Now, transfer your dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes. I love this part because I can feel the dough transform from a sticky mess to a smooth ball. Once it’s nice and elastic, place it back into your bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about an hour until it doubles in size. The smell of the yeast waking up is simply heavenly.
Once the dough is ready, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil and stir in the baking soda. This step gives our pretzel dogs that classic flavor and color. Take your risen dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, and then wrap it around a hot dog, making sure to enclose the cheesy goodness in between. You can add cheese to the hot dog first or in between the layers of dough—either way, it’s delicious!
Next, carefully drop each wrapped pretzel dog into the boiling baking soda water for about 30 seconds. This sounds weird, but it’s key to achieving that chewy pretzel crust! Once they’re done, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush them with the beaten egg, and sprinkle some coarse kosher salt on top. Bake them for about 15–20 minutes or until they’re golden brown. How my kitchen smells during this time is pure bliss!
Pro Tips for Best Results
I’ve tested this recipe a few ways, and one of my top tips is to ensure your water is at the right temperature. Too hot and it’ll kill the yeast, too cold and it won’t activate. Use a thermometer if you’re unsure, or just trust your instincts and touch!
Also, kneading is essential. I find that my pretzel dogs turn out softer when I really take the time to knead the dough thoroughly. If you’ve never kneaded before, it’s a great workout for your arms, and you’ll be rewarded with delicious pretzel dogs that are perfectly fluffy.
Lastly, don’t skip the boiling step! It feels a bit unorthodox, but trust me—it’s the secret to getting that perfect pretzel texture. I once skipped it in a rush, and the result was a pretzel dog that was just… sad and lacking the depth of flavor I was craving.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One mistake I made early on was to use cold hot dogs. When I wrapped the dough around them and baked, the heat from the hot dogs didn’t permeate through, resulting in a less than satisfying cheesy center. Always make sure your hot dogs are at room temperature for the best results. **(See the next page below to continue…)**