Homemade Pretzel Dogs are my go-to appetizer for parties and game day. They are easy to make and so delicious! You’ll love the crunchy, chewy texture from the hot dogs wrapped in an easy bread dough. These are better than any pretzel hot dog you’ll find in the mall!
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These pretzel wrapped hot dogs are so fun. They look great and are delicious! Always a hit on game day with the kids, or for a BBQ or picnic.
I love the chewy salty pretzel dough surrounding a savory beef hot dog, perfectly crispy when baked. I bet making dough at home is easier than you think.
Pretzel Wrapped Hot Dogs
Pretzel dogs are the delicious combination of salty, chewy soft pretzels and juicy hot dogs. What’s not to love? Ditch the mall bought versions and rustle up this yummy appetizer at home. They make for a delicious lunch, dinner or party snack. Make a big batch and kids and adults will flock to them!
Looking for more oven baked recipes? Why not also try my Garlic Pull Apart Rolls and my Dutch Oven Jalapeno Bread?
I insist on sprinkling some garlic parmesan seasoning to make garlic parmesan pretzel dogs. I love garlic parmesan and have also made French Fries, Homemade Tortilla Chips, Roasted Asparagus, and Pasta Chips.
Ingredients
- Water: Make sure it’s warm so the yeast blooms properly. This gives the pretzel dough moisture.
- Brown Sugar: Acts as food for the yeast. Granulated sugar or honey could be used if you prefer.
- Yeast: I’m using active dry yeast. If you use instant yeast, skip step 1 and simply mix all of the ingredients together at once.
- Flour: Gives the pretzels structure. If your dough feels especially wet, you can add up to ¼ cup additional flour.
- Salt: Kosher salt enhances the flavor of the dough. I highly recommend kosher salt, not table salt.
- Hot Dogs: I’m using classic all-beef hot dogs! Don’t use jumbo size, regular size is best.
- Egg: Helps the salt stick to the pretzels but it also helps the pretzels brown in the oven. Make sure your egg is at room temperature.
Variations & Substitutions
- You can make pretzel dogs with wheat flour instead of white flour as well. Wheat flour tends to be more dense than white, so you may need to add extra water to the dough to keep it from being too thick and heavy.
- To make pretzel dogs into mini pretzel dogs, cut the hot dogs into 3 or 4 small pieces, then wrap them in smaller pieces of pretzel rope. Boil, then bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- I love all-beef hot dogs for their classic taste, but you can use beef and pork, pork, or even chicken hot dogs.
- Try switching up the hot dogs for sausages, cheese-stuffed brats, or vegan hot dogs!
- Try topping the pretzels with granulated garlic, everything bagel seasoning, or pretzel salt.
- Use frozen dinner rolls in place of making pretzel dough from scratch. Thaw it the night before and use.
- To make vegan or vegetarian pretzel dogs, use vegetarian hot dog and vegan butter.
Pretzel Dogs vs Pigs In A Blanket
Pretzel dogs and pigs in a blanket are prepared nearly the same; however, pretzel dogs are wrapped in pretzel dough and pigs in a blanket are wrapped in plain or croissant dough.
Another difference is pretzel dogs are boiled in soda water to get that signature chewy texture and brown color.
Air Fryer Pretzel Dogs
Brush the air fryer basket with olive oil, then place the dogs a few inches apart to leave room for expansion (you may need to cook in batches). Heat the air fryer to 390°F and bake for about 7 minutes, or until lightly browned, flipping halfway through if desired. You can make donuts in air fryer too!
What does it mean to “bloom” yeast?
To bloom yeast means to dissolve it in warm liquid (often with a little bit of sugar) and leave it for a few minutes, or until foamy. Proofing yeast ensures that it is alive and vigorous enough to make your dough rise.
Tips For Success
- I recommend using your favorite brand of hot dogs so you know you’ll love them! Make sure to pat them dry before wrapping in the dough.
- Do not skip the baking soda bath. This step is responsible for the authentic golden brown, chewy texture.
How to Store and Reheat
Refrigerate: Store leftover pretzel dogs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
Make ahead: Pretzel dogs can be made up to 1 day in advance of when you plan to serve them. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
Freeze: You can freeze pretzel dogs before or after baking. Before baking, space out pretzel dogs in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid. Then, transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag and store for up to 3 months. Bake them from frozen in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
After baking, store in a airtight container or Ziplock bag and store for up to 3-4 months. Reheat and serve.
