Parmesan Pretzel Dogs. Perfect for a weekend baking extravaganza, and just about every other occasion because they are that freaking good!!
![Seven pretzel dogs and a small bowl of marinara sauce for dipping placed on a parchment paper lined board.](https://whatsgabycooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WGC-__-Parmesan-Pretzel-Dogs-2.jpg)
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
Homemade soft pretzel dough that is embellished with a bit of Parmesan and Italian Seasoning that then gets wrapped around a hot dog and baked until it's golden brown - AND THEN dunked in ketchup and or marinara sauce = it's quite possibly the best movie night meal ever invented and what's on the agenda this weekend considering I STILL haven't started stranger things! (side note, you can totally dunk yours in mustard if you want too... I'm just a total ketchup fanatic and believe that most things in life are better when covered with a homemade tomato-y goodness. Or could also get crazy and dip them in salsa. Just saying.)
![An overhead closeup shot of parmesan pretzel dogs.](https://whatsgabycooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WGC-__-Parmesan-Pretzel-Dogs-1.jpg)
Ever since I made those Italian Pretzel Knots, I've been hooked. I'm always dreaming up moments when I can use the pretzel dough recipe and make them into something fab - and pretzel dogs seemed like an excellent idea. I also want pretzel burgers, and pretzel bites, and pretzel pizza. But hey - gotta leave something for upcoming parties! Today is all about the Parmesan Pretzel Dogs!!
Ingredients & Substitutions
![Mise en place of all ingredients required to make parmesan pretzel dogs.](https://whatsgabycooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ParmesanPretzelDogs_Ingredient.jpg)
- Warm 110 to 115 degrees F water
- Sugar
- Kosher Salt
- Active Dry Yeast
- All purpose flour
- Unsalted Butter
- Italian Seasoning
- Parmesan Cheese grated
- Vegetable Oil
- Water
- Hot Dogs
- Baking soda
- Egg Yolk
- Pretzel Salt
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.
How to Make Parmesan Pretzel Dogs
![A stand mixer bowl with a mix of water, sugar and kosher salt and yeast sprinkled on top.](https://whatsgabycooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ParmesanPretzelDogs_1-1.jpg)
Step 1: Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam.
![A stand mixer bowl with flour, butter, Italian seasoning and parmesan added to the yeast and water mixture.](https://whatsgabycooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ParmesanPretzelDogs_2.jpg)
Step 2: Add the flour, butter, Italian seasoning and parmesan and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined.
![A stand mixer with pretzel dough kneaded and tangled in the dough hook attachment.](https://whatsgabycooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ParmesanPretzelDogs_3.jpg)
Step 3: Increase the speed to medium and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
![A greased large glass mixing bowl with the pretzel dough just kneaded and rolled into a ball.](https://whatsgabycooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ParmesanPretzelDogs_4.jpg)
Step 4: Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
![A large dutch oven with a mixture of water and baking soda, brought to a rolling boil, along with a parchment lined and greased baking sheet.](https://whatsgabycooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ParmesanPretzelDogs_5.jpg)
Step 5: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside. Meanwhile, bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan.
![A baking sheet lined with silicone mat with five pretzel dogs, rolled out dough roped around the length of the hot dog, secured with toothpicks on both ends.](https://whatsgabycooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ParmesanPretzelDogs_6.jpg)
Step 6: In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 10 equal pieces. Roll into ropes, and then roll the rope around an entire hot dog, making sure to secure the ends.
![A large dutch oven with a boiling water and baking soda mixture, with the shaped pretzel dog being boiled, one at a time.](https://whatsgabycooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ParmesanPretzelDogs_7.jpg)
Step 7: Place onto 2 sil-pat lined sheet pans. Place the pretzeldogs into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula.
![A parchment lined and greased baking sheet with boiled pretzel dogs brushed with a beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkled with pretzel salt.](https://whatsgabycooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ParmesanPretzelDogs_8.jpg)
Step 8: Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes.
![An overhead shot of a wire rack with four pretzel dogs with a dark golden brown color, baked and fresh from the oven.](https://whatsgabycooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ParmesanPretzelDogs_9.jpg)
Step 9: Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.
How to Store Parmesan Pretzel Dogs
You can store these in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 days. While not as great as fresh, you can warm them in the oven till warmed through when it is time to eat.
How to Freeze Parmesan Pretzel Dogs
You can freeze pretzel dogs in freezer bags for up to a month. Warm in the oven, making sure the hot dog reaches a safe temperature and the outside is crispy.
Tips & Tricks
Serve these with ketchup and mustard!
![Seven pretzel dogs and a small bowl of marinara sauce for dipping placed on a parchment paper lined board.](https://whatsgabycooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WGC-__-Parmesan-Pretzel-Dogs-3.jpg)
FAQs
Can I prep these ahead of time?
These are best eaten fresh, so you are looking to prep these ahead, I recommend following the recipe up to the step of boiling, and then refrigerating/freezing them. When you are ready to serve, put them in the oven and follow the recipe Step 8 onwards.
What other customizations can I try for these?
Yes! You can flavor these with everything seasoning or Gaby's everyday seasoning.
Similar Recipes
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today
![](https://whatsgabycooking.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/WGC-Parmesan-Pretzel-Dogs-3-copy1-500x500.jpg)
Parmesan Pretzel Dogs
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm 110 to 115 degrees F water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 package active dry yeast
- 22 ounces all-purpose flour approximately 4 ½ cups
- 2 ounces unsalted butter melted
- 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Vegetable oil for pan
- 10 cups water
- 10 hot dogs
- ⅔ cup baking soda
- 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- Pretzel salt
Instructions
- Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour, butter, Italian seasoning and parmesan and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Increase the speed to medium and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside. Meanwhile, bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan.
- In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 10 equal pieces. Roll into ropes, and then roll the rope around an entire hot dog, making sure to secure the ends.
- Place onto 2 sil-pat lined sheet pans.
- Place the pretzeldogs into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Return to the half sheet pan, brush the top of each pretzel with the beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes.
- Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe by What’s Gaby Cooking
I make these every so often for my niece and nephew and they love them (as do their parents!). Often I will make a few ahead and freeze them (unbaked) and then they can be baked off for a quick snack or dinner in no time! Such a fun idea! Thanks Gaby!
With this, could you make the dough the day before?
I have a Ninja mixer so no dough hook. Does that make a difference? I'm sure it does, but just wondering if I need to ask the neighbors to borrow a mixer. Thank you!
not familiar with the ninja but you could also do it by hand if you wanted to use some arm muscle!!
I’ve made these several times but just had to comment-these are so easy and delicious-we just love them! Dunked them in marinara sauce this time and loved even more! (We used cheddarwurst) thanks Gaby-your recipes are the bomb
Hi Gaby! Could these be made ahead and frozen? If so, what step would you prepare through before freezing? Thank you!
I would make them through entirely and then chill once bake and then freeze! Then just thaw and re-heat
Just made these during quarantine as my son loves hot dogs and soft pretzels, too. Did exactly as recipe indicates - excellent! A definite do-over. Once made, I cut them in half for serving - would make a great party dish, especially for teenagers! Thank you!
Could you make these with mini hot dogs??
sure!
My family loves these.
i was intimidated at first, but these were actually pretty easy. i used a breadmaker so could skip straight to rolling out the ropes. the house smells fabulous. i'd also recommend the italian seasoning mix from allrecipes.com -- so much tastier than the store-bought version