What Is Pretzel Salt? - Uncle Henry's Pretzel Bakery (2024)

FAQs

What Is Pretzel Salt? - Uncle Henry's Pretzel Bakery? ›

Pretzel salt is a type of coarse long-grained salt. It is typically uniform in size with a flat, rectangular shape. These characteristics are what make them so good for pretzels as well as other types of baked goods.

An intensely white and clean salt that provides visual and textural appeal to soft pretzels, breadsticks and other topical applications as well as seasonings and rubs.

Pretzel Salt

It is a coarse-grained salt that adds a distinct flavor and texture to pretzels, making them savory and delicious. Pretzel salt is typically made up of larger salt crystals, which adhere well to the surface of the dough and provide a satisfying crunch when bitten into.

The answer lies in a brief dip in an alkaline water bath before baking. This bath essentially gelatinizes the outside of the pretzel, preventing it from fully “springing” during baking (as bread does) and giving pretzels their signature chewy crust. It also gives them their unique and indelible “pretzel” flavor.

Pretzel Salt is a coarse, large-grained salt that doesn't melt quickly. Because it's “sturdier” than typical coarse salt or even flaky sea salt, it's the perfect choice for finishing salt bagels, bread sticks, or pretzels. If it is not available in your grocery store, use the coarsest salt you can find.

Ideally, you would use pretzel salt when making pretzels. But this type of salt is not always easy to find in the store. That's why many people turn to kosher salt instead. And indeed, these two types of salt have a lot in common.

Unfortunately, salted pretzels are quite high in sodium. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting your sodium intake to 2,300 mg daily, but Americans consume 3,400 mg daily on average. Especially for people with high blood pressure, limiting sodium is beneficial for health.

Salt products do not have a shelf life in the traditional sense. Salt will not spoil or support pathogenic growth.

All those pretzels are made and twisted on the spot.

Auntie Anne's definitely doesn't serve pre-made pretzels! Every location receives shipments of the signature flour mixture, which is put in a mixer along with water and yeast. They're baked, brushed with real butter, salted and served right there.

Soft pretzels are large and have a chewy texture. They're usually served individually and are commonly sold at concession stands, restaurants, and bakeries. Meanwhile, hard pretzels are small and crunchy and can be eaten by the handful, depending on their shape.

What gives pretzels their pretzel flavor? ›

What Gives Pretzels Their Pretzel Flavor? You have baking soda to thank for that distinct pretzel flavor. Baking soda is highly alkaline and imparts that subtly metallic taste onto the dough before your pretzels go into the oven. Some recipes call for a lye bath, which does the same thing.

Auntie Anne Pretzels are somehow more delicious than your average pretzel. A healthy dose of sugar makes for a tasty dough, and a topping of melted butter and salt makes them positively addictive. Another reason the popular pretzels are so good is they are made and served fresh and warm.

As for salt on Pretzels … Pretzel Salts are specifically processed for this purpose… they are compact crystals that may look like Kosher Salt but they are not… the compact crystals dissolve quicker in your mouth than the larger single crystal Kosher Salt and therefore will have a different taste….

Pretzel salt's shape is flatter than regular salt

According to Uncle Henry's Bakery, pretzel salt isn't just used because it gives the dough flavor and texture, but also because its shape allows for even distribution.

A: Simple. Wet your fingers and moisten the surface of the pretzel. Sprinkle salt immediately and it will stick. I put mine in a 375 degree oven for 6 to 8 minutes.

Size: Kosher salt is large, and because it's industrially processed, it's more uniform in size. Sea salt crystals can be fine, flaky, chunky or coarse. Appearance: Kosher salt crystals are coarse and pebble-shaped, whereas sea salt is more delicate and crystals can take on a flaky or pyramid-like shape.

For classic pretzels, sprinkle with coarse salt. For a gourmet option, sprinkle with chopped fresh rosemary and a little bit of pink Himalayan salt. (Or use any variety of toppings you desire! Be creative and have fun with it!

Kosher salt is recommended for just about every form of cooking except for baking. Seasoning Meat & Vegetables — The large and flaky texture of kosher salt makes it a favorite in seasoning meat and vegetables before and during cooking. It is easier for the chef to pinch and apply the salt evenly on meat before cooking.