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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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
Dipping Sauce Ideas
The best way to make your cinnamon sugar soft pretzel even better is to dip it into something sweet and delicious.
- Chocolate Sauce: Since chocolate makes everything better, try my Easy Fudge Sauce.
- Cream Cheese Dip: This is the classic pairing, and you can either make a simple Cheesecake Dip (omit the candy canes in that recipe) or whip up a half batch of Cream Cheese Frosting, and blend in a little milk to thin it out.
- Caramel Sauce: Grab a jar at the store or make your own.
- Fruit Sauce: You can buy it, or try the easy syrup for these Blueberry Crepes.
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.
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.
More gluten free sweet snacks
- Air Fryer Donuts
- Gluten Free Banana Snack Cake
- Bakery-Style Gluten Free Blueberry Muffins
- Gluten Free Graham Crackers
Gluten Free Cinnamon Sugar 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
Did you make this?
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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.
You can never go wrong with sweet and salty! So glad you enjoyed them anyway and I appreciate the feedback!