Hard Cider Pretzels with Creamy Honey Mustard are a perfect autumn-inspired treat. These soft, chewy pretzels are made with hard cider in the dough, giving them a slight warmth and fruity flavor. Paired with a creamy, spicy honey mustard dipping sauce, these pretzels are ideal for game day, parties, or as a fun appetizer. They’re easy to make and packed with delicious fall flavors.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Pretzels:

• 1/3 cup warm water

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

• 12 oz hard cider (1 bottle)

• 1/2 cup 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

For the 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 to taste

Directions

1. Prepare the Dough:

   • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine warm water, honey, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until bubbly.

   • Add cider, melted butter, flour, and salt. Mix on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes until smooth and the dough pulls away from the sides. If needed, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.

2. Let the Dough Rise:

   • Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours until it doubles in size.

3. Shape the Pretzels:

   • Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

   • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the baking soda.

   • Remove the dough from the bowl, divide it into 8 balls, and roll each ball into a long rope. Twist into pretzel shapes.

4. Boil the Pretzels:

   • Boil the pretzels for 30 seconds each, 1-2 at a time, using a slotted spoon. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

   • Brush with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt.

5. Bake:

   • Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.

6. Make the Honey Mustard:

   • While the pretzels bake, whisk together all honey mustard ingredients in a bowl until smooth.

7. Serve:

   • Serve the pretzels warm with the creamy honey mustard dipping sauce.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 444 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 60g

• Protein: 8g

• Fat: 21g

  • Saturated Fat: 12g

• Cholesterol: 10mg

• Sodium: 341mg

• Potassium: 526mg

• Fiber: 8g

• Sugar: 35g

• Vitamin A: 122 IU

• Calcium: 117mg

• Iron: 5mg

The Dough: A Fruity Twist with Hard Cider

The dough for these pretzels is made with hard cider, which provides a subtle fruity flavor and adds a touch of warmth to the overall taste. The process begins by activating the yeast with warm water and honey, which gives the dough a bit of sweetness right from the start. Once the yeast is bubbly, hard cider and melted butter are added, creating a dough that’s rich, soft, and flavorful.

The dough is then mixed with flour and kosher salt until it forms a smooth texture that pulls away from the sides of the bowl. The dough is kneaded until it’s perfectly soft and elastic, ensuring that the pretzels will have the perfect texture once baked. After mixing, the dough is allowed to rise for 1-2 hours, during which it doubles in size and becomes light and airy.

Shaping the Pretzels: Classic Twist and Boil

Once the dough has risen, it’s time to shape the pretzels. The dough is divided into 8 balls, and each ball is rolled into a long rope. The ropes are then twisted into the traditional pretzel shape, with the ends meeting in the middle to form a classic twist. The shape is an important part of the pretzel’s appeal, creating a beautiful contrast between the golden brown exterior and the soft, fluffy interior.

Next, the pretzels are boiled in a mixture of water and baking soda for 30 seconds each. Boiling the pretzels is a key step that gives them their signature chewy texture and helps to develop the golden-brown crust during baking. After boiling, the pretzels are placed on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ready for the oven.

Baking the Pretzels: Golden Brown and Perfectly Crisp

The pretzels are baked at 425°F (220°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside. The result is a batch of pretzels with a perfect balance of crispy texture on the outside and a soft, fluffy interior. To give them an extra shine and crispiness, they are brushed with a beaten egg and sprinkled with coarse pretzel salt just before baking.

Once baked, the pretzels are ready to be served warm, perfect for dipping into the creamy honey mustard sauce.

The Creamy Honey Mustard: Tangy, Spicy, and Sweet

The creamy honey mustard sauce is a perfect complement to the soft, warm pretzels. It’s made by whisking together Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil-based mayo, apple cider vinegar, and a blend of spices, including chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. These ingredients create a smooth, tangy sauce with a hint of sweetness from the honey and a subtle heat from the spices.

The creamy texture of the mayo and the tanginess of the mustard make for a sauce that’s rich and flavorful, while the spices add an extra layer of depth. The result is a dipping sauce that enhances the pretzels and brings a little extra warmth and spice to each bite.

Serving Suggestions: The Perfect Snack or Appetizer

Hard Cider Pretzels with Creamy Honey Mustard are perfect for sharing, whether at a casual dinner, party, or game day gathering. Serve them warm with a bowl of the creamy honey mustard sauce for dipping. The combination of chewy pretzels and the tangy, spicy mustard makes for an irresistible treat.

For a more indulgent option, you can serve these pretzels alongside other autumn-inspired appetizers, such as roasted vegetables, spiced nuts, or a cheese platter. The pretzels also pair beautifully with a cold beer or a glass of hard cider, making them an ideal snack for casual gatherings.

Nutritional Information: A Balanced Indulgence

Each serving of Hard Cider Pretzels with Creamy Honey Mustard contains approximately 444 calories, making them a filling and satisfying treat. The pretzels are rich in carbohydrates (60g), with 35g of sugar, mainly from the honey used in both the dough and the dipping sauce. The 21g of fat, including 12g of saturated fat, comes from the butter in the dough and the mayonnaise in the mustard sauce, adding richness and flavor.

Despite being indulgent, the pretzels offer 8g of fiber, helping to balance out the sugar and providing a bit of nutritional value. The 8g of protein, primarily from the flour and butter, ensures that these pretzels are a hearty snack.

In addition, they provide small amounts of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A (122 IU), calcium (117mg), and iron (5mg), making them a flavorful and reasonably balanced treat.

Conclusion: A Delicious Fall-Inspired Snack

Hard Cider Pretzels with Creamy Honey Mustard are a delicious and fun fall-inspired treat that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of soft, chewy pretzels with the fruity warmth of hard cider and the tangy, spicy honey mustard sauce creates a flavor profile that’s irresistible. Whether served as an appetizer, snack, or party food, these pretzels will become a favorite for any autumn gathering.

The ease of preparation, along with the rich and flavorful results, makes this recipe an ideal choice for impressing your guests or simply enjoying a satisfying treat yourself. With just the right balance of flavors and textures, Hard Cider Pretzels with Creamy Honey Mustard are sure to be a hit every time!