Soft Diet Recipes After Surgery don’t have to be boring or bland. These homemade soft pretzels are everything I craved after my own wisdom teeth removal—pillowy, warm, and with just enough salt to make your tastebuds dance without setting your mouth on fire. If you’ve ever found yourself staring down another bowl of applesauce, these are your carb-y salvation. When I first made these, I wasn’t just looking for something easy to chew. I wanted something that felt like a treat—comforting, nostalgic, maybe even a little indulgent. These pretzels tick all the boxes. My kids love them for After School Snacks, and yes, I’ve dipped a few in melted chocolate. No regrets. So whether you’re easing back into solid foods or you’re simply into Homemade Food Recipes that make your house smell like a bakery, this one’s for you. From My recipes to yours, let’s twist up something incredible. Bonus: they fit right in with Chicken Diet Recipes if you pair them with a soft, shredded chicken dip.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe
3) Ingredients for Homemade Soft Pretzels
4) How to Make Homemade Soft Pretzels
5) Tips for Making Homemade Soft Pretzels
6) Making Homemade Soft Pretzels Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Homemade Soft Pretzels
8) Try these snacks next!
9) Homemade Soft Pretzels
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Perfect soft pretzels for soft diet recipes after surgery
Ready in just 40 minutes from scratch
Ideal as a snack, party treat, or post-op comfort food
Only basic ingredients needed, no mixer required

2) Easy Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe

I remember standing in the kitchen, flour on my shirt, water steaming on the stove, and thinking, “How hard can pretzels be?” Turns out, not very. And once you taste a warm one fresh out of your oven, you’ll wonder why you ever bought them from the store.

This recipe falls right into my collection of soft diet recipes after surgery. It’s gentle, warm, and the kind of chewy that makes your jaw sigh with relief. I’ve made these during recovery weeks, snow days, and just plain hungry evenings. They check all the boxes: easy, comforting, and incredibly satisfying. We love them as quick after school snacks, and they’ve been known to disappear before they even cool.

If you’ve got flour, water, and a bit of patience, you’ve got pretzels. And if you’ve got a little extra time? Dip them in chocolate. Trust me, chocolate dipped pretzels from your own kitchen? That’s a story worth sharing.

3) Ingredients for Homemade Soft Pretzels

Warm Water You’ll need about one and a half cups, and it should feel like bath water—around 110°F. Not hot enough to burn your finger, just enough to wake up the yeast.

Active Dry Yeast One packet does the trick. You’ll sprinkle it over the warm water, and let it foam like a science experiment. That’s when you know it’s alive and ready.

Salt Just a teaspoon adds enough flavor to balance the dough without stealing the show. We’re not making salt bombs here.

Granulated Sugar One tablespoon sweetens things up a touch and helps the yeast work its magic. Sweet and functional? Yes, please.

All-Purpose Flour Four cups give the dough body and bounce. I always start with three and a half, then add more if things feel sticky.

Baking Soda This one doesn’t go in the dough. It’s for the bath. Trust me, don’t skip the baking soda bath. It’s the secret to that golden-brown, chewy crust.

Egg Beat it up and use it to brush the tops. It helps give that glossy bakery finish we all want.

Coarse Sea Salt Sprinkle this on top like you’re seasoning with love. It gives each bite that salty crunch that balances the warm, soft inside.

4) How to Make Homemade Soft Pretzels

Step 1 Heat your oven to 425°F. Get your baking sheets ready with parchment paper.

Step 2 Stir the warm water and yeast in a big bowl. Let it sit and bubble for a minute while you prep the next step.

Step 3 Add salt and sugar, give it a mix. Start stirring in the flour, one scoop at a time. When it looks shaggy, get your hands in there.

Step 4 Knead the dough for about three minutes. It’ll go from sticky to springy, and that’s how you know it’s ready.

Step 5 Cut it into twelve pieces. Roll each into ropes and twist them into classic pretzel shapes. This is where the kids love to jump in.

Step 6 Boil a pot of water with baking soda. Drop each pretzel in for twenty seconds, then scoop them out and place on the baking sheet.

Step 7 Brush the tops with the beaten egg, then sprinkle on coarse salt. Slide into the oven for twelve to fifteen minutes, until golden.

5) Tips for Making Homemade Soft Pretzels

Keep the dough soft but not sticky. If it clings to your fingers, dust in a little more flour. But don’t overdo it—soft dough makes soft pretzels.

The baking soda bath? Don’t skip it. That step sets the color and flavor. It’s the key to making homemade food recipes that actually feel homemade.

Want them glossy? Use that egg wash. Just don’t drown them. A thin layer gives the best finish. It’s like painting, not frosting.

6) Making Homemade Soft Pretzels Ahead of Time

We all have those days when we want homemade food but don’t want to start from scratch. You can shape these pretzels and stick them in the fridge overnight. Just cover them up so they don’t dry out.

The next day, take them out while the oven preheats. Give them their bath, brush with egg, salt, and bake. It’s like magic—fresh pretzels without the morning hustle.

They freeze well too. After baking, let them cool completely, then wrap and freeze. Later, warm them in the oven and enjoy like they’re fresh. Soft diet recipes after surgery don’t get much better than this.

7) Storing Leftover Homemade Soft Pretzels

Wrap any extras in foil or place in an airtight container. They’ll stay soft for a couple of days at room temp. If they last that long, that is.

To reheat, pop them in the oven at 300°F for five to seven minutes. Don’t microwave—unless you’re into rubbery bread. We’ve all been there, it’s not great.

Soft pretzels actually make good companions for chicken diet recipes too. Tear one in half and dip it into a warm chicken soup or shredded chicken salad. You’ll thank yourself.

8) Try these snacks next!

9) Homemade Soft Pretzels