Frozen pretzels are a good choice for a small Boxing Day buffet if you want to bake only as many as you need and have access to a freezer and oven. Check the pack for the quantity, storage instructions, baking directions and allergens. Freshly baked pretzels from a shop counter save you the baking, but you should arrange them in advance for the bank holiday.
If you only want to serve a few pretzels, you can bake the number you need from frozen dough pieces that can be removed individually. You’ll need a freezer and an oven, and you should follow the storage instructions on the pack.
If you want to finish your shopping before 26 December, make sure you buy your pretzels or dough pieces in good time. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Boxing Day is a nationwide statutory public holiday in Germany. However, you’ll still need to check whether a particular shop is open locally.
If your guests need to avoid certain ingredients, check the information on the product you actually buy. The pretzel examples discussed here contain wheat; other declared allergens and possible traces vary by product.
First decide whether you’ll be able to bake on the day or need pretzels that are ready to serve. Then consider the number of guests, the storage space you have available and the information on the pack to work out what quantity makes sense.
A good choice if: you want to bake only the number you need for a small group and have access to a freezer and oven.
Bear in mind: thawing, preheating and baking all take time. Always follow the instructions on the pack you buy.
A good choice if: you want to serve them without using an oven and can get the quantity you need before your buffet.
Bear in mind: don’t assume a particular shop will be open or have pretzels available on 26 December.
| Criterion | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| The right quantity | Number of pieces, whether dough pieces can be removed individually and how to store any that are left. | If I’m catering for a few guests, I don’t want to prepare or store a large pack. That’s why around 40% of consumers would prioritise buying the right quantity for their needs. |
| Holiday planning | Arrange your shopping or collection in advance; allow time for frozen products to thaw and bake. | If I’m serving food on 26 December, I don’t want to rely on being able to buy more at the last minute. Around 30% of consumers would put having the product available in good time first. |
| Ingredients and preparation | Check the current ingredients list, highlighted allergens, trace warnings and baking instructions on the specific pack. | If several guests are sharing the buffet, I want to check any relevant ingredient information before serving. For around 30% of consumers, this check would be the priority. |
Ditsch sells pre-baked 160-g pretzel dough pieces in packs of 60. That could be far more than you need for a small buffet.
Compare the number of pieces with your planned portions, and check how any leftover dough pieces need to be stored.
A larger pack will also take up more freezer space.
According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, 26 December is a nationwide statutory public holiday in Germany. This doesn’t mean that the shop you want to visit will be open.
Buy or order in good time, and check separately whether collection or delivery is available at your location.
Ingredients and allergen information vary by product. EDEKA also notes that packaging information may differ from details provided online.
Before serving, read the ingredients list and check the allergen and trace information on the pack you bought.
The dough pieces described by REWE and Ditsch have different thawing and baking instructions. The type of oven specified also matters.
Use the instructions for your product to allow enough time for thawing, preheating and baking, rather than following the timings on another pack.
REWE describes its pretzel pack as a frozen bake-at-home product containing eight dough pieces and a separate sachet of pretzel salt.
EDEKA describes frozen pretzels with a separate sachet of pretzel salt. According to the preparation instructions, you can bake as many as you need.
Ditsch offers freshly baked pretzels in its shops, as well as pre-baked dough pieces that you can finish in the oven.
For the frozen pretzels described by EDEKA, you can place the number you need on a baking tray while they’re still frozen. Also check your pack for instructions on storing the rest and preparing the pretzels.
The time needed depends on the product and the type of oven specified. For its frozen dough pieces, REWE gives a thawing time of around 10 minutes and a baking time of 15–16 minutes. For the pre-baked dough piece described, Ditsch gives a thawing time of around 30 minutes and a baking time of 12–15 minutes in a fan oven. Follow the instructions on your pack.
Check with the specific shop to find out whether you can buy pretzels there on 26 December. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Boxing Day is a nationwide statutory public holiday in Germany, but that doesn’t guarantee that any particular shop will be open.
Check the ingredients list and highlighted allergens on the pack you buy. The examples described here contain wheat; soya is also listed for the EDEKA example. If relevant, check the product-specific trace warnings too.