After making these Pretzel Slider Buns one time, you’ll wonder why you never made burger buns from scratch before. So simple and so tasty.
I’m going to confess to you, right here, right now. There are 2 things that totally freak me out in the kitchen. 1) Gravy; 2) Pretzels. Crazy right? Probably the 2 easiest things to make, yet thinking about making either of them gives me anxiety.
I needed a slider roll for a recipe that’s coming up tomorrow and thought that making them pretzel-y would be exactly what would kick that recipe up. Have you ever searched for pretzel slider rolls at the grocery store? Non-existent in my little town, so I combed the interwebs and landed on a recipe to make. Yes, I had to get over my fear of pretzel, well, not get over but rather just make it fast and hope I didn’t screw it up. Well, after today I am a changed girl and am now ready to make pretzel everything! Seriously, I am in love. This Pretzel Slider Bun recipe is so easy and so delicious. I can’t wait for summer grilling season and making this recipe for homemade sausage & burgers on the grill. See how easy they are for yourself.
How to Make Pretzel Slider Buns
Fill the sink with about 2 inches of warm tap water and set the mixer bowl in the water. Add 1 1/2 cups warm water, 1 packet of yeast and 2 teaspoons of sugar. Give it a quick stir and then cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let the yeast bloom for 5 to 10 minutes, until foamy and starting to swell.
Place the bowl on the mixer and attach the dough hook.
Add 4 1/2 cups bread flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 4 tablespoons of melted salted butter. Start on low and then increase the speed to medium.
The dough should be slightly sticky, but pulling cleanly away from the sides of the bowl.
Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large bowl and add the dough, turning to coat. Cover with a towel and place in a draft free warm place. (I like to preheat my oven for a couple of minutes, then turn it off and flip on the light)
After an hour, the dough should have doubled in size. Punch it down.
Take a ball about the size of a lime and stretch it gently, while tucking back under then pinch the bottom. Roll the dough around in your palm to semi-flatten and make smooth.
Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and repeat with the remaining dough. You should have 14 balls of dough. Cover with the towel and let them rest for 30 more minutes in a warm place.
Preheat the oven now to 425 degrees F. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1/4 cup baking soda slowly to the boiling water. If you dump it all in, you will have an overflowing pot, so go slow.
Add 4 buns and let them boil for 30 seconds per side. Remove to a parchment lined baking sheet and continue with the remaining buns.
Lightly beat 1 egg in a small bowl. Brush the tops and sides of each bun and sprinkle with grey sea salt. If your sea salt is in large granules (mine is) then use a mortar and pestle to make it finer.
Use a sharp knife and cut an X in the tops. Bake for 13-17 minutes, or until the buns sound hallow when thumped. Remove and cool completely before cutting.
Easy, right? Seriously, they were so easy and so good. I’m in love.
Pretzel Slider Buns
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm tap water
- 1 pkg active dry yeast
- 2 teaspoons white sugar
- 4 ½ cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 tablespoons salted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 quarts water
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons grey sea salt
Instructions
- Fill the sink with 3 inches warm tap water. Place the bowl of the mixer in the water and add 1 1/2 cups warm tap water, yeast and sugar. Stir to combine then cover with a clean kitchen towel. Allow to bloom for 5-10 minutes.
- Place the mixer bowl on the mixer with the dough hook attachment. Add the flour, salt and melted butter. Start the mixer on the lowest speed and increase to medium, until the dough no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl.
- Add the teaspoon of olive oil to a large bowl and add the dough, turning to coat. Cover with a towel and place in a warm draft-free area for 1 hour, or until doubled in size. Punch down the dough and cut into 14 equal pieces. Stretch each piece tucking it back into the bottom of the ball. Pinch it closed and roll in your palm to flatten and smooth. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining pieces. Allow to rest, covered, for 30 minutes in a warm draft-free place.
- Preheat oven to 425. Bring the 2 quarts of water to a boil. Slowly add the baking soda, then add 4 dough balls and allow to boil for 30 seconds per side. Remove to a parchment lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. Brush all boiled dough with egg wash, slash an X in each top with a sharp knife and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt. Bake 13-17 minutes, or until the buns sound hallow when thumped on the bottom. Cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Mention @farmgirlgourmet or tag #farmgirlgourmet!
Recipe By:
Heather is a recipe developer and content creator living in Vancouver, Washington. She started Farmgirl Gourmet in 2006, almost 20 years ago, as a way to share recipes with friends and family. Heather is also the co-founder of Spiceology , a unique spice company, which she started in 2013. She shares family friendly recipes for easy everyday meals with a gourmet twist.
