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Colorful Crispy Rainbow Pretzels

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These colorful crispy rainbow pretzels are a fun, easy homemade snack with a perfect balance of crispy crust and tender inside, topped with a sweet, vibrant glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (360g)
  • 1 cup warm water (240 ml, about 110°F/43°C)
  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (one packet)
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar (25g)
  • 1 tsp salt (5g)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (28g), melted
  • ¼ cup baking soda (60g)
  • 8 cups water (1.9L) for boiling
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (120g)
  • 2–3 tbsp milk (30–45 ml), whole or dairy-free alternative
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract (2.5 ml)
  • Gel food coloring (red, yellow, blue, green, purple), a few drops each
  • Coarse sea salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water (110°F/43°C), sugar, and yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy and bubbly.
  2. Prepare the dough: Add melted butter and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually add flour, one cup at a time, stirring until a shaggy dough forms. Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Let the dough rise: Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  4. Divide and shape: Punch down dough and divide into 8 equal pieces (~100g/3.5 oz each). Roll each into a 20-inch rope and twist into pretzel shapes or spirals.
  5. Boil pretzels: Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Bring water and baking soda to a rolling boil. Drop each pretzel in boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove and drain.
  6. Bake: Place pretzels on lined baking sheet, optionally sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  7. Prepare glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Divide into bowls and add gel food coloring to create colors. Thin with milk if needed.
  8. Glaze pretzels: After pretzels cool 5-7 minutes on wire rack, dip or drizzle with colored glaze. Let set 20-30 minutes until glaze firms with a shiny, crispy finish.

Notes

Use warm water around 110°F to activate yeast properly. Boiling pretzels in baking soda water is essential for the signature crust. Adjust glaze thickness by adding powdered sugar or milk as needed. For vegan version, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine and use plant-based milk. For gluten-free, use a one-to-one gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum if needed. Avoid refrigeration to keep pretzels crispy; store in airtight container at room temperature or freeze unglazed pretzels.

Nutrition

Keywords: rainbow pretzels, colorful pretzels, crispy pretzels, homemade snack, easy pretzel recipe, sweet pretzels, kid-friendly snack

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