For a spontaneous get-together, choose ready-baked pretzels to defrost or warm briefly, or pick some up from the in-store bakery if they’re available. Part-baked frozen dough pieces are an option if you want to bake them yourself and have time for defrosting and baking. Whichever type you choose, pack size, ingredients and allergens can all influence your decision.
If you’re only having a few guests, consider the total amount in the pack and whether you can take out individual frozen pieces. Also think about where you’ll store unopened packs or any suitable leftovers. The German Environment Agency recommends planning your shopping and freezing suitable leftovers.
If you want to serve pretzels warm from your own oven, part-baked frozen dough pieces are one option. Defrosting and baking times vary by product, so make sure the oven is free when you plan to serve them.
If pretzels are just an accompaniment to antipasti, choose ready-baked pretzels or pick some up from the in-store bakery. For frozen products, check whether they simply need defrosting or should be warmed. Part-baked dough pieces, on the other hand, need to be baked.
First decide how many pretzels you actually want to prepare and whether you have the time and oven space to bake them. Mini pretzels are simply smaller in size, not a separate preparation method: they can also be sold as part-baked frozen dough pieces.
Ideal if: You want to defrost the pretzels or warm them briefly before serving.
Things to consider: There’s no full baking process, but the specific preparation instructions will tell you how much time you need.
Ideal if: You want to bake the pretzels yourself and can set aside time to use the oven.
Things to consider: As well as defrosting, you’ll need time to bake them. Follow the product-specific instructions to make sure they’re thoroughly cooked.
Ideal if: You want to buy the number of pretzels you need without baking them at home.
Things to consider: The pretzels you want need to be available in store. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product at the point of sale.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and leftovers | Total weight, number of pieces and whether you can take out individual pieces from a frozen pack. | If I’m only having a few guests, I don’t want to prepare the whole pack and need space to store the rest. Getting the quantity right is a priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Baking time | The product’s state, plus the defrosting time, oven temperature and baking time shown on the pack. | If I want to serve pretzels straight from my oven, the baking time needs to fit into the evening. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this freshly baked finish. |
| Minimal preparation | Whether the pretzels are already baked or can be bought from the in-store bakery without baking them at home. | If I’m serving them quickly with antipasti, I don’t want to have to bake dough pieces. Around 25% of consumers say ease of serving is their top priority. |
Ready-baked pretzels and part-baked dough pieces need different preparation. Ditsch says its ready-baked 100-g pretzel can be defrosted or warmed briefly, while its part-baked 100-g dough piece needs to be defrosted slightly and then baked.
Check the product description and instructions on the pack rather than relying on labels such as ‘semi-fresh’.
Small individual pieces don’t necessarily mean you’ll be buying a small quantity: the frozen GOLDÄHREN mini pretzel mix described by ALDI SÜD contains 518 g.
Compare the size of each piece with the total pack weight, and check how to store any you don’t use before buying.
Ingredients vary between products. According to the product information, the La-Nouvelle butter pretzel listed by REWE contains butter, wheat and barley; it may also contain traces of sesame.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, check the current label on the pack you’ve chosen, or ask about the information for loose products at the point of sale.
EDEKA notes that product information may vary between stores. ALDI SÜD describes the mini pretzel mix mentioned above as a limited-time special buy.
If you’re shopping for a specific date, check availability at your store and have a different type of product in mind as a back-up if necessary.
Ditsch describes specific pretzel products as either ready-baked or part-baked dough pieces, including a mini pretzel mix.
REWE lists a La-Nouvelle butter pretzel, with product information that can help you check the details of this particular option.
EDEKA describes frozen pretzel products with preparation instructions specific to defrosting and baking.
ALDI SÜD describes freshly baked goods from its in-store bakery and a frozen GOLDÄHREN mini pretzel mix.
Lidl says its in-store bakery range is freshly baked several times a day.
If you’re short on time, a ready-baked frozen pretzel is a better choice if you only need to defrost it or warm it briefly. For its ready-baked 100-g pretzel, Ditsch says to allow around 60 minutes for defrosting, or 3–4 minutes at 180 °C in a fan oven to warm it. Its part-baked 100-g ‘Swabian-style’ dough piece needs around 20 minutes to defrost slightly, followed by about 14 minutes in the oven at 190 °C, according to Ditsch.
Bake part-baked dough pieces according to the instructions for the specific product. EDEKA explicitly labels its Heimatliebe pretzels as not suitable for eating raw and says they must be thoroughly cooked. Don’t assume the same baking time will work for other products or ovens.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the pretzel you’re actually buying, including loose products. For example, the La-Nouvelle butter pretzel listed by REWE contains wheat, barley and butter, and may also contain traces of sesame. These details don’t automatically apply to other products.
Compare the number of pretzels you need with the total quantity in the pack. For frozen products, check whether you can take out individual pieces. The German Environment Agency recommends planning your shopping and freezing suitable leftovers; the Lower Saxony Consumer Advice Centre notes that freezing can affect quality.
The in-store bakery is an option if you don’t want to bake at home and the pretzels you want are available. ALDI SÜD and Lidl describe their bakery products as freshly baked or reheated regularly. Check that your store has the quantity you need, and ask about allergen information if necessary.