Sourdough Pretzel Buns

I adapted my Sourdough Soft Pretzel recipe to bring you these delicious sourdough pretzel buns! These pretzel buns will take your homemade burgers to the next level! The hands on time is minimal and since we use commercial yeast along with the starter, 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!

For all of my sourdough recipes, I measure the ingredients in grams. If you don't have a kitchen scale, I highly recommend getting one! They have tons of super affordable ones on Amazon* that work great!

Let's Make Sourdough Pretzel Buns

1. 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 tablespoon or two of milk.
2. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour; it will rise minimally.
3. When it's time to shape the buns, divide and shape into tight rounds. You want to make them a bit smaller than you think, because they will rise a little. I shape the buns the same way I shape a sourdough boule. Let the buns rest for about 10 minutes before boiling.
4. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add in 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Boil the pretzels 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 pretzels that signature look and texture.
5. 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.

6. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes. They should be golden brown on top!

If you make this recipe, please leave us a star rating at the bottom of the page! This provides helpful feedback to both me and other readers. Happy baking!

Sourdough Pretzel Buns

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★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

• Author: Kyleigh Sage
• Prep Time: 30 minutes + 1 hour resting time
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 6 buns 1x

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Ingredients

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• 227 grams (1 cup) sourdough starter discard
• 361 grams (3 cups) bread flour
• 170 grams (¾ cup) whole milk
• 1 tablespoon non-diastatic malt powder (optional)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons baking soda (for boiling)
• pretzel salt for topping

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Instructions

1. 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 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 tablespoon or two of milk. 
2. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour; it will rise minimally. 
3. 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 (10 for sliders) and shape into tight rounds. You want to make them a bit smaller than you think, because they will rise a little. I shape the buns the same way I shape a sourdough boule. Let the buns rest for about 10 minutes before boiling.
4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
5. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add in 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Boil the pretzels 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 pretzels buns that signature look and texture. 
6. Sprinkle the pretzels with coarse pretzel salt and bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes. The buns should be golden brown on top. 

• Category: Dinner
• Method: Boiling, Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bun
• Calories: 332
• Sugar: 3.8g
• Sodium: 402.3mg
• Fat: 4.1g
• Saturated Fat: 1.9g
• Carbohydrates: 62g
• Fiber: 2.3g
• Protein: 10.6g
• Cholesterol: 7.9mg

Keywords: pretzel buns, sourdough pretzels, burger buns, sourdough recipes, sourdough burger buns

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