Who needs to think carefully about their choice?

Hosts planning for a changing number of guests

If you’re not sure how many guests will come or what other snacks you’ll be serving, you can add several small bags gradually until you have the quantity you need.

Hosts looking to offer a variety of snacks

If you’d like to serve pretzel sticks and salted pretzels together, a mixed pack could be a good option – as long as you can use any leftovers later and store them somewhere dry.

Hosts who want to serve warm soft pretzels

For soft pretzels that need baking, make sure the defrosting and baking times, as well as your oven capacity, work for your get-together. They’re different from ready-to-eat salted pretzels for snacking.

What should you look for when buying?

First, work out how many you’ll need alongside the other food. Then decide whether ready-to-eat salted pretzels or warm soft pretzels are a better fit, and check the labelling on the specific pack.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Flexible pack sizes Match the bag size and total quantity to the number of guests and the other snacks. If the number of guests might change, I want to be able to combine bags as needed. This flexibility is a priority for around 36% of consumers.
Leftovers With larger packs, check whether you can store any leftovers somewhere dry and use them later. For a small gathering with other food, I don’t want to open more pretzels than we’re likely to eat. This is a priority for around 29% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and ‘may contain’ information on the pack you buy. If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I need the information for the exact variety I’ve chosen. This check is a priority for around 21% of consumers.
How they’re served For soft pretzels that need baking, check the cooking instructions, available oven space and preparation time. I want to serve warm soft pretzels, so I need to fit the baking into the get-together’s schedule. This is the most important requirement for around 14% of consumers.

Common planning mistakes

  • Choosing a bulk pack just because it’s large

    The Mayka mixed pack described by EDEKA24 contains 8 × 250 g. Some could be left over for a smaller gathering, even if both pretzel sticks and salted pretzels are popular.

    Compare the total quantity with the number of guests and the other food. Only include a bulk pack in your plans if you can also make use of any leftovers.

  • Assuming allergen information based on the brand or product photo

    Ingredients and ‘may contain’ information apply to the specific recipe. EDEKA24 lists wheat for its Gut & Günstig salted pretzels, which may also contain traces of sesame and milk. This doesn’t tell you anything about other pretzels in the same category.

    Before serving, read the information on the pack you actually bought and check what individual guests need, rather than relying on information from a previous pack.

  • Planning to serve soft pretzels that need baking as if they were snack pretzels

    Ditsch states that its 160-g soft pretzel dough piece takes around 30 minutes to defrost, followed by 12 to 15 minutes to bake at 180 °C. If you’re baking several trays, allow enough time and oven space.

    Check the format and cooking instructions for the variety you choose. If baking doesn’t fit your schedule, ready-to-eat salted pretzels are another option.

Brands and supermarket options to consider

ALDI Nord / SUN SNACKS

ALDI Nord sells SUN SNACKS salted pretzels as a ready-to-eat snack in 250-g bags.

  • You can combine several bags to get the total quantity you need.
  • Before shopping, check whether the pack is available at your chosen store.

EDEKA / Gut & Günstig

EDEKA24 sells Gut & Günstig salted pretzels in 250-g bags as a ready-to-serve snack.

  • The bag size makes it easier to build up the total quantity gradually.
  • The variety described by EDEKA24 contains wheat and may contain traces of sesame and milk. Check the labelling on the pack you buy.

Ditsch

Ditsch describes a pre-cooked 160-g soft pretzel dough piece with a sachet of salt for baking at home, rather than a long-life snack pretzel.

  • The preparation instructions help you plan defrosting and baking for a warm serving option.
  • The 60-piece catering pack described requires different quantity and oven planning from small snack bags. Before choosing it, check which format you can actually buy.

Products at Joybuy

Suitable products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I serve salted pretzels to guests with coeliac disease or a wheat allergy?

Don’t choose salted pretzels for them based on the product name alone. The Gut & Günstig salted pretzels described by EDEKA24 contain wheat; the Mayka mixed pack lists wheat and barley malt flour. Always check the labelling on the pack you buy and take into account the individual requirements of the person concerned.

Should I check ‘may contain’ information on pretzel packs too?

Yes, if a guest needs to avoid any of the allergens mentioned. EDEKA24 lists possible traces of sesame and milk for its Gut & Günstig salted pretzels, and possible traces of sesame for the Mayka mixed pack. Always check the information on the specific pack.

How can I plan how many pretzels to buy without having too many left over?

Base the quantity on the number of guests and the other food you’re serving. The Verbraucherzentrale recommends that when planning food for guests, you should err on the side of offering a wider choice rather than simply increasing quantities. If you’re considering a bulk pack, also think in advance about whether you can use any leftover pretzels later.