Ultimate Guide to Sourdough Pretzels | OMG! Pretzels (2024)

Bread has long been a staple of the human diet, even before leavening was discovered, people baked flat breads that were essential to survival. Sourdough has roots in ancient Egypt where the understanding of fermentation can be found in records of beer and bread production. Sourdough being used in both cases.

How sourdough got its start

Around 800 BC, the Greeks learned how to use sourdough from the Egyptians. From there, sourdough spread across Europe as the years marched on. Sourdough appears in recipes throughout history, including 14th century Germany when monasteries began using sourdough to produce bread and beer and in 17th century France where sourdough was king before commercial yeast was introduced in the 1900s and the baguette became faster to produce and gained popularity.

Sourdough goes westward

Meanwhile, in America, the use of sourdough was crucial to westward expansion. Settlers in California and Alaska used sourdough as a primary source of food. They kept their sourdough starter in tins and slept with it to keep it warm, which prevented the natural yeast from dying. Thanks to sourdough, these Americans who shaped the history of our country, could eat even when they could not find a town to purchase supplies in.

San Francisco is home to the longest continuous sourdough bread bakeries in the U.S. One of the most famous - Boudin - was founded in 1849 and you can still enjoy a fresh sourdough loaf from there today. As in Europe, the speed associated with regular yeast commercialization of food production led to a decrease in the use of sourdough over time.

Back in the spotlight

Sourdough saw a resurgence of popularity in 2020 during the pandemic when many people began baking their own bread at home. The history of sourdough is certainly a long one and one that will, no doubt, continue to rise.

Ultimate Guide to Sourdough Pretzels | OMG! Pretzels (2024)

FAQs

Are sourdough pretzels better for you than regular pretzels? ›

Sourdough pretzels are a healthy snack because they include all the health benefits found in sourdough bread. Plus, they are baked, not fried, but still give you the crunch you crave from a satisfying snack. Sourdough pretzels also contain fewer calories and less fat and sugar than other snacks.

What to eat with sourdough pretzels? ›

Serve. Soft sourdough pretzels are perfect dipped in a warm, creamy beer cheese dip or honey mustard sauce.

What is the secret to sourdough? ›

The secret to sourdough is simple: water. The more water you add to your dough will affect how open the crumb (bigger holes and softer texture) will be once it's baked.

Are sourdough pretzels low carb? ›

Utz Sourdough Hard Pretzels (1 pretzel) contains 18g total carbs, 17g net carbs, 0g fat, 2g protein, and 90 calories.

What is the healthiest pretzel to eat? ›

1. Best: Fitjoy Pretzels. Fitjoy pretzels are an all-around great choice, as they have no added sugar, a mere 3g of fat, and even boast a gram of protein.

What is the unhealthiest snack? ›

  • Bad Snack 1: Chips. Potato chips might seem like a quick fix for your hunger, but they provide little nutritional value, Culbertson says. ...
  • Bad Snack 2: Crackers. “Crackers do not stave off hunger well,” Culbertson says. ...
  • Bad Snack 3: Granola or cereal bar. ...
  • Bad Snack 4: Pretzels. ...
  • Bad Snack 5: 100-calorie cookie snack packs.
Mar 15, 2024

What do Germans eat with pretzels? ›

Germandeli.com Pretzels are sold nationwide and It's available in a variety of forms, from soft and chewy to crispy and crunchy, and is often enjoyed with German mustard, Obatzda, and our newly in-house made beercheese made with Warsteiner beer, Pretzels have gained international recognition and is widely consumed in ...

How do you soften hard sourdough pretzels? ›

If they harden, you can put them in the microwave for about 30 seconds to make them soft and warm again. Freezer Storage: Once fully cooled, transfer the pretzels to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Are pretzels healthier than chips? ›

When you place the nutritional information of pretzels and potato chips side-by-side, you'll notice why pretzels are the healthier choice. Pretzels have less calories than potato chips and less saturated fat. As we all know, excessive calories and saturated fat can ruin a diet.

What not to do with sourdough? ›

Here are the big errors to avoid when working with sourdough.
  1. You Bake Too Soon. ...
  2. You Use Unfiltered Tap Water. ...
  3. You Use Water That Is Too Hot or Too Cold. ...
  4. You're Impatient. ...
  5. You Don't Autolyse Your Dough. ...
  6. You Don't Let Gluten Develop Properly. ...
  7. You Don't Let the Bread Proof Long Enough. ...
  8. You Don't Form the Bread Correctly.
Apr 1, 2022

Why is sourdough bread easier on your stomach? ›

Sourdough bread may be easier to digest than white bread for some people. According to some studies, sourdough bread acts as a prebiotic, which means that the fiber in the bread helps feed the “good” bacteria in your intestines. These bacteria are important for maintaining a stable, healthy digestive system.

What is the healthiest bread to eat? ›

Next time you're at the store, look for the following options to find a healthy bread you like.
  • Wholegrain bread. Wholegrain bread is minimally processed and made with flour from fully intact grains. ...
  • Multigrain bread. ...
  • Dark rye bread. ...
  • Authentic sourdough bread. ...
  • Flaxseed, or linseed, bread. ...
  • Ezekiel, or sprouted grain, bread.
Mar 19, 2024

What are sourdough pretzels made of? ›

Make the dough: Mix flour, sourdough starter, water, powdered milk, melted butter, brown sugar, yeast, and salt in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook until dough comes together. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if dough is dry.

Are sourdough pretzels whole grain? ›

Chewy and malty, with a touch of whole grain flour to boost the flavor, these sourdough pretzels make a delicious snack. The dough mixes up quickly, the shaping is fun, and boiling and baking take less time than you might think.

Are sourdough pretzels easy to digest? ›

Sourdough Pretzel FAQ:

Yes, most definitely. They are the perfect salty snack. Since the dough is fermented, the vitamins and minerals are more bio-available for your body to absorb, and there is less gluten making them easier to digest.

Are bread pretzels good for you? ›

Take a Pass on Pretzels

Although pretzels are low-fat, they are also pretty paltry on the protein and fiber front, and they can be quite high in sodium and carbs. What's more, they rank high on the glycemic index, meaning they can quickly spike blood sugar levels.

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