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Hard Cider Pretzels with Creamy Honey Mustard, simply the best! Homemade soft pretzel dough made with autumn spiced cider and baked until golden. These pretzels are soft, chewy, and rich with autumn flavors. Serve each salty pretzel up with a creamy spicy honey mustard…such a classic and SO GOOD. Serve these up for game day or as a delicious appetizer for any party.
Are you ready to enter a new season? With Labor Day now behind us, I’m so excited to slowly begin to embrace the autumn season. I know it’s still summer for two more weeks, and I’m not breaking out the pumpkin just yet. But with the temps dropping, and our leaves turning, fall is creeping in!
For me, September is apple season, I save the pumpkin for October and November. But in September, I try my best to really embrace the fall apples.
So here we go with our first fall-like recipe of the year, Hard Cider Pretzels. Yes, these soft pretzels have a little cider mixed in, one of my favorite autumn ingredients.
The Idea
I stole this idea from myself kind. A few years back I shared these pumpkin beer pretzels with chipotle queso. They’re always one of my favorite appetizers to make come October.
When I was thinking about fall recipes, I couldn’t get my mind off of soft pretzels. I had a good handful of ideas in my head, but these just sounded so perfect. Simple, but so perfect.
Using cider in the dough adds a slight warmth to the pretzels with notes of warming spices and sweet apples. It’s faint, so you don’t know it’s there necessarily, but it makes the pretzels a little more special than all the rest.
Fun fact, I really love soft pretzels…
Over the years I’ve created a good amount of fun pretzel recipes.
My first pretzel recipe was these hot buttered rum cinnamon sugar stuffed soft pretzels. And then these sweet peanut butter cup soft pretzel ice cream sandwiches. Next were my Chocolate Chip Cookie Stuffed Soft Pretzels (legit, these are the BEST thing ever). Then came everyone’s favorite, Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Soft Pretzels. And then my favorite, pumpkin beer pretzels with queso.
Yeah, we love soft pretzels. Pretty sure I get my love of buttery soft pretzels from mom. She loves them too, but then are you surprised?
What’s not to love about salty, buttery carbs? They’re just too good!
Onto the details, start with the pretzels
Making soft pretzels is easy. First, you’ll need a nice, good quality, apple cider, both hard and regular will work. Then just some yeast, honey, flour, butter, and salt. Super simple ingredients. Simply knead everything together in a mixer and let the dough rise.
The pretzel dough is very easy to work with, so don’t let anything intimidate you!
When the dough is ready, just divide it into 8 equal balls, roll them out into long ropes, and twist each into a pretzel. Use the photos for guidance, but I promise this is easy!
And remember, they don’t need to be perfect.
Boil and bake the pretzels
Once the pretzels are shaped, boil them in water mixed with baking soda. The baking soda in the water helps the pretzels achieve that soft, chewy texture we all love so much!
When you have all the pretzels boiled, brush them with a beaten egg, then sprinkle with salt. I love using this pretzel salt, it’s so good.
While the pretzels bake, make the honey mustard
I love to make a creamy spicy honey mustard with high-quality olive oil, mayo, honey, and Dijon, plus chili powder and cayenne for a nice kick.
This is so quick to mix up, which is great for easy fall entertaining!
When the pretzels are done baking, you have to serve these up warm. When they’re warm, they’re perfectly soft, doughy, buttery, and have the slightest notes of warming autumn flakes.
Then just add the spicy, creamy honey mustard for dipping – perfection!
Looking forward to making these all month long. Great for Sunday game nights, and dinner parties to come. These are the perfect laid-back appetizer. And let’s be real, everyone loves a warm pretzel with honey mustard for dipping.
So good.
