Which pretzel is right for you?

An organic pretzel to bake at home

You’re after a large, warm soft pretzel and can allow time for thawing and baking. Whether it contains wholegrain ingredients depends on the recipe.

A crisp wholegrain snack

You want a ready-to-eat pretzel to keep in the cupboard or serve with a dip, and would like to choose based on the wholegrain content listed in the ingredients.

Keep an eye on ingredients and labelling

You compare the grains used, salt per 100 g and the information on allergens or possible traces on the specific pack.

What to look for when buying

First decide whether you want a pretzel to bake at home or a snack you can eat straight away. Then compare recipes within the type of product that suits you.

Criterion What to check Who it matters to
Organic certification and ingredients Compare the organic certification, organic control body and ingredients list on the specific pack. If I’m choosing organic, I want to know which grains and other ingredients are actually included. Around 42% of consumers make this their top priority.
Wholegrain content and texture Compare the stated wholegrain content and product type: a soft pretzel to bake at home or a crisp snack pretzel. If I’m after a stronger grain flavour or a particular texture, I want a pretzel whose recipe suits the way I’ll eat it. Around 33% of consumers give this need the most weight.
Preparation and labelling Read the thawing and baking instructions, salt per 100 g, any salt sachet, and allergen and traces information. I want a warm pretzel that fits into my day. I also want to consider the portion size and labelling before eating it. For around 25% of consumers, this practical need comes first.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming organic means wholegrain

    Organic certification alone doesn’t tell you the wholegrain content or salt level. The recipes of the organic pretzels listed here vary.

    Check the organic information, ingredients list, any stated wholegrain content and salt per 100 g separately.

  • Choosing by shape alone

    A pretzel dough piece for baking at home is suited to a warm snack, while a long-life snack pretzel can be eaten straight away. Their similar shape doesn’t tell you how they need to be prepared.

    Choose according to how you want to eat it, and follow the product-specific instructions for bake-at-home pretzels.

    Frozen products and dough pieces also need time to thaw and bake.

  • Overlooking salt sachets and portion size

    The salt value per 100 g doesn’t automatically show how much salt is in a whole pretzel. For products with a salt sachet, the amount you use also depends on how you prepare the pretzel.

    Compare the nutritional information, weight per pretzel and details about any salt sachet.

  • Not checking traces information

    Grain ingredients and warnings about possible traces of other allergens vary by product. A recipe labelled vegan doesn’t answer every question about allergens either.

    If you have an allergy, check the current labelling on the pack. For loose products, ask for the allergen information.

Brands to consider

Ditsch

Ditsch’s organic soft pretzel is a 110 g pre-proofed dough piece, supplied with a salt sachet for baking at home.

  • Ditsch publishes the ingredients, nutritional information and baking instructions for this product.
  • The dough piece needs to be thawed and baked before eating. Ditsch lists possible traces of lupin, mustard and soya.

Herzberger

REWE sells the Herzberger organic soft pretzel as a frozen product containing wholegrain oats and rye.

  • The product information includes details such as the ingredients, organic control body DE-ÖKO-006 and 1.23 g of salt per 100 g.
  • The pretzel needs to be baked. REWE says it must not be refrozen after thawing.

Alnatura

Alnatura offers organic wholegrain pretzels as a crisp snack rather than a large pretzel to bake at home.

  • For its 125 g wholegrain pretzels, Alnatura states that they contain 81% wholemeal wheat flour.
  • Alnatura says this variety contains 4% table salt and may contain traces of sesame.

HUOBER BREZEL

HUOBER BREZEL describes its long-life baked goods as using ingredients from organic and biodynamic farming.

  • This brand may suit you if you’re looking for packaged pretzel snacks rather than products to bake at home.
  • Compare the wholegrain content, salt and allergen information for the variety you choose.

EDEKA GUT&GÜNSTIG

EDEKA sells conventional soft pretzels under its GUT&GÜNSTIG range, including bake-at-home and bake-off products.

  • The product pages provide ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions for each item.
  • Recipes and salt information vary between products, so compare the specific pack you’re considering.

Pretzel snacks at Joybuy

These are packaged Alnatura pretzel snacks to eat straight away. If you’re looking for a large, warm soft pretzel, choose a product specifically intended for baking at home instead.

Alnatura organic spelt pretzels with sesame, 125 g

Alnatura organic spelt pretzels with sesame, 125 g

A pretzel snack for anyone looking for spelt and sesame in this type of product. Before buying, compare the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack.

View at Joybuy
Alnatura organic wholegrain salted pretzels, 125 g

Alnatura organic wholegrain salted pretzels, 125 g

A crisp wholegrain snack pretzel rather than a soft pretzel to bake at home. If sesame is a concern for you, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack carefully.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a pretzel is organic?

Check the organic certification, ingredients list and organic control body on the specific pack. For example, REWE lists DE-ÖKO-006 for the Herzberger organic soft pretzel. However, the organic claim alone doesn’t tell you its wholegrain content or salt level.

Can a wholegrain snack pretzel replace a warm soft pretzel?

Only if a crisp, ready-to-eat snack matters more to you than a large, warm pretzel. Alnatura states that its 125 g wholegrain pretzels contain 81% wholemeal wheat flour; an organic soft pretzel to bake at home serves a different purpose.

How do I prepare a frozen soft pretzel?

Follow the thawing and baking instructions for the specific product. Instructions vary between bake-at-home products, so make sure you follow the stated timings and cook the pretzel all the way through.

How do I compare the salt content of different pretzels?

First compare the salt values per 100 g on the same basis, then take the weight per pretzel and any salt sachet into account. The nutritional information per 100 g doesn’t automatically show how much salt is in the portion you actually eat.

What should I know about allergens in pretzels?

For packaged pretzels, read the current ingredients and allergen information. For loose products, ask for information about the specific item. Alongside gluten-containing grains, some products list possible traces of other allergens, which vary by recipe.