Last updated on November 11th, 2019
Super easy homemade gluten-free soft pretzels that taste like the real deal! Incredibly soft inside with a chewy outside and the classic pretzel flavor. Dip in homemade cheese dip, mustard, or brush with melted butter. Either way, you won’t be able to eat just one.
This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill, a year-long partner of Snixy Kitchen
What’s the modern day equivalent of meeting your friends at the mall? When my kids hit middle school, will they just get together with friends to go window shopping on their computers next to each other? Maybe they won’t even see their friends in real life and just send links back and forth. That’d be a shame though because they’ll miss out on filling up bags of assorted candy and splitting cheap buttery soft pretzels with cheese dip.
(Sidenote: Lucas and I tried this as a date night while visiting my parents a few months back. It doesn’t hold up. My hometown mall is like a 90’s graveyard, except the only candy is in a vending machine).
I know I’m not the only one here whose generation was defined by that experience (and maybe a trip to a dim-lit counterculture clothing store). I know because when you search “soft pretzels” online, you get a bunch of hits that describe the recipe “as good as mall pretzels.”
These gluten-free soft pretzels are not “as good as mall pretzels.” Nope – they’re WAY BETTER than mall pretzels. They emerge fresh from the oven with a soft fluffy inside surrounded by a salted chewy shell. Unless you made them yourself, you’d never believe they’re gluten-free.
The BEST Gluten-Free Soft Pretzels
These doughy pretzels are the sixth recipe in a year-long partnership with Bob’s Red Mill. So far this year, I’ve made gluten-free pop tarts with strawberry jam, gluten-free matcha crepe cake, gluten-free almond flour pasta, gluten-free blueberry cobbler, and gluten-free breakfast oatmeal jam bars. Now, I’m sharing a recipe for the BEST gluten-free soft pretzels.
Having lived two years in Philly (pre-gluten-free), I have eaten my fair share soft pretzels – beyond the popular mall pretzels of my youth. My friends and I would drive an hour out of our way on weekends to a revered pretzel factory just for the perfect soft pretzel. These gluten-free soft pretzels hold their own against the very best!
What flours to use for gluten-free soft pretzels?
For a gluten-free bread dough that can be baked up as pretzels, I use a combination of Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free oat flour, sorghum flour, tapioca starch, and corn starch.
Oat flour add wholesome whole grain notes and soft moist texture. Together with sorghum flavor, the oat flour drives the flavor of the dough. These two flours also add significant protein and fiber, making this gluten-free bread dough similar in nutrition to a traditional bread dough.
Sorghum flour is a soft flour with slightly sweet notes that give the dough depth of flavor. Ever since I picked up a bag of Bob’s Red Mill sorghum flour for my gluten-free breakfast oatmeal jam bars, I’ve been experimenting with adding it to different recipes, each time even more pleased with the result.
Tapioca starch is added for a chewy texture and structure. Many recipes, such as Brazilian cheese bread, call for just tapioca starch. Alone it creates a chewy structure that holds up well as a bread. It’s essential for the classic pretzel chew.
Corn starch is crucial for creating the crisp browned shell classic to the outside of a pretzel.
For all of these flours, I only use Bob’s Red Mill brand flours, which I find are consistent in quality and the most finely ground to produce the best texture.
Why use milk in this gluten-free pretzel recipe?
This gluten-free pretzel dough uses milk in place of water in traditional pretzel dough recipes. The proteins in milk (caseins) can mimic gluten and help provide structure to the dough. From my experience testing gluten-free bread doughs with water versus milk, the milk aids in trapping the the air, creating a better crumb texture of the baked dough.
Some people who are gluten-intolerant have to avoid milk because of the similarities between caseins and gluten so if you’re one of those people, you can certainly make this recipe without milk! If you use water, try adding 1/2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar to the dough, which can also help trap the air bubbles!
Why do you dip pretzels in baking soda?
Before baking soft pretzels, most recipes call for dunking the pretzels in a bath of boiling water and baking soda. This baking soda bath does three essential things. Most importantly, it gives pretzels a recognizable flavor, one that is distinctly different than any other shaped bread. This bath also contributes to the brown shiny crust that develops in the oven after the dunk! That crust is also what gives pretzels their classic chewy texture!
