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Soft Baked Cheesy Pretzel Dogs Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.1 from 45 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 8 pretzel dogs
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Soft Baked Cheesy Pretzel Dogs are a delicious twist on classic pretzels, featuring hot dogs wrapped in a soft, chewy pretzel dough with melted cheddar cheese inside. Perfect for a fun snack or party appetizer, they’re boiled in baking soda water for that signature pretzel crust and baked until golden brown. Serve warm with mustard or your favorite dipping sauce for an irresistible treat.


Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg, beaten

Filling and Topping

  • 8 hot dogs
  • 8 slices cheddar cheese
  • Coarse salt, for sprinkling
  • Mustard or your favorite dipping sauce (optional)


Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Mix Dough: In a large mixing bowl, mix the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture to the flour and stir until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  4. First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
  5. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  6. Prepare Baking Soda Bath: In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil and add the baking soda. Stir to dissolve fully.
  7. Divide Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release air and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
  8. Shape Dough Around Hot Dogs: Roll each dough piece into a rope long enough to wrap around a hot dog and a slice of cheese. Wrap a slice of cheese around each hot dog, then encase it completely with the dough, pinching ends and edges to seal.
  9. Boil Wrapped Dogs: Using a slotted spoon, carefully dip each wrapped pretzel dog into the boiling baking soda water for 30 seconds. This step gives the pretzels their characteristic crust.
  10. Arrange and Season: Transfer the boiled pretzel dogs onto the prepared baking sheets. Brush each with beaten egg and sprinkle generously with coarse salt.
  11. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they turn a deep golden brown.
  12. Cool and Serve: Let the pretzel dogs cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm with mustard or your favorite dipping sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

  • Make sure the water for activating the yeast is not too hot to avoid killing the yeast.
  • Boiling in the baking soda bath is crucial for the authentic pretzel crust texture.
  • Use parchment paper on baking sheets for easy cleanup and preventing sticking.
  • For extra flavor, try different cheeses or add spices to the dough.
  • These pretzel dogs are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in the oven to restore softness.