Description
Mini Pretzel Dogs are a delicious and fun appetizer featuring cocktail sausages wrapped in soft, chewy pretzel dough. Boiled briefly in baking soda water to achieve the classic pretzel texture, then baked to golden perfection. Perfect for parties, game day snacks, or a flavorful finger food.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
Boiling Solution
- 2/3 cup baking soda
For Assembly
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 14–16 cocktail sausages or mini hot dogs
- Coarse salt, for topping
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating that the yeast is active.
- Make Dough: Stir in the all-purpose flour and salt into the yeast mixture and mix until a dough forms. Transfer to a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Let Dough Rise: Place the kneaded dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Boiling Solution: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and carefully add the baking soda, stirring to dissolve. This alkaline bath will give the pretzel dough its characteristic flavor and chew.
- Shape Pretzel Dogs: Punch down the risen dough to release air. Divide it into 14 to 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope shape and then wrap it around a cocktail sausage, pinching the ends to seal the dough securely around the sausage.
- Boil Wrapped Sausages: In batches, boil the dough-wrapped sausages in the baking soda water for 20 to 30 seconds. This step firms up the dough and sets the pretzel crust.
- Prepare for Baking: Remove the boiled pretzel dogs with a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each one generously with the beaten egg wash, then sprinkle with coarse salt for classic pretzel flavor and texture.
- Bake: Bake the pretzel dogs in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until they turn a beautiful golden brown color.
- Serve: Serve the mini pretzel dogs warm with mustard or cheese sauce for dipping. Enjoy as a perfect party appetizer or snack.
Notes
- You can prepare these mini pretzel dogs ahead of time and reheat them in the oven before serving.
- For a richer, buttery finish, brush the pretzel dogs with melted butter immediately after baking.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the cocktail sausages with mini veggie sausages.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