What to serve with this gluten-free soft pretzel recipe?
There are so many things to serve with soft pretzels, but my personal favorite is a homemade cheese dip. Here I’ve used this 5-minute cheese sauce recipe, replacing the flour with sweet rice flour.
Here are a few other pretzel dip ideas:
- German mustard
- Brush the pretzels with melted butter fresh out of the oven
- Pizza sauce
- Chocolate sauce (woah!)
- Nutella
More Sorghum Flour Recipes
- Gluten-Free Breakfast Oatmeal Jam Bars
- Banana Rum Caramel Cake from From the Larder
- Gluten-Free Strawberry Blondie Bars from Heartbeet Kitchen
- Gluten-Free Sorghum Flour Pancakes from The Bojon Gourmet
- Sorghum Graham Crackers from Dish by Dish
The BEST Gluten-Free Soft Pretzels
Super easy homemade gluten-free soft pretzels that taste like the real deal! Incredibly soft inside with a chewy outside and the classic pretzel flavor. Dip in homemade cheese dip, mustard, or brush with melted butter. Either way, you won't be able to eat just one.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 3 tablespoons light (or dark) brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 ounce (2¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast (not instant)
- 1 cup + 2.5 tablespoons (140g) Bob’s Red Mill tapioca starch
- 1½ cups (180g) Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free oat flour
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons (80g) Bob’s Red Mill sorghum flour
- ½ cup + 1.5 tablespoons (74g) Bob’s Red Mill corn starch
- 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 8 cups water
- 1/3 cup baking soda
- 1 egg whisked with 1 tablespoon water, for brushing
- Pretzel salt or coarse sea salt
Instructions
- Warm the milk in a small pot to between 105-115°F (if you go over, just let it cool until the temperature is in that range so you don't kill the yeast). Transfer to a wide medium bowl and mix in brown sugar and salt. Slowly sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk and use a spoon to mix completely. Let set for 10 minutes while the yeast activates and foams. If your yeast hasn't gotten foamy by 10 minutes, you may have bad yeast and you should try again with a new packet.
- Meanwhile, combine oat flour, tapioca starch, sorghum flour, corn starch, and xanthan gum in the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment or a large mixing bowl. When the yeast mixture is ready, add it to the bowl with the flour along with the melted butter and mix on low to combine. If using a mixing bowl, mix with a wooden spoon until it's thick, then knead with your hands. Increase speed to medium and knead for 4-5 minutes until the dough is super smooth and pulls away from the edges a bit.
- With tapioca-flour dusted hands, transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, shaping it into a ball (It will be sticky and that's okay!). Cover with plastic and set in a warm place for 50-60 minutes, until doubled in size (I use the proof setting on my oven).
- Preheat oven to 450°F, line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silpat mat, and liberally brush the parchment paper with vegetable oiI. If using the proof setting in your oven, be sure to remove the dough before preheating! Bring 8 cups of water to boil with baking soda. Prepare the egg wash and pastry brush.
- Lightly wipe your rolling surface (cutting board, marble slab, counter top) with oil then turn out the dough and cut it into 8 equal wedges. One at a time, roll a dough wedge into a long 16-18-inch rope. Carefully, make a U-shape with the rope, then cross the ends over each other twice and fold them down, pressing the ends into the bottom to make the pretzel knot (see pictures above). This gluten-free dough is pliable, but more delicate than traditional gluten dough, so make sure to be gentle with the dough while folding so it doesn't break. Carefully transfer the pretzel to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all 8 pretzels.
- One at a time, use a spatula to gently lower the pretzels into the boiling baking soda bath for 25-30 seconds (any longer and the pretzels may develop a metallic taste). Gently lift the pretzel out of the water with the spatula, giving it a little tap to get rid of excess water, and return it to the baking sheet. Repeat with all 8 pretzels.
- Brush each pretzel with egg wash on top, sides, and grooves. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 15-17 minutes until dark golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with cheese dip, mustard, or brush with melted butter.
