Nathan’s Famous Pretzel Dogs are a delicious hot dog treat that are fun to make at home. Nathan’s hot dogs are already cooked when you purchase them, so cooking Pretzel Dogs is just a matter of heating them up while nestled in their soft pretzel coating. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy this ballpark favorite in your own kitchen.
What are Nathan’s Pretzel Dogs?
Nathan’s Pretzel Dogs consist of Nathan’s all-beef hot dogs wrapped in a soft pretzel dough coating. The pretzel coating gives the hot dogs a delicious salty and chewy texture that perfectly complements the savory hot dog inside.
Nathan’s hot dogs were originally created in 1916 at Nathan’s Famous restaurant in Coney Island, NY. Today, Nathan’s is one of the most popular hot dog brands in the U.S. Their Pretzel Dogs combine their famous hot dogs with a fun pretzel twist.
Benefits of Cooking Your Own
While you can purchase Nathan’s Pretzel Dogs pre-made, there are a few benefits to cooking them yourself at home:
- It’s cheaper – Buying the ingredients separately costs less than buying the pre-made Pretzel Dogs.
- Customize the flavor – You can choose your own preferred pretzel dough, salt, and mustard for topping.
- Adjust the size – Make them smaller for kids or larger for heartier appetites.
- Fresh from the oven – Homemade always tastes better!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make about 8 Pretzel Dogs:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Nathan’s Famous Skinless Beef Franks | 8 hot dogs |
| All-purpose flour | 2 1/4 cups |
| Granulated sugar | 1 teaspoon |
| Instant dry yeast | 1 1/2 teaspoons |
| Warm water | 3/4 cup |
| Unsalted butter, melted | 1 tablespoon |
| Kosher salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Baking soda | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water) | For brushing on top |
| Coarse sea salt | For sprinkling on top |
Optional Toppings
- Spicy brown mustard
- Nacho cheese sauce
- Chopped onions
- Jalapeños
Equipment Needed
Having the right kitchen tools will make preparing Nathan’s Pretzel Dogs much easier:
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk or fork
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
- Oven mitts
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for cooking perfect Nathan’s Pretzel Dogs at home.
Make the Pretzel Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, and kosher salt.
- Heat the warm water just until lukewarm, about 110°F to 115°F. Add the melted butter and baking soda to the warm water and stir to combine.
- Pour the warm water mixture into the dry ingredients and stir together until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn dough out onto a clean surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Form into a ball.
- Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
Shape the Pretzel Dogs
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll and stretch each piece into a 24-inch rope.
- Wrap each dough rope spiral-style around a Nathan’s hot dog, stretching to cover the entire length of the hot dog.
- Place wrapped hot dogs onto the prepared baking sheet, evenly spaced.
Proof and Bake
- Cover dough-wrapped hot dogs with plastic wrap and let rise for 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Brush hot dogs with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until deep golden brown.
- Let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes before serving.
Add Toppings
Your hot Pretzel Dogs are ready to enjoy! Add any of your favorite toppings like mustard, cheese sauce, onions or jalapeños.
Storage
Nathan’s Pretzel Dogs are best when served immediately after baking. However, leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
You can also freeze baked Pretzel Dogs in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers. Reheat frozen Pretzel Dogs in a 350°F oven until hot, 15-20 minutes.
Helpful Tips
Follow these tips for extra pretzel dog success:
- Use hot dogs and pretzel dough right out of the fridge for easier shaping.
- Make sure the dough is stretched thin enough so it cooks through.
- Brush with egg wash right before baking for a shiny top.
- Use coarse sea salt or pretzel salt for authentic flavor.
- Serve hot with mustard, cheese sauce and other preferred toppings.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making Nathan’s Pretzel Dogs:
What kind of hot dogs should I use?
Nathan’s Famous premium beef hot dogs are highly recommended, since the Pretzel Dogs were created using Nathan’s hot dogs. You want an all-beef hot dog – not chicken or turkey.
Can I use a pretzel dough recipe instead of making from scratch?
Absolutely! You can use store-bought refrigerated pretzel dough, frozen pretzel dough, or a homemade pretzel dough in place of the recipe included.
What’s the best mustard for Pretzel Dogs?
Spicy brown mustard is the classic choice. But you can also use yellow mustard, honey mustard, stone ground mustard, or even Dijon.
How do I get the pretzels shiny and brown?
An egg wash brushed on before baking gives the pretzels a nice sheen and browned color. You can use a whole egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water.
Can I make Pretzel Dog bites instead of full size?
Yes! To make mini Pretzel Dog appetizers, you simply wrap smaller 2-3 inch long hot dog pieces with a thinner rope of dough. Adjust baking time down to 10-12 minutes.
Conclusion
Nathan’s famous Pretzel Dogs are a fun and delicious appetizer to make at home using just a few simple ingredients. For authentic flavor, use Nathan’s all-beef hot dogs and a soft pretzel dough wrapped tightly around them. Bake until golden brown and serve immediately with spicy mustard for the perfect snack! Adding your own custom toppings makes them even more mouthwatering. Now you can enjoy this ballpark and amusement park treat right from your own kitchen.