Pretzel Dogs wrap 15 sausage franks in strips of refrigerated pizza dough, briefly boil them in a baking-soda bath, and bake them under egg wash and kosher salt. The bath creates the characteristic pretzel color and flavor while the hot dog remains juicy inside the golden spiral.
The recipe yields exactly 15 pretzel dogs in 35 minutes: 15 minutes preparation and 20 minutes cooking. Each wrapped frank boils for only 20–30 seconds before baking at 425°F for 20–21 minutes.
Pretzel Dogs Ingredients
For the main components, use exactly 15 sausage franks or hot dogs and one 13.8-ounce tube refrigerated pizza dough.
The pretzel bath needs 5 cups water and ¼ cup baking soda. Finish the wrapped dogs with 1 large beaten egg and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. No other ingredient is required for the base recipe.
If you enjoy this recipe, you may also like Fried Mac Cheese Balls.
How to Make Pretzel Dogs
- Heat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment.
- Roll the 13.8-ounce dough into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick. Cut exactly 15 even strips and roll each into a rope.
- Wrap one rope tightly around each of the 15 franks, covering the length and pinching the ends closed.
- Bring 5 cups water to a light boil and dissolve ¼ cup baking soda.
- Boil the wrapped dogs in batches of 3–4 for 20–30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon to the parchment-lined sheet.
- Brush with the beaten egg, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and bake at 425°F for 20–21 minutes.
- Rest 2–3 minutes and serve warm.
For storage details after serving, the USDA leftovers and food safety guidance.
Preheat the Oven to 425°F
Roll One Tube of Pizza Dough
Cut Exactly Fifteen Strips
Shape Each Strip Into a Rope
Wrap and Seal All Fifteen Franks
Prepare Five Cups Baking-Soda Water
Why the Pretzel Bath Matters
Boil in Batches of Three or Four
Lift With a Slotted Spoon
Brush With One Beaten Egg
Use One Teaspoon Kosher Salt
Bake for Twenty to Twenty-One Minutes
Rest Two to Three Minutes
Optional Air-Fryer Method
Avoid Common Pretzel-Dog Errors
Conclusion
Heat the oven to 425°F and line a sheet with parchment. Roll one 13.8-ounce pizza dough portion ¼ inch thick and cut 15 strips. Roll into ropes and wrap 15 franks, sealing the ends. Dissolve ¼ cup baking soda in 5 cups lightly boiling water. Boil in batches of 3–4 for 20–30 seconds, drain to the sheet, brush with 1 beaten egg, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and bake 20–21 minutes. Rest 2–3 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How many Pretzel Dogs does this recipe make?
It makes exactly 15 pretzel dogs from 15 franks and 15 dough strips.
- → How long should each wrapped dog boil?
Boil batches of 3–4 for only 20–30 seconds in the baking-soda water.
- → What temperature and time should I use in the oven?
Bake at 425°F for 20–21 minutes, until the dough is golden and cooked through.
- → Can Pretzel Dogs be cooked in an air fryer?
Yes. The original recipe notes an alternative of 375°F for 4–6 minutes, working in uncrowded batches.