Karen @ The Food Charlatan -
It’s so true Eric and I stopped by the mall on our last date and it was so anti climactic. We were THIS close to splitting a pretzel but then we decided to get real dinner instead, haha. And hot topic was nowhere in sight, does it still exist?? Ah high school. I will take this your pretzel over Wetzel’s ANY DAY just look at that cheese. YUM.
Shannyn Howe -
Any way I can sub the milk with a vegan option? My husband, son and I are all allergic
Sarah Menanix -
While I haven’t tried it in the pretzels, I have tried substituting the milk for water in my pizza crust, which is a similar recipe base (not posted yet:) and it works! The milk just helps activate the yeast to make them a bit fluffier. If you try it, please let me know how it turns out!
Amy C -
I used water instead of milk and they were delicious!
Briana -
Can I sub flower with Bob all purpose gluten free or his 1:1 flour?
Sarah Menanix -
I haven’t tried it, but I think the 1 to 1 or else their pizza blend might work! If you try it, please let me know how it works for you!
Jenny -
Any substitute for the tapioca starch? I cant tolerate it.
Sarah Menanix -
Unfortunately, I have not tested the recipe without the tapioca starch, so I can’t say. Perhaps you could try subbing it for arrowroot starch, though I honestly don’t know how it’d work! Sorry!
Amy -
I subbed arrowroot and it worked great!
Debbie Velarde -
Do you think I could sub the corn starch for arrowroot starch?
Sarah Menanix -
Hm – I’m not that experienced with arrowroot starch so I’m not sure, but possibly?
AJ -
I used arrowroot starch and it seemed to work out well.
Azurell -
I made this last night and they turned out pretty good, but they were so sticky coming out of the mixer that the idea of being able to make it a ball was laughable. If it’s too wet, what’s the best dry ingredient to add a tad more of in order to make it more pliable? I ended up kneeding in extra tapioca starch at the end to get them workable enough to make into the shape but don’t know.
Sarah Menanix -
Interesting! If you click through a few frames on my Instagram Stories Cooking/Baking highlight, you can see me make the pretzels again behind the scenes and I demonstrate how sticky it is in the video. Did yours look stickier than this? You really do need to coat your hands in tapioca starch to form it into a ball or it will be much too sticky. I wonder if different brands of flours could be the culprit. For example, there’s a different brand of tapioca flour I’ve had to purchase in a pinch that I discovered made subpar results in baking recipes because it wasn’t as finely ground as Bob’s Red Mill. Were you able to use all Bob’s Red Mill flours? That being said, tapioca flour is the one I’d recommend adding more of if you need it.
Adia -
I made these and used rice flour instead of oat, and they came out as amazing dough, not sticky, easy to work with, it was a win win and the pretezles still turned out soft and amazing.
Lauren -
Hi Sarah, any substitute options for the sorghum flour? We have everything else (and currently social distancing). Other flours we have are chickpea, white rice, brown rice, almond, and 1 to 1. Thanks!
Sarah Menanix -
I would use the 1 to 1 in its place!
Julie -
Hi Sarah!
My daughter and I would like to try making these while we’re stuck at home, but we can’t do dairy.
I see that some people are using water as a substitute, but will other milk alternatives like rice or oat “milk” work?
Sarah Menanix -
I haven’t tried using rice or oat milk, but I would recommend using water! My pizza crust (which I haven’t posted yet) is a similar dough and I have tried it with water – it’s just slightly less fluffy. The proteins in the milk help trap the air bubbles from the yeast, but there are other things in the recipe that also aid in that (apple cider vinegar), so water should work too!
Katie -
Hi Sarah! If I am using a 1 for 1 GF flour (with Xanthan gum), do I still need to include the Xanthan gum listed in the recipe?
Sarah Menanix -
If your flour has xanthan gum, you won’t need to add more! (Keep in mind all GF 1 to 1 flours behave differently in different recipes so your results may vary a bit depending on the GF blend you’re using)
Amanda -
Hi! I absolutely love your site – I’ve made your matcha cupcakes before, and they’re to die for. It’s very hard to find great gluten free recipes, so thank you! I typically exclusively buy a gluten free cup for cup flour – sometimes Bobs mill, sometimes Cup 4 Cup. In your recipes, should I replace the flours by weight or by total measurement with my cup for cup gluten free flour?
