Sourdough Hot Dog Pretzel Buns

Indulge in these Sourdough Hot Dog Pretzel Buns for Super Bowl weekend! These soft and fluffy wrapped hot dogs have the perfect balance of sweet and salty that is sure to be a hit at your next game day party.

If you’re looking for more game day snack recipes, check out some of my other favorites like Chili Lime Ahi Fish Tacos, Quick Homemade Flatbread Pizza Dough (No Yeast), or Garlic Ranch Pretzels With White Cheddar.

A Quick Look At The Recipe

• Recipe Name: Sourdough Hot Dog Pretzel Buns
• Ready In: 1 hour
• Makes: 6 hot dogs
• Main Ingredients: bread flour, sourdough discard, hot dogs
• Flavor Profile: salty pretzel buns cradle juicy hot dogs
• Dietary Info: no seed oils, eggless
• Difficulty: Medium
• Why You’ll Love It: sourdough pretzel buns wrapped around nostalgic hot dogs

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy Recipe: This recipe is quick and easy to make. You can make this Super Bowl recipe in the morning so they are fresh for the big game.
• Uses Sourdough Discard: I love this recipe for organic hot dogs as it uses up sourdough discard to create a fluffy, slightly sweet, and perfectly salted pretzel bun that’s baked right onto the hot dogs!
• Game Day Favorite: The slight sweetness from the pretzel dough balances bold, tangy, and smoky flavors, making this Super Bowl recipe a favorite for game day!
• No Seed Oils: While store bought organic hot dog buns can be challenging to find without seed  oils, these Hot Dog Pretzel Buns are baked right onto the hot dogs, negating the need for actual buns! Plus, these are made with organic ingredients and free of seeds oils.

This is another collab recipe with Hannah at Make It Dough. Each month we collaborate on a recipe using sourdough in some way to bring out double tested recipes! This month we're sharing a fun Super Bowl recipe that you can make using up sourdough discard! If you like pigs in a blanket and soft pretzels, you'll love this recipe!

Some of our other sourdough discard recipes include Sourdough Blueberry Crumb Bars, Sourdough Pretzel Buns, Sourdough Discard Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread, Homemade Sourdough Hot Dog Buns, and Sourdough Chocolate Shortbread Cookies.

This Super Bowl recipe uses sourdough discard that's baked to golden perfection and lightly salted. These organic hot dog buns add a savory depth that enhances the overall flavor of classic hot dogs! Try them with my Homemade BBQ Sauce with Bone Broth, Bone Broth Queso Dip, or Vegan Honey Mustard Dressing for a twist on classic hot dogs with ketchup!

Ingredients

• Yeast: I use organic instant yeast, which makes these organic hot dog buns rise. This also is a quick rise, so it makes them easy to make the day of your party. But, if you only have active-dry yeast, you can use that as well. You'll just want to add 15 to 25 minutes of rest time after covering the dough with plastic wrap.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Homemade dark brown sugar adds a rich flavor and dark color to the dough, which makes them more pretzel like.
• Milk: Use organic whole milk for the best flavor. Milk enriches dough, making it soft, which is ideal for pretzel dough like this.
• Sourdough Discard: You can use your sourdough discard straight from the fridge, you don't need active sourdough starter. If you don’t have discard, you can still make this recipe by mixing together 37 grams all purpose flour and 37 grams water and use that in its place.
• Pretzel Salt: I top these with pretzel salt for that signature salted pretzel top. If you don’t have pretzel salt, you can also use a flaky sea salt too.

*For a full list of ingredients and measurements, visit the recipe card below.

Baker’s Tips

• Always weigh ingredients for the best results.
• I used my stand mixer for these Hot Dog Pretzel Buns, but you can also just use a mixing bowl and your hands.
• If you don’t have sourdough discard, you can still make this recipe by mixing together 37 grams all purpose flour and 37 grams water. Use this in place of sourdough discard.
• If you don’t have pretzel salt, a flaky sea salt will also work.
• Be sure to store in an airtight container in the fridge. We found these are best reheated in the toaster oven on bake at 325°F until warm.

How to Make Sourdough Hot Dog Pretzel Buns

1. Activate the yeast: Whisk together the milk, sugar and yeast. Cover with plastic wrap and let the yeast activate for 15 minutes or until foamy and fragrant.

2. Make the dough: Stir the sourdough discard into the yeast mixture until completely incorporated.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, add the dry ingredients: the bread flour and salt.

4. Then, add in the yeast mixture and the butter.

5. Knead the butter into the dough until fully absorbed and there are no bits of flour. Strengthen the dough: Continue to knead for 5 minutes in your mixer. (If you're not using a mixer, turn the dough out onto a clean surface and knead for 5 to 10 minutes, or until it feels smooth and elastic.) Building a strong gluten network is essential for pretzels, so take the time to ensure the dough is well-developed before proceeding. Return the dough to the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. 

6. Prep the hot dogs: Blot the hot dogs with paper towels, and try to get as much moisture off them as possible. Too much moisture will make the pretzels soggy and gummy.

7. Shape the pretzel dogs: Flatten the dough out into an 8-inch square.

8. Divide the dough into 6 even strips. Roll each portion of dough into a 12-inch rope.

9. Starting at one end, wrap the dough tightly around the hot dog, tuck the ends in and pinch the dough so it doesn’t unravel. Repeat until all of the hot dogs are wrapped. Transfer the pretzel dogs to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze the tray uncovered while the oven heats up. Preheat the oven to 425°F.

10. Baking soda bath: When the oven is ready, whisk the baking soda into the hot water until dissolved.
    
    

11. Drop 1 pretzel dog into the baking soda bath for 1 minute, and transfer to a wire rack to drain. Repeat with the remaining pretzel dogs.

12. Sprinkle the pretzel salt on top of the dough. Return the pretzel dogs to the lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until evenly browned.
    
    
    

13. Brush the top of each bun of the pretzel dogs with melted butter and serve.

More Game Day Snacks

Bone Broth Queso Dip

Lemon Herb French Fries

Organic Dill Dip With Sour Cream

3 Ingredient Mango Guacamole