadelphia. While Americans on average eat around 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) of pretzels annually, Philadelphians eat about 12 pounds (5.4 kilograms) per year!

Products sold at Auntie Anne's franchise locations are baked fresh in-store. In order to provide you with a great Auntie Anne's experience at home, we use the same proprietary blend of flour used in our stores.

While dough is rising, prepare a baking soda water bath with 2 cups warm water and 2 tbsp baking soda. Be certain to stir often. After dough has risen, pinch off bits of dough and roll into a long rope (about 1/2 inch or less thick) and shape. Dip pretzel in soda solution and place on greased baking sheet.

What Gives Pretzels Their Pretzel Flavor? You have baking soda to thank for that distinct pretzel flavor. Baking soda is highly alkaline and imparts that subtly metallic taste onto the dough before your pretzels go into the oven. Some recipes call for a lye bath, which does the same thing.

When you place the nutritional information of pretzels and potato chips side-by-side, you'll notice why pretzels are the healthier choice. Pretzels have less calories than potato chips and less saturated fat. As we all know, excessive calories and saturated fat can ruin a diet.

Popcorn triumphed over pretzels for a number of reasons, as Joyce Hendley originally reported for EatingWell. Whole Grain: First, popcorn is 100-percent whole grain. Most Americans don't get enough whole grains, and they provide a healthy boost of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.

Examples of ultra-processed foods include: Candy. Chips, crackers and pretzels.