Looking for other fun fall appetizers? Here are a few ideas:
Pumpkin Beer Pretzels with Chipotle Queso
Pastry Wrapped Baked Brie with Maple Butter Roasted Apples
Caramelized Onion, Spinach, and Cheddar Flaky Pastries
Everything Ranch Cheese and Pretzel Snack Mix
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Strombolis
Lastly, if you make these Hard Cider Pretzels with Creamy Honey Mustard, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Hard Cider Pretzels with Creamy Honey Mustard
Servings: 8 pretzels
Calories Per Serving: 444 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
Pretzels
- 1/3 cup warm water
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 bottle (12 ounce) hard cider
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1 egg, beaten
- coarse pretzel salt or sea salt
Creamy Honey Mustard
- 1/4 cup dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/3 cup olive oil based mayo
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions
- 1. Combine the water, honey, and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. Let sit for 5 minutes, until bubbly on top.2. Add the cider, butter, flour, and salt. Mix on medium speed until the dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl, about 3 to 4 minutes. If the dough is too wet, add additional flour, 1 tablespoon at a time. Cover the bowl and place in a warm spot until the dough doubles in size, about 1-2 hours.3. Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. 4. Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a floured surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal balls. Roll each ball into a long rope. To shape into pretzels, take the right side and cross over to the left. Cross right to left again and flip up. 5. Add the baking soda to the boiling water. Boil the pretzels, 1-2 at a time, for 30 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon. Place the pretzel on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush the pretzels with the egg and sprinkle liberally with salt. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until pretzels are golden brown.6. Meanwhile, make the honey mustard. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth and creamy. 7. Serve the pretzels warm, with lots of honey mustard for dipping.
This post was originally published on September 7, 2021
First time trying pretzels and they were pretty good. I had a hard time getting the moisture out of the pretzel after boiling it. (They were big and broke easily when trying to get them out of the water with a slotted spatula.) So some of the edges ended up soggy coming out of the oven. I would definitely try making them again.
Hey Rachel,
Awesome! So good to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a try! xx
I’m so excited to make these. They look incredible. Thank you for sharing!
Question: what type of hard cider did you use? Just a simple hard apple cider?
Thanks again!
Courtney
Hey Courtney,
Yes, whatever you favorite hard apple cider is works here. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
They look great. What can I use in place of cider? Water? Thank you
Hey Suzanne,
For this recipe you could use hard cider, regular cider, or beer. I hope you give the recipe a try, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I can’t wait to try this! I want to use my sourdough starter in place of the yeast; would that work?? If so, do you know how much (how many grams) I should use??
Hey Amanda,
I’m sure that would work well for you, since I haven’t tested it I am unsure on how much to use. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try! xTieghan
I’m dairy free – could I use margarine instead of butter??
Hey Jessica,
That should work just fine for you. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
These look fabulous! I don’t have a stand mixer and wondering if can I make it work with a hand mixer?
Thanks!
Hey Lisa,
I would just mix with a wooden spoon and knead by hand. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Can the dough be prepared the night before, refrigerated during the night , then boiled and baked the next day ?
Hey Acro,
Yes, that will work well for you. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Hello,
Can I use non-alcoholic beer to make these? They look delish!
Hey Stephanie,
You bet! I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
These look amazing! Is there a non alcoholic substitute? Would non alcoholic beer work?
Hey there,
Sure, non-alcoholic beer would also work well here. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Made these today with a peach cider! Delish!
Hey Jillian,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a lot for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best day:) xTieghan
Can I make these pretzel’s gluten free? What adjustments are needed?
Hey Mary Ellen,
Just use an equal amount of GF flour. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
What is your recommendation to keep them fresh for kids to take for school? How long do they last after preparation?
As always, your recipes are absolutely amazing and spot on one of my families favorite food website to rely on for delicious food.
Hey Christie,
I would just keep them in an airtight container. I hope the recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
What flavor cider do I use
Hey Elaine,
For this recipe I used apple cider. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These look delicious but I’m gluten free. Do you thing these will work well with a gluten free flour like the King Arthur brand?
Hey Heather,
Yes, an equal amount of GF flour will work well for you here. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Can these be made ahead of time?
Hey Nicole,
If you wanted to do everything up until the baking point that would work well, but I prefer to serve these warm from the oven. I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
Question – ok to use fresh, sweet, cider instead of the hard? Is the alcoholic edge necessary for the pretzel?
The long form of the recipe says regular cider is fine 🙂
Hey Jennifer,
That is totally fine to do, the alcohol is not necessary:) I hope this recipe turns out amazing for you, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
They look great, can we skip the alcohol completely without replacing it?
Hey Maria,
You will want to use regular cider in place of the hard cider. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan