Simple Pretzel Dogs + Video
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Pretzel Dogs feature all-beef dogs baked inside of soft pretzel buns. They’re soft, chewy, and satisfyingly savory. Plus, they’re ready in just 35 minutes so you can make this pretzel dogs recipe any night!
Pretzel Dogs
This pretzel dog recipe is perfect for dinner but even better for serving on game day.
Soft pretzels and beer with cheesy hot dogs are perfect party food, and it doesn’t get much better than having them all together in one bite!
These baked hot dogs are so much tastier than anything you can buy pre-made. Plus, they are so much fun to make, especially if you get your kids to help you.
You don’t even need a stand mixer. Because beer and pretzels go so well together, we use beer as the liquid in the dough for the pretzel dog buns!
It adds a little punch of flavor, and oh boy, it’s spectacular!
Recipe Video
To see us make this pretzel hot dog recipe from start to finish, watch the video in this post!
Some of our other favorite pretzel recipes are perfect party food too!
Jalapeño Popper Bread Bombs are filled with cream cheese and spicy jalapeno. The soft bread on the outside makes them irresistible.
If all you’re looking for is a soft pretzel to dip into cheese sauce, make the Best Ever Soft Pretzel Bites. Then, make a batch of beer cheese sauce to dip them in!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Hot Dogs – You can use organic, all beef, nitrate-free, sausages, or whatever makes you happy.
I am going to make these in mini size next time which will make for the perfect appetizer! - Beer – You can substitute milk or water for the beer if needed. I prefer Blue Moon in this pretzel dog recipe, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
- Baking Soda – This doesn’t go in the dough — it goes in the boiling water! It’s the secret to making pretzel dough (and bagels too).
- Honey – Adds a little sweetness to the dough and provides the necessary sugar to feed the yeast. Don’t skip it!
- Salt – Use kosher salt in the dough, plus coarse or pretzel salt on the outside of the buns for crunch and flavor.
Tips and Tricks to Make the Perfect Pretzel Dog
- Make sure the beer is warm.
Microwave the beer in a microwave-safe glass measuring cup for 15 seconds at a time. For the yeast to activate, the beer should be 110-120°F.
- Roll the dough into long strands.
We’re not wrapping each hot dog up like a burrito! Instead, you’ll wind the strand around the dog from top to bottom, creating a spiral effect.
Not only will it stay attached more easily, but you’re guaranteed an even thickness and even cooking!
- Don’t have a stand mixer?
You can easily mix the dough by hand! Just add the beer, yeast, and honey to a large mixing bowl.
Once the yeast blooms, stir in the salt and the flour, then use a spoon to combine everything. Proceed with the pretzel dogs recipe as instructed.
- Use a large enough pot for boiling water.
The water will bubble up when you add the baking soda, so you don’t want it to be too full to start!
Prep Ahead
- Make the pretzel dough
- Preheat oven to 450°F
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Baking Sheet lined with Parchment Paper – Used for anything from cookies to roasting, a good baking pan will last for years.
- Large Pot – You must boil each pretzel dog before baking to get that classic pretzel dough!
- Stand Mixer or Large Bowl
- Rolling Pin – If you don’t have wine, a clean wine bottle will do the job.
- Slotted Spoon for getting the dogs in and out of the boiling water.
Serving Suggestions
You’ll need dipping sauces for your pretzel dogs, and there are so many delicious options to choose from!
Ketchup, mustard (or honey mustard), and nacho cheese are top picks, but I think Chick Fil A sauce would be tasty too.
For game day, you’ll obviously want to pair these with other appetizers and snacks. But for dinner, all you need is some chips and fruit salad or a big bowl of Nana’s Southern potato salad!
Storing and Reheating Pretzel Hot Dog Leftovers
The dough’s texture is best when eaten right away, but you can refrigerate leftovers for 4-5 days in the refrigerator. Store in an airtight container or zippered bag once cooled.
Reheat leftovers in the oven or air fryer at 375°F for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through.
Pretzel Dogs Recipe FAQ
This is a great make-ahead recipe, and homemade pretzel dogs freeze well too!
When you’re ready to serve them, thaw each pretzel hot dog in the fridge, then pop them in a 350°F oven until warm, about 5-8 minutes.
Baking soda makes the boiling water more alkaline, giving the dough a chewy texture and that iconic pretzel flavor.
It also helps the dough achieve that deep, golden color when baked in the oven.
Sure! You’ll prepare them the same way, including the boiling step, but preheat your air fryer instead of your oven. Cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes in the air fryer, flipping halfway if needed.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Easy Pretzel Recipes
Simple Pretzel Dogs + Video
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 12 ounces warmed beer, 110°-120°F* see notes
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 large egg
- coarse salt, or pretzel salt
- 8 hot dogs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Pour beer into the bowl of a stand mixer (see cooks note if you do not have a stand mixer), sprinkle yeast over top, add honey and stir. Allow yeast to bloom for 5-10 minutes. Once it is nice and foamy, it is ready.
- Fill an 8-quart pot with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. In a small bowl beat egg and 2 tablespoons water with a fork. Set aside. Wash a section of countertop for rolling out dough. Do not flour it or it will be harder to roll out the dough.
