I adapted my Sourdough Soft Pretzel recipe to bring you these delicious sourdough pretzel buns! These sourdough pretzel buns are soft and fluffy, but still have that signature pretzel taste and chewy texture. The hands on time is minimal and since we use commercial yeast along with the sourdough starter and the dough only has to rise for an hour. So in about 2 hours, you can be ready to eat burgers! Don’t have a sourdough starter? Never fear! Just check out my Sourdough Guide for all my tips and tricks!
You might also like this sourdough naan or these sourdough bagels!
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Ingredient Notes
- Sourdough starter - I typically use leftover sourdough discard to make these buns because I always need to use up extra discard, but ripe sourdough starter works just as well! This recipe uses a little bit of yeast to help it rise, so the sourdough is just for that tangy, chewy flavor.
- Non-diastatic malt powder - You can leave this out if you can't get your hands on it, but I highly recommend it! Non-diastatic malt powder gives pretzels and bagels their distinct flavor and shiny crust.
- Pretzel salt - This is a MUST! Pretzel salt doesn't dissolve when it gets slightly wet or melt in the oven, so those big beautiful crystals are still intact after baking. A big container of pretzel salt will last you a long time so you can make sourdough pretzels and buns as much as you want!
The complete list of ingredients and amounts is located in the recipe card below.
Making the Dough
Using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, combine all dough ingredients and mix on a low speed until the dough comes together as a smooth cohesive mass (5-10 minutes but variable by machine). The dough should be slightly sticky. If it's too dry and won't come together, add an additional teaspoon or two of milk.
Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour; it will rise minimally.
Shaping the Pretzel Buns
After the dough has risen slightly, divide into 6 equal pieces (about 135 grams each) and shape into tight rounds. You want to make them a bit smaller than you think, because they will rise. Let the buns rest for about 10 minutes before boiling.
Boiling the Buns
Do not skip this step! It might seem unnecessary, but this is what gives the pretzel buns that signature look and texture.
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add in 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Boil the pretzel buns for 45 seconds on each side and then place on your lined baking sheet. You will only be able to boil about 3 at a time.
Place the boiled buns on a parchment lined baking sheet, using a bread lame or sharp knife score an X into the top and then sprinkle with pretzel salt.
Baking the Pretzel Buns
Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown on top!
The buns are best eaten the same day but will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container at room temperature.
Sourdough Tips & Tricks
If you've never baked with sourdough before, it can be a little tricky. But don't worry, I have a full Sourdough Guide all about making and maintaining a sourdough starter! I also have a full guide on different types of flour you can use to make sourdough. Below are a few quick tips and key terms you need to know.
- Sourdough Starter - A culture of wild yeast and bacteria that leavens and flavors sourdough bread. I use what's called a "liquid starter" versus a stiff starter. This means the starter is made with equal parts flour and water and should be a consistency similar to cake batter.
- Sourdough Discard - The portion of your starter that is discarded when feeding your starter (can be used in tons of recipes like sourdough discard blueberry muffins).
- Ripe Starter - A starter that's ready to be used in baking. Your starter is ripe roughly 6 hours after feeding and will have doubled in size, have lots of visible bubbles, and a fresh acidic aroma.
Weigh your ingredients! For all my sourdough recipes, I measure the ingredients in grams because it's much more accurate! I highly recommend getting a kitchen scale if you don't already have one! However, I have included alternate US customary measurements for your convenience.
Use an oven thermometer! Just because your oven says it's 350, doesn't mean it is! If you oven hasn't been calibrated recently, it can be as much as 30 degrees off, which will negatively affect all breads and baked goods! An oven thermometer is the easiest/cheapest way to ensure your oven is always at the proper temperature.
Easy sourdough recipes for beginners! If you've never made sourdough bread before, I recommend starting with some simple, no-fuss recipes like my sourdough naan or sourdough bagels! But if you're already a pro, I have a ton of fun sourdough recipes you can try!
Serving Suggestions
My favorite burgers to make with these pretzel buns are super simple smash burgers from Midwest Foodie! But they would also be delicious with my chipotle beer braised beef or even an impossible burger! The beauty of these buns is that they taste good with just about anything.
You also can't go wrong with a cold beer and some truffle fries!
More Sourdough Recipes You Might Like!
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Recipe Card
Sourdough Pretzel Buns
Ingredients
- 227 grams sourdough starter discard
- 361 grams bread flour, substitute all purpose flour
- 170 grams whole milk
- 1 tablespoon non-diastatic malt powder, optional
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons baking soda, for boiling
- pretzel salt, for topping
Instructions
- Using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, combine all dough ingredients (starter, flour, milk, malt powder, sugar, yeast, salt, and butter) and mix on a low speed until the dough comes together as a smooth ball (5-10 minutes but variable by machine). The dough should be just slightly sticky. If it's too dry and won't come together, add an additional teaspoon or two of milk until it does.
- Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour; it will rise minimally.
- Turn the dough out onto your work surface (you shouldn't need to flour your work surface) and fold 2-3 times to gently deflate it. Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces (about 135 grams each) and shape into tight rounds. You want to make them a bit smaller than you think, because they will rise a little. Let the buns rest for about 10 minutes before boiling.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add in 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Boil the pretzel buns for 45 seconds on each side and then place on your lined baking sheet. Do not skip this step! It might seem unnecessary, but this is what gives the pretzel buns that signature look and texture.
- Sprinkle the pretzel buns with coarse pretzel salt and bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes. The buns should be golden brown on top.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Anna says
Could I halve the recipe to just make 3? It’s just my husband and I so we won’t eat 6. Also, is discard unfed sourdough starter?
Sorry, I don’t know a lot about sour dough starter. I’ve been feeding a starter for months but have not used it for anything yet - I’m too nervous lol
Kyleigh Sage says
Yes, you can absolutely halve the recipe! And yes, the discard is the unfed starter you’d normally throw away when you feed your starter. But for this recipe, ripe starter works fine too! Since instant yeast is added too, it’s super flexible! The sourdough discard is really just for extra flavor (and to use it up)
Anna says
Thank you so much for responding! And so quickly!
Okay, thank you - this is great to know! Yes, that’s what I was thinking - it may be easier to start by using a recipe that also uses yeast! Kind of takes the pressure off haha
The Stay At Home Con says
Holy amazing! I had to make some subs since I was low on ingredients. I used coconut sugar, ghee, and oat milk, used pretzel salt from the bottom of a bag of pretzels hahaha, (I'm not vegan haha but if someone wanted to make these vegan they absolutely could). They were better than any pretzel bun I've ever gotten from literally anywhere. My husband was so shocked, he was like that's it you're making these all the time.
Fran says
Easy! Beautiful!
Stuck to the parchment?
Thought about placing rolls on rack for 1-2 minutes and then move to prepped backing sheet.
Your thoughts?
Bottom cut off, all good.
Kyleigh Sage says
Oh I’m sorry to hear that! Placing them on a rack to drain should help! You could also use a silicone mat or grease the parchment paper
Aditi Bahl says
Loved the recipe. Tried these this weekend for lunch. Love fresh homemade bread. The recipe was easy to follow so, the result was also great. Thanks for sharing.
Kate says
I live in the area of Germany where every baker makes these types or bread rolls and pretzels. And finally I find a recipe to make them myself (even in English). Many thanks for sharing this recipe.
Moop Brown says
The texture of this bun looks great and it's easy to tell that it adds a new level of flavor and tastiness to any burger!
Uma Srinivas says
Beautiful picture! I love the sourdough buns with a chewy texture. Thanks for this recipe, can't wait to make this for weekends.
Marisa F. Stewart says
Thank goodness I found this recipe -- and just in time. My sourdough has been resting and I've revived it. It's active now and I hated to just toss out the discard. Well, I decided to make these buns and they turned out perfectly. I froze the first batch and now I'm making some more to have on hand for Independence Day.
Nicole Washington says
Gorgeous photos! I bet that sourdough bun makes the burger even more delicious!
Leslie says
This recipe is the perfect way to impress guests at our next cookout! Pretzel buns are the best!
Tammy says
Your photos are so beautiful and bright! I want to reach right in and grab that burger! Sourdough pretzel buns sounds fantastic..I'm obsessed with sourdough lately...definitely going to be trying these 😀
veenaazmanov says
Homemade are the best. These look soft and tasty too. I am in for it.
Allyssa says
Thank you so much for sharing this super easy and tasty sourdough pretzel buns! Fam really loved and enjoyed having this! we'll make it again!
Jeri Walker says
These look absolutely amazing! Thanks for the recipe!
Andie says
So I just made these... and thank goodness I doubled the recipe because me and the hubby ate an entire batch before the burgers were even done! Absolutely amazing.
Kylie says
Next time I make smash burgers I am totally making these buns too! Pretzel buns are my weakness!! 🙂
Kaden says
Best burger buns I've ever made!!
Jeff says
So pillowy on the inside!
Yin says
Hi, do you add the non-diastatic malt to the dough or to the water with baking soda?
Kyleigh Sage says
I usually add it to the dough but I’ve also added it to the water! Both yield good results!
Marylin says
These were good
Mike says
I found this recipe on Google, and they taste awesome. However, I'll have to get some photography tips from you, because mine don't look nearly as nice!