Make Amazing Homemade Baked Soda Pretzels
Old-fashioned pretzels get their particular flavor and color fromlye , a super alkaline (base) substance that can be a little intimidating to use at home. Luckily, you don’t have to use a super caustic product to make the best quality pretzel, you just need to bake some baking soda.
According to Food52 , the sodium bicarbonate level can be evened out with just a little time in the oven:
By spreading baking soda on an aluminum-lined baking sheet and placing it in a 250 ° F oven for one hour, you turn a weak alkali into a stronger alkali – or, as Harold McGee put it in his 2010 New York Times . In the article describing this tip, you will get “a more muscular and versatile alkali” that is chemically and functionally closer to its clumsy cousin, lye (but without the harshness).
Although this more basic base is not as strong as lye, it makes the best homemade pretzel with a darker crust and slightly bitter taste. Simply take your favorite pretzel recipe and dip each toasted pretzel in a simmering mixture of 10 glasses of water and 2/3 cup baking soda for about 30 seconds. Brush the eggs and some salt with the mixture and bake as usual. If you have leftover baking soda, you can also use it to make delicious ramen , so there really is no downside.
Bake baking soda to energize it! | Food 52