Sarah Menanix -
Thank you! I would recommend adding up the weight all the flours in my recipe and replace it by weight with an all-purpose gf flour. And if your blend does not contain xanthan gum, be sure to add that. Otherwise, you can leave out the xanthan gum!
Mia -
Hello Sarah, recipe looks super good!
have you tried to replace xanthan gum with psyllium husk powder? I would rather prefer that but I don’t have experience with it.. :)
Thanks
Sarah Menanix -
I haven’t and I think you’d have to adjust the liquid quite a bit because psyllium husk powder it more absorbent. I have tried my pizza crust (not posted yet) with 2.5 tablespoons ground chia seeds (ground in a coffee grinder) though which I think would work for this recipe!
Anne -
I know this is a silly question, but has anyone successfully subbed oat flour for anything in this recipe or others? I have celiacs, and have a cross reactive issue with oats, so even certified gf oats don’t work for me.
I’m staying with my parents at the moment, and my Dad is a year in to gf eating after a celiac diagnosis (after six years of my nagging him because we had the same symptoms and I wanted him to stop eating gluten back when I did!) and he adores this style of soft pretzel.
Adia -
I made these and used rice flour instead of oat, and they came out as amazing dough, not sticky, easy to work with, it was a win win and the pretezles still turned out soft and amazing.
Kristen Viera -
Hello! I am so excited to make these pretzels. Do you think it would be alright if I made the dough the night before, cover it, and put it in the fridge so that the next day I can shape and bake them?
Sarah Menanix -
I’ve not tried that, so I’m not sure! I think you probably could, but then you’d need to bring them to room temperature to finish the rise before you shaped them, but since I’ve not tried it I can’t say for certain! Sorry!
Anastasia -
Can I double this recipe? Will it still rise enough or be too heavy?
Sarah Menanix -
I’ve not tried doubling the recipe, but what I would do just to be safe is before you set it to rise, split it into two balls of dough in two bowls. (It might work as one big ball, but my guess is that it would require a longer rise time and I’ve just never tried it so I would hate for you to not have success!)
Nick -
Hi Sarah! I want to make this recipe for a friend, but I don’t have a stand mixer and I have zero GF bread experience. I’ve made plenty of bread with standard flour, but I’m wondering how I know if I’ve kneeded the dough enough/too much. Is there anything in particular I should be looking for in terms of texture or feel with gf dough that’s different from a non gluten free dough?
Thanks!
Sarah Menanix -
For gluten-free dough, you don’t need to knead to develop gluten, only to make sure that it’s also evenly combined, so as long as it’s super smooth and evenly combined, you’ll be good! The one thing you should know about kneading with your hands is that it will be super sticky, so start with a wooden spoon first and then dust your hands in tapioca starch before digging in. I have a story highlight on my Instagram that shows the dough at each stage, so I recommend checking that out too! Good luck!
Zalie Mann -
Hey! I love your recipe so far. My dad and brother are gluten free, so we try to alter all of our baked goods for their sakes. We are stuck at home and we don’t have any yeast. I found a substitute online that was equal parts baking soda and lemon juice. I don’t want to mess up these delicious pretzels, do you think this substitute would work?
Sarah Menanix -
Hmm – that’s a good question! I’m sorry to say that Ive never tried substituting yeast, so I don’t have any experience to answer this! Do you have time? I wonder if subbing in a gf sourdough starter would work (it takes about 7 days to build it up strong enough to bake with and you could then sub out some of the milk/flour for some starter). If you do have time, shoot me an e-mail and I’ll send you my instructions on making a gf sourdough starter (you just need water + brown rice flour or brown rice flour + sorghum flour).
Zalie Mann -
Thanks! I didn’t see your reply yesterday, so I just went with it. They didn’t rise, so the texture was a little off, but otherwise they were pretty good! My brother liked them a lot. I know we all love sourdough bread, so knowing how to make a sourdough starter would be great! Is this the email I should use: sarah@snixykitchen.com?