Serving Suggestions
These easy pretzel dogs are made for dipping. One of my favorite dipping sauces for pretzel dogs is a spicy honey mustard! Mix ¼ cup honey, ¼ cup grainy mustard, and a dash of hot sauce in a small bowl.
I also tried these oven baked pretzels dogs with Homemade Buffalo Sauce, Fry Sauce, and Chick Fil A Sauce. Dip, dunk, smother—there’s so many yummy dipping sauces to try!
Pretzel Dogs Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 cup water 227 grams, warm (100-110°F)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar 13 grams
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast 7 grams (1 envelope)
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour 270 grams
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 grams
- 8 hot dogs all-beef recommended
- ¼ cup baking soda 72 grams
- 1 large egg 50 grams, beaten with a splash of water
- flaky salt for garnish
- sesame seeds optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the warm water, brown sugar, and active dry yeast to a large bowl and stir to combine. Set aside for the yeast to bloom for 5 minutes.1 cup water, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- Add the flour and kosher salt. Stir with a dough whisk or wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until it is smooth and tacky, about 2-3 minutes. You’ll know the dough is ready when you poke it gently and it springs back.
- Cover the dough (with plastic wrap or a damp towel) and place it in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 90 minutes.
- When the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a 10-inch long rope and then wrap it around one of the hot dogs. Pinch the seams together at the ends to ensure the pretzel dough doesn’t become unwrapped.8 hot dogs
- Preheat the oven to 400°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and bring a large pot of water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium (a gentle boil) and very slowly add the baking soda.¼ cup baking soda
- Cook the pretzels in the boiling water 1-2 at a time (making sure not to crowd the pan) for 30 seconds. Then flip the pretzel dogs and cook them for an additional 30 seconds.
- Remove the pretzels from the water bath and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Brush the pretzels with egg wash and sprinkle with salt or sesame seeds.1 large egg, flaky salt, sesame seeds
- Bake the pretzel dogs for 20-22 minutes or until the pretzels are golden brown. Serve immediately.
Video
Becky’s Tips
- Try switching up the hot dogs for sausages, cheese-stuffed brats, or vegan hot dogs!
- Try topping the pretzels with granulated garlic or everything bagel seasoning.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces!
- For a time-saving hack, use store-bought pizza dough. Begin the recipe at step 5.
- To make vegan or vegetarian pretzel dogs, use vegetarian hot dogs and vegan butter.
- You can make pretzel dogs with wheat flour instead of white flour as well. Wheat flour tends to be more dense than white, so you may need to add extra water to the dough to keep it from being too thick and heavy.
- Do not skip the baking soda bath. This step is responsible for the authentic golden brown chewy texture.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Pretzel Dogs
Bloom the yeast: In a large bowl add 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and 2¼ teaspoons of active dry yeast and stir to combine. Set aside for the yeast to bloom for 5 minutes.
Prepare the dough: Mix your dough ingredients, add 2¼ cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon kosher salt in the same bowl. Stir with a dough whisk or wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until it is smooth and tacky. It takes about 2-3 minutes. You’ll know the dough is ready when you poke in it gently and it springs back.
Proof the dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a damp towel and place it in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 90 minutes.
Wrap the hot dogs: When the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a 10-inch long rope.
Wrap it around one of the hot dogs (I use 8 hot dogs in total). Pinch the seams together at the ends to ensure the pretzel dough doesn’t become unwrapped.
Preheat the oven and boil in baking soda bath: Preheat the oven to 400°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium (a gentle boil) and very slowly add ¼ cup baking soda.
Cook the pretzels in the boiling water 1-2 at a time (making sure not to crowd the pan) for 30 seconds. Then flip the pretzel dogs and cook them for an additional 30 seconds.
Bake & Serve: Remove the pretzels from the water bath and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Brush the pretzels with egg wash, sprinkle with salt and bake for 20 to 22 mins.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Simple and delicious! These pretzel dogs are that perfect combination of crispy, juicy and savory! They’ll become a favorite with kids and adults. Great as part of a meal or party snack, use your favorite hot dogs and whip these up in no time!
