How to Make Bavarian Pretzels and Homemade Hummus Dip

Most people only eat pretzels at shopping malls or carnivals, but you can make them right at home! When you get them at the mall, they usually come with cheese or garlic butter dipping sauce. We’ll pair the pretzels with a delicious homemade hummus dip to spice things up for this recipe.

Pretzels have been favored by millions since Germany invented them way back in the seventh century. Today, they’ve evolved into a popular bar and baseball game snack with tons of different varieties and flavors.

You’ll need some time and patience to make this recipe, so you may want to save it for the weekend. Once you try your delicious creation, though, all that elbow grease will have paid off. Below, we’ll show you how to make homemade pretzels with hummus dip.

Here’s how to make easy Bavarian pretzels and homemade hummus dip

Gather these kitchen supplies, first:

Pastry brushLarge mixing bowlMeasuring cupsBaking sheetParchment paperWhiskSifterSpatula or spoonCutting board or baker’s tableLarge potFood processor

Ingredients for the pretzels:

3 cups all-purpose flour1 tbsp instant yeast1 1/2 tsp brown sugar2 tbsp softened butter1 7/12 cup water1/2 tsp salt3 tbsp baking sodaHimalayan pink salt

Ingredients for making hummus:

2 cups chickpeas3 tbsp tahini1 tbsp olive oil1/2 tsp chili powder1/4 tsp black pepperGarlic cloveFreshly squeezed lemonFresh parsley

Directions for making the pretzels:

First, pour 1 cup of all-purpose flour into your bowl. Next, add the instant yeast, brown sugar, softened butter, and water. Whisk until fully combined.Rest for 15 minutes. Then, add the salt into the bowl.Hold the sifter over the bowl, and sift the remaining two cups of all-purpose flour into the mixture.Use a spatula or spoon to further combine the ingredients for the dough.Then, spoon out the dough onto a cutting board or baker’s table. Sprinkle some flour onto the dough to keep it from sticking.Knead the dough into a baguette-like shape. Then, use a knife to cut the dough lengthwise into six smaller pieces.Use your hands to form the dough into balls. Cover with saran wrap and rest for a few minutes.Now for the fun part! Take the first piece of dough and roll it into a long, thin rope-like shape. Now, take the ends of the dough and pull them down, forming a hot air balloon shape.Then, cross the ends over each other at the bottom, and twist them upwards twice. Place the ends in the middle of the top section of the dough, forming a mini pretzel. Repeat this with the other five dough balls.Next, get out your large pot and fill it about halfway with water. Bring it to a boil, and add the baking soda.Allow it to fizz and dissolve, then place the first pretzel in the water. Let it rest in the water for 20-30 seconds, then place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.Repeat with the other pretzels, then use your pastry brush to rub melted butter onto the pretzels.Sprinkle the pretzels with Himalayan pink salt, and bake at 450 degrees F for 10-15 minutes.

Directions for making the hummus:

In a food processor, blend 2 cups of chickpeas, 3 tbsp tahini, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Add in 1/2 tsp chili powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.Blend until you have a mealy texture, then add one garlic clove. Squeeze some fresh lemon into the mixture, and use a spatula to combine it.Next, add 1/4 cup of cold water, and keep blending until fully combined. The texture should now be smooth and creamy.Scoop out the hummus into a small bowl, topping with fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.Plate your pretzels and enjoy!

Tips and tricks for making amazing pretzels

If you’re not a big hummus fan, you can easily make other dipping sauces for the pretzels. Popular options include cheese, honey mustard, beer cheese, ranch, or even chocolate hazelnut if you have a sweet tooth! Actually, the chocolate would make a nice contrast with the salty pretzels.Boiling the pretzels in baking soda and water gives the pretzels their traditional brown color. It also helps keep the pretzels soft on the inside and adds to the flavor. Chefs use food-grade lye for this step, but baking soda works just as well.Instead of brushing the pretzels with butter, you can also use egg wash.You can even make pretzel bites by cutting the dough into tiny, bite-sized pieces!Alternatives to salted pretzels include cinnamon sugar, garlic cheddar, parmesan, or everything bagel pretzels.

As you can see, you can get really creative with your pretzel-making! Once you have the traditional recipe down, you can start branching off and trying new creations. Pretzels make a great after-school or work snack, and they actually don’t take long to make. The most time-consuming part is probably kneading the dough, but everything else is a piece of cake.

We guarantee these will give the kiosk inside your local mall a run for their money. You may even swear off mall pretzels forever after you try this recipe! Wash it down with a beer, or if you don’t drink, it pairs well with lemonade or iced tea.

Final Thoughts: Making your own Bavarian pretzels and hummus dip is surprisingly easy

Who knew that making pretzels is actually easier than it looks? All it requires is mixing the ingredients for the dough, kneading it, and twisting it into a pretzel. For the hummus dip, you need a food processor and a few ingredients, and you have an easy, healthy sauce. Maybe you’ve been looking for a new after-work snack, or you want to try out a new recipe. No matter the circumstance, these pretzels are light and savory snacks that you can enjoy any time of day.

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