Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

4.8 from 5 votes
A red circle with the letters GF

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There aren’t many snacks that taste and smell as delightful as Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels. I’m sure just saying the words evokes mouthwatering memories. And now you can make them right at home!

A stack of gluten free cinnamon sugar pretzels with one leaning against it.

Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels – They’re Gluten Free!

Years back I spent a summer working at a kids’ clothing store at the mall. Just a few doors down was, you guessed it, Auntie Anne’s. With the buttery aromas wafting in, I spent my entire shift daydreaming about cinnamon sugar soft pretzels.

If you find them abslutely alluring too, but can’t have them anymore because you are gluten free like me, I have come to your rescue. Just start with my go-to homemade pretzel recipe. Slather it with melted butter. Then make sure cinnamon sugar coats every little crevice in the pretzel twists.

These are truly a dream come true!

Closeup of gluten free cinnamon sugar pretzels piled on a plate.

Ingredients

It’s amazing that these simple ingredients come together into such a heavenly treat. Here is some information about the ingredients and details about preparing the soft pretzels. But scroll down to the recipe card for the quantities.

For the pretzels:

  • Gluten-free all-purpose flour. A 1:1 blend works best in this recipe, like Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Blend. Make sure you have extra for dusting the work surface,
  • Instant yeast. Make sure it is Instant, not regular active dry yeast. And check that it isn’t expired. I like SAF Yeast.
  • Salt.
  • Baking powder.
  • Xanthan gum. Even though the 1:1 blend already has it, you’ll want to add more for the structure you need for the dough.
  • Water
  • Honey. Brown sugar also works for activating the yeast.
  • Eggs. Make sure they are at room temperature
  • Unsalted butter. You’ll want it softened.
  • Milk.

For the cinnamon sugar coating:

  • Granulated sugar.
  • Cinnamon.
  • Unsalted butter. Melt it to coat the pretzels.
Ingredients to make gluten free cinnamon sugar pretzels on a countertop.

How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

I’ll tell you all you need to know right here, but if you really want all the details (or prefer a salty, savory version) check out my post on how to make gluten free soft pretzels.

Make the dough. In the bowl of a stand mixer, use your paddle attachment to mix together the flour, yeast, salt and baking powder, then sprinkle in the xanthan gum while it’s mixing. Warm the water and honey in the microwave so the honey dissolves, then mix in the egg, butter, and milk. Add the liquids to the mixing bowl and blend the dough together, adding more milk if it looks too dry.

Let it rise. Place the dough in a large bowl that is coated with oil. Set it somewhere warm to rise until doubled in size.

Get ready for baking. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Shape and bake the pretzels: While the oven preheats, divide the dough and roll the pieces into equal sized ropes (aim for about half an inch thick). Twist the ropes into pretzels and then place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until soft in the center and golden brown on top.

A bowl of pretzel dough, some dough rolled into a rope, and some formed into a pretzel shape.

Coat with cinnamon sugar. While they are baking, combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl or dish and stir together. Brush the warm pretzels with melted butter and dip in the cinnamon sugar mixture or sprinkle it over the top to coat them thoroughly. Enjoy warm!

Six cinnamon sugar-coated pretzels on a cooling rack.

Dipping Sauce Ideas

The best way to make your cinnamon sugar soft pretzel even better is to dip it into something sweet and delicious.

A plate of cinnamon sugar pretzels on a wooden tray with a bowl of cinnamon sugar.

Tips for Success

  • If Your Dough Is Sticky: If you find that the dough is sticky while handling, place it in the fridge or freezer to chill for a bit. Another trick is to coat your hands with a little bit of oil (like canola oil) to make it easier to roll out the dough.
  • Spread them Out: These fluffy soft pretzels will expand while baking. Make sure your baking pan is large enough and give them some room to spread out.
  • Make them into Pretzel Nuggets. Follow the directions to make Gluten Free Pretzel Bites, but skip the salt and use the butter and cinnamon sugar after they are baked.
  • Replace Cinnamon with Pumpkin Spice. It’ll add everyone’s favorite fall flavor to these homemade pretzels.
Looking down at cinnamon sugar soft pretzels stacked on top of each other.

Can I Make These in Advance?

Yes, you have lots of options for making them ahead of time:

  • Homemade pretzel dough will keep for about a week in the refrigerator either before or after you shape the pretzels. Just keep them covered until you’re ready to bake.
  • To freeze the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store until you’re ready to bake it. Thaw the dough completely and then roll out the pretzels and bake as usual.
  • You can also store or even freeze the baked pretzels, then reheat them when you are ready to enjoy them.

Storage and Reheating

  • On the counter. Store leftover soft pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For the best flavor and texture, reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds.
  • In the freezer. Bake the pretzels, allow them to cool, and then store them wrapped or in an airtight container in the freezer before you add the butter and cinnamon-sugar. When you need some pretzels, just bake them straight from frozen for a few minutes at 400°F, then cover them with the buttery-sweet goodness.
Gluten free cinnamon sugar pretzels on a decorative white plate with a pink napkin.

More gluten free sweet snacks

Soft pretzels with cinnamon sugar lined up on a rectangular dish.
4.8 from 5 votes

Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

There aren't many snacks that taste and smell as delightful as Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels. I'm sure just saying the words evokes mouthwatering memories. And now you can make them right at home!
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Rising Time 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 6 pretzels

Ingredients

For the pretzels:

  • 1 3/4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour (recommended: Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Blend)
  • 1 tsp instant yeast
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp softened unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 tbsp milk, another 1 tbsp if needed

For the cinnamon sugar coating:

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast, salt and baking powder. Blend with a paddle attachment. With the mixer running, sprinkle in the xanthan gum. Turn the speed to medium-high for a few seconds to make sure the gum is very well combined.
  • Place the water in a glass measuring cup. Add the honey and microwave for 30-60 seconds, until warm. Add the eggs to the measuring cup and whisk with a fork to combine. Add the butter and milk.
  • Pour the liquid ingredients into the mixing bowl and blend for 3-4 minutes, until the dough comes together into a smooth ball. Add another 1-2 tablespoons of milk if the dough is dry.
  • Remove the dough from the bowl, grease the bowl with nonstick spray, then return the dough to the bowl. Cover with a dish towel and place somewhere warm to rise for 45 to 60 minutes, until doubled in size.
  • Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Roll the pieces into ropes about ½-inch thick. Shape the ropes into pretzels and place the shaped pretzels on a baking sheet.
  • Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until soft in the center and golden on top.
  • While they are baking, combine the cinnamon and sugar in a shallow bowl or plate and stir together. Brush the warm pretzels with melted butter and dip in the cinnamon-sugar to coat them thoroughly.

Notes

Store airtight at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Facts
Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels
Amount Per Serving (1 pretzel)
Calories 288 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 7g35%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 80mg27%
Sodium 421mg18%
Potassium 90mg3%
Carbohydrates 42g14%
Fiber 5g20%
Sugar 15g17%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 380IU8%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 67mg7%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimers: Please discuss your individual dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) with a physician. Even when not specified, be sure to verify all ingredients are gluten free, if needed, by reading labels on all packaging and/or confirming with the manufacturer this varies by brand and can change at any time. Nutrition information shown is an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.

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2 Comments
  1. Diana

    5 stars
    These turned out great, but I will replace the unsalted butter with salted butter to give them more flavor next time I make them. I make a gluttonous version that uses salted butter and I like the little bit of salt in the topping.

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