Would all purpose flour be a no no?
I just stumbled across these on pinterest. I always get so excited when we’re out to eat and sliders/burgers are served on a pretzel bun. But at home, I always chicken out and buy pre-made buns for our meals. I am going to have to try these out next time, they look amazing!!
Anyone ever try making the dough in a bread maker?
I made mine in the bread machine on the dough setting. Followed the recipe exactly. For my first try at pretzels, the turned out well. I’ll try them again.
I don’t have a mixer with a dough hook attachment. Can you tell me how I might alter the recipe to accommodate this? Thanks!
Obsessed!!! I made this last weekend and have another round about to go into the water. I’ve always wanted to try pretzels and now I am no longer afraid. 🙂
Much love!
So glad you like them. They are my faves too!! I need to make them again very soon! Thanks for commenting.
When making gravy always remember to use a cold liquid if your roux is hot. If I’m using freshly made stock, I make my roux ahead of time & give it a chance to cool. This will ensure a nice smooth gravy. As soon as roux & your liquid start boiling, STIR, STIR, STIR! Wire wisk is good for that. When preparing a roux also remember that a little goes a long way. Too much roux & you’ll end up w/ enough gravy for the whole neighborhood. Unless thats what you want!! Thanks for pretzle roll recipe. Anxious to try it.
Would they freeze well? Thought about making them (a lot) for a party. Thank you.
I believe they would. Sorry for the delay – I was off camping with limited internet access. Let me know how it goes!!
Wow!! Just made a batch of these and they are fabulous!!! I have been intimidated by pretzels as well, but this was super easy! We go through tons of pretzel rolls in my house, now i can make them:) Thank you so much!!
I made these and they are awesome. But mine stuck really bad to the parchment paper.
I wonder why Pam? How long did you boil the buns for? 30 secs per side? I didn’t have any sticking issues at all. 🙁 Sorry about that.
These are the cutest buns, they look incredible!
I want to reach in and grab one!!
there are 2 left Katrina…want me to send you one? 🙂
I am right there with you. Making pretzels has intimidated me too! I see so many recipes on Pinterest and love soft, homemade pretzels but just haven’t jumped in and tried them. I Love your step by step directions. These looks so yummy.
Mercy! Those are some gorgeous buns! Well, gorgeous slider buns! I can’t believe you get freaked by gravy! Being a southern girl, gravy is my middle name.
LOL – from now on I shall call you Gravy. 🙂
These are calling my name and I can’t wait to see what you made with them.
I can’t wait to share. The post goes live tomorrow. 🙂
These are so beautiful! Seriously. I love how easy this is. I die for pretzel buns, they are so amazing!
Thank you Stefanie. There are 2 left and I am seriously considering hoarding them somewhere no one can find them. 🙂 Although, I did that with chocolate bars on 4th of July and then forgot where I put them….until about a week ago when I located them. Too funny.
Completely understand. I have been rather “freaked out” or just plain scared to try pretzels myself too. They sound like they would be so hard to make. But your descriptions and pictures, the way you broke down the steps, make it look easy.Thanks 🙂 Yes summer time will be here a few months and I can’t wait to use this on grilled everything! Actually, these would be perfect for the salsa I just made & slider burgers! 🙂 Kudos to another great recipe blog!
thanks for the sweet comment. I think some recipes just need a pictorial – others not so much. Bread always seems to freak people out, so seeing it step by step sure helps. I know it helps me. Thanks for commenting!! ~Heather
Pretzel buns are my weakness and ps I totally stink at making gravy!
That makes me feel better. We should start a Gravy Support Group Paula! 🙂 Thanks for popping in and commenting. We need to catch up soon! xo
I love pretzel bread and this recipe looks so easy! Can’t wait to give it a try!
Let me know how you like it Jessica.
I’ve always wanted to make these!! So pretty!
Do it Anna. So much easier than I expected. Now I want to make pretzels…maybe for Superbowl. 🙂
I am now craving a pretzel:).
they are calling my name from downstairs right now. I had them for lunch & dinner yesterday….so I’m a bit carbed out! 🙂 (I was recipe testing)
I adore pretzel buns!
I am now a huge fan too Erin. Who knew they were so great? Not this girl!
So glad your frack is no longer freaked. You have some amazing looking buns there, Heather 😉
lol Shelby, you cheeky monkey. 😉 Thanks for commenting.
I could think of 101 things to stuff in these tasty rolls!