- Add flour and salt to mixer. Knead for about 3 minutes until the dough comes together in one ball. Add more flour a tablespoon at a time as needed, if the bread is too sticky to come together. The dough should be tacky when you pull it out of the mixer, not sticky.
- Place dough on countertop and form dough into a ball.
- We are going to cut this ball into 8 (somewhat) even pieces. First, quarter the ball of dough. Then cut each quarter in half. Roll each piece into a 12” strand.
- Place the end of the dough strand on the end of the hot dog pinching the end together, and then wrap it around the dog until all of the dough is wrapped around the dog. Pinch the ends so they stay together.
- Carefully, add baking soda to boiling water. USE CAUTION: IT WILL BUBBLE UP. Place hot dogs into boiling water about 3 at a time. Remove with a slotted spoon after 30 seconds. Place on parchment paper to cool and repeat until all hot dogs have been boiled.
- Arrange all pretzel dogs on parchment so they are not touching. Brush eggwash onto each one and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake for 11-13 minutes until the tops are browned.
- Enjoy!
Video
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published April 2014, updated and republished September 2024
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do u have to warm the milk or water to 110-120 degrees also if you use them instead of beer?
yes it needs to be warm for the yeast
Wow.. this looks really nice. It is a great idea to add beer, so special. Definitely, I like to try wrapping bacon, ham or even with bell pepper and cheeses. 🙂
I just made these. Amazing!
These are a great, made them for the kids for lunch. (Honestly did not want to go to the store for rolls) They assisted and they want them again. Thank you. This is a great activity to involve children you are right and they enjoy it.
Mine puffed up a LOT, which surprised me, since there was no rise time. Definitely got to wrap some cheese in with the next batch, thanks!
To freeze them, should I bath and freeze, or the baking soda bath must be right before baking? So I would bath it frozen, and bake right away..
Thank you!!
Thank you for such clear directions. I can't sit to try this love pretzel ANYTHING. lol. Will try your other pretzel recipes as well.
Made these with the kids last night. They had a blast helping me roll out the dough and wrapping the dogs. Super easy to make and delicious. Made a double batch for my large family (6 kids) and only had 1 left. Keeper! Thanks for the recipe.
I used water instead of beer. They were wonderful. Husband and kids loved. Will make again. Thank you!
Any tips to make these just as pretzels? Thanks!
Just tried these. Not sure what happened but it was a MAJOR fail :'(
I have a very upset little girl. Used my stand mixer and followed the directions to a t. The dough was SO sticky, even after adding almost an extra half pound of flour, that it literally pulled the grout out of our countertop.
I made these tonight and they were so good! I was really surprised at how easy they were to make. I thought they'd be a much bigger production. This one is definitely going into rotation.
I made these last night because I had no buns. Used skim milk instead of beer & had to add an additional 1/2 c of flour & they turned out fantastic. Mine turned out enormous but I think it was because I only had bread machine yeast in the house & you obviously need less. Very surprised how quick & easy they were. Looking forward to trying on the grandkids. Thanks so much this is a keeper!
The pretzel hot dogs look fantastic, but my question is: what type of mixer is that??
Beautiful photos! These pretzel dogs are just asking for me to take a bite. I’ve actually been craving pretzels today, so I think this means that I’ll be making these soon. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
What machine did you use to mix the dough, it looks awesome. Please let me know.
Can't wait to make these they look yum.
what kind of beer?
What if you dont use the hot dogs, will the boiling and baking times be the same?
Do you think this would work with the Lil Smokies instead of hot dogs?
can this be froze after the boiling point and then pulled from the freezer and put right into the oven?
Before I start, let me make it clear I am not being critical, just offering some helpful hints. Back in the day I was a home ec teacher. The first rule of cooking I taught was read the recipe ALL the way through before beginning and then read it again until you have in mind the steps needed. Most of the questions asked here would not have needed to be asked if this simple rule was followed. The recipe could also have been made clearer if at the end of the recipe the pot of boiling water, baking soda, egg wash and course pretzel salt were listed under a heading such as: "To finish:". The list of ingredients for the dough under the heading: :For the dough:"
I couldn't agree more. But some of these recipes are as confusing as the website!
These look perfect for make-ahead meals and/or snacks. The recipe indicates you boil and bake everything, then freeze. And, reheat for 5-8 minutes. I'm wondering if you'd get a "fresher" taste if you froze after the boil, then baked for 15-18 minutes, when ready to serve. If you're already cranking up the oven for 8 minutes, you might as well do the entire 18 minutes … if you see what I mean!
These taste great and they freeze well too. We added them to our October meal plan since they are a family fave.
These R Fantastic! When I make these for a crowd, I cut each hot dog into 4 sections right when they come out of the oven; pop in a tooth pick, put on large platter and serve with my mustard dipping sauce.
They disappear in a blink of an eye. Everyone loves them.
Thank you
I have made these three times now. They are delicious, but the dough needs way more flour than the recipe calls for. I would say close to a cup more. They are beyond delicious and the beer is a nice touch, but not necessary. I cook these on a silpat mat and that works fine.