Homemade Pretzel Dog Recipe

Last Updated on October 2, 2023 by Michele Tripple

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This homemade pretzel dog recipe is so fun to make this time of year as it combines hot dogs with soft pretzel bread! These are simple to make and fun for the kids (and you) to enjoy!

Homemade Pretzel hot dogs

Living in Texas there is one thing we know better than anything and that’s BBQ and the fair! But this year the fair is not happening (crying to myself) so we are all about the fair food this year in our house! From air fryer corn on the cob to air fryer pizza rolls we are making it. 

So we decided to try our hand at making homemade pretzel hot dogs. These were a huge hit in our house, especially with the kids. Who am I kidding? We loved them too! And the best part is, they are so easy to make! 

If you are looking for more easy recipes be sure to try our air fryer Chex mix (done in 10 minutes!), Baked Ham and Cheese Sliders, and chocolate toffee popcorn

So are you ready to try your hand at this fun family dinner idea? Let’s get started!

Pretzel Dog Recipe 

Serves: 8 

Prep Time: 1 hour 

Cook Time: 12-15 minutes 

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes 

Ingredients: 

ingredients for homemade pretzel dogs

1 ½ cups warm beer, heated to 110-115 degrees 

1 Tablespoon granulated sugar 

1 Tablespoon dry active yeast 

4 ½ cups bread flour 

4 Tablespoons butter, melted 

8 hotdogs 

5 cups water 

¼ cup baking soda 

2 Tablespoons butter, melted 

Coarse salt 

Baking Sheets

Prep Bowls

Parchment Paper

Basting Brush

How to make pretzel dogs

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm beer, sugar, and yeast. 
  • Let the mixture sit for a few minutes or until it appears frothy and foamy. 
  • Using the paddle attachment, add the flour, salt, and 4 Tablespoons melted butter. 
  • Use medium speed to mix until well incorporated. 
  • Switch to the dough attachment and knead on medium speed for about 5 minutes. You should see the dough start pulling away from the bowl. The dough should be sticky but not stick to your fingers. If it is too sticky, add one Tablespoon of flour at a time until it can be handled. 
  • Cover the bowl and place it in a warm place to rise for one hour. The dough should double in size. 
  • Halfway through rising time, preheat the oven to 450 degrees and prepare a baking sheet with a light coating of cooking spray. 
  • When the dough is ready, section it into 8 equal pieces and roll it into 8 long ropes. 
  •  Wrap the dough ropes around the hot dogs, trimming when you get to the end.
  •  Meanwhile, boil the 5 cups of water, add the baking soda, and stir. When the water is boiling, drop each hot dog pretzel into the water one at a time and allow it to sit for 30 seconds. 
  • Remove the pretzel dog from the water and place them on the prepared baking sheet, evenly apart and brush the remaining melted butter on top. Sprinkle coarse salt over the butter. 
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes or until they are beautifully golden brown. 

Tips Tricks and FAQ

  • To prevent the bottoms from overcooking, place an extra baking sheet underneath the one you have the hot dogs on. This provides an extra barrier for the heat to pass through and prevents them from getting too brown and crispy. 
  • It is important for this recipe to use warm beer. The yeast will not be able to do its job with cold or room temperature beer. To warm the beer, you can use the stovetop or use the microwave in 15-second intervals. Use a thermometer to get an accurate temperature. 
  • Beer replacement – If you do not want to use beer, you can make this recipe with water instead. Just use 1 ½ cups warm water instead and make sure it is heated to the proper temperature, 110 degrees. 

Can I use Rapid Yeast? 

Yes, you can use rapid yeast but you will need to follow the package directions for expected rising time. 

Typically rapid rise yeast takes less than half the amount of time to rise. Either way, the dough is done when it has doubled in size so that is a safe guideline to follow. For this particular recipe, I prefer regular yeast. It allows me time to prepare the rest of the meal and get the water and baking soda for dipping. 

Topping Variations

Of course, salt is my most favorite, but there are so many other toppings you can try! Try:

● Poppy Seeds 

● Sesame Seeds 

● Everything Bagel Seasoning 

● Dried onion flakes 

● Dried Herbs 

You can also try seasoning the butter. Give these additions a try: 

● Garlic Powder 

● Herbs 

● Honey Mustard

Storage 

These pretzels are best right out of the oven, but they do reheat well. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Microwave to heat them. 

You can also put them in the oven to try to crisp them up a bit after you microwave. Reheating them in the oven will take a LONG time and will leave the pretzel overcooked. 

Freezing

These pretzel dogs do not freeze well. However, you can prepare the dough ahead of time and freeze it before wrapping around the hot dogs. 

The day you decide to make your pretzel dogs, just take the dough out of the freezer and thaw it before you twist it around the hotdogs.

The day you decide to make your pretzel dogs, just take the dough out of the freezer and thaw it before you twist it around the hotdogs.

homemade pretzel dog in basket

More Kid Favorite Treats!

Love what you see? Leave a comment and don’t forget to rate it below! We always love knowing how your recipe turns out! Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @micheletripple to show me your finished product!

Yield: 8

Homemade Pretzel Dogs

homemade pretzel dog in basket

These homemade pretzel hot dogs are so fun to make this time of year as it combines hot

Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 12 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups warm beer, heated to 110 115 degrees
  • 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon dry active yeast
  • 4 ½ cups bread flour
  • 4 Tablespoons butter, melted
  • 8 hotdogs
  • 5 cups water
  • ¼ cup baking soda
  • 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
  • Coarse salt

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm beer, sugar, and yeast.
  2. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes or until it appears frothy and foamy.
  3. Using the paddle attachment, add the flour, salt, and 4 Tablespoons melted butter.
  4. Use medium speed to mix until well incorporated.
  5. Switch to the dough attachment and knead on medium speed for about 5 minutes. You should see the dough start pulling away from the bowl. The dough should be sticky but not stick to your fingers. If it is too sticky, add one Tablespoon of flour at a time until it can be handled.
  6. Cover the bowl and place it in a warm place to rise for one hour. The dough should double in size.
  7. Halfway through rising time, preheat the oven to 450 degrees and prepare a baking sheet with a light coating of cooking spray.
    When the dough is ready, section it into 8 equal pieces and roll it into 8 long ropes.
  8. Wrap the dough ropes around the hot dogs, trimming when you get to the end.
  9. Meanwhile, boil the 5 cups of water, add the baking soda, and stir. When the water is boiling, drop each hot dog pretzel into the water one at a time and allow it to sit for 30 seconds.
  10. Remove the pretzel dog from the water and place them on the prepared baking sheet, evenly apart and brush the remaining melted butter on top. Sprinkle coarse salt over the butter.
  11. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until they are beautifully golden brown.

Notes

  • To prevent the bottoms from overcooking, place an extra baking sheet underneath the one you have the hot dogs on. This provides an extra barrier for the heat to pass through and prevents them from getting too brown and crispy.
  • It is important for this recipe to use warm beer. The yeast will not be able to do its job with cold or room temperature beer. To warm the beer, you can use the stovetop or use the microwave in 15-second intervals. Use a thermometer to get an accurate temperature.
  • Beer replacement - If you do not want to use beer, you can make this recipe with water instead. Just use 1 ½ cups warm water instead and make sure it is heated to the proper temperature, 110 degrees.

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