For a seasoned snack that’s ready to serve straight away, try pretzel bites; for an easy snack bowl, classic salted pretzels are a good choice. If you want warm soft pretzels or something you can top on the BBQ table, plan for bake-at-home products and allow enough time to prepare them. The term “thick cut” alone doesn’t tell you much: check the actual shape, seasoning and, for frozen products, the cooking instructions.
If you want snacks ready without using the oven, pretzel bites or dry salted pretzels fit the bill. With seasoned bites, it’s worth checking the flavour and ingredients, especially if several guests will be sharing them.
If you’d like to serve warm pretzels or offer small soft pretzels for guests to top, choose frozen pretzels or a mini soft pretzel mix. Make sure you have room in the freezer and allow time for defrosting and baking.
If you have allergies or intolerances, or are watching your salt intake, check the specific pack. The pretzel types covered here have different ingredients, allergen information and details about added salt; the product category alone isn’t enough to assess them.
First, decide whether you want the pretzels to go straight into a snack bowl or to serve as a warm side. Then check the shape, seasoning and pack details to make sure they suit the way you plan to serve them.
| What you need | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Crunchy snacks ready to serve | Bites or whole salted pretzels; check the seasoning on bites. | If I want dips and snack bowls ready before the BBQ, I don’t want to have to bake anything first. Around 36% of consumers prioritise snacks that are ready to serve. |
| Warm pretzels or ones you can top | Shape and quantity, as well as defrosting and baking instructions. | For a warm side to go with food from the grill, I’m happy to allow time for preparation and make space in the oven. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Seasoning and snack shape | Flavour and whether the shape suits the way you plan to serve it. | Alongside classic pretzels, I want to offer deliberately seasoned bites or another soft pretzel shape. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this kind of variety. |
| Ingredients, allergens and salt | Ingredients list, allergen information, salt per 100 g and any pretzel salt supplied with the product. | Before choosing pretzels for guests, I need to check what they contain and how much salt I’ll be serving. This is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
The term alone doesn’t tell you whether you’re getting seasoned bites, whole salted pretzels or soft pretzels to bake at home. Coarse pretzel salt doesn’t describe the size of the pieces, either.
Choose according to how you plan to serve them, and check the product name and image. For frozen soft pretzels, it’s also worth checking whether pretzel salt is supplied separately.
For the frozen soft pretzel products described by REWE, the figures refer to either the unbaked or prepared product, depending on the product, and exclude any extra salt. This can make a direct comparison misleading.
For each pack, check whether the figures per 100 g apply to the unbaked or prepared product, and whether any salt supplied with it is included.
Whole pretzels, mini shapes and seasoned bites can contain different ingredients and carry different may-contain warnings. A familiar brand or similar-looking product image isn’t a substitute for checking the details.
Check the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and may-contain information for each specific product. For unwrapped products, ask for the information relating to the exact item on offer.
EDEKA notes on its product pages that items may not be available in every store. This matters when planning a BBQ table around a particular pretzel shape.
Check what your local store has before you shop, and have an alternative serving idea ready, such as a bowl of dry snacks instead of warm soft pretzels.
Ditsch describes a range that includes soft pretzels in various sizes, sticks, rolls, buns and pretzel bites. According to the manufacturer, some ready-baked products are also available pre-sliced.
REWE sells frozen soft pretzels under this own-label brand, as well as a mini soft pretzel mix in stick and roll shapes for baking at home.
EDEKA describes dry salted pretzels for snack bowls and frozen soft pretzels with pretzel salt supplied under this own-label brand.
ALDI SÜD lists SUNSNACKS salted pretzels as a packaged snack, and soft pretzels and soft pretzel sticks in its MEINE BACKWELT in-store bakery range.
This selection includes ready-to-eat pretzel bites and salted pretzels for a dry BBQ snack table. If you’re planning to serve warm soft pretzels that guests can top, look specifically for a bake-at-home option instead.
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These pretzel bites are an option for a snack platter with dips that’s ready to serve straight away. The product name alone doesn’t tell you whether the actual piece size is right for you, so check the pack for details.
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Classic salted pretzels are a good choice for a dry snack bowl and need no baking; you could also serve them with dips. If the size of each pretzel matters to you, check the pack rather than trying to work it out from the product name.
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Mini salted pretzels are a handy option if you’re looking for small pretzels that are ready to serve in a snack bowl. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack for your guests.
The term alone doesn’t specify a particular pretzel shape or piece size. Check the product name and pack to decide whether you’re buying pretzel bites for snacking, salted pretzels for a bowl or soft pretzels to bake at home.
Allow time for defrosting and baking the frozen soft pretzel products described by EDEKA and REWE: the examples given call for around 10 minutes to defrost, followed by about 15 to 16 minutes in the oven. Always follow the instructions on your specific pack; bake the product until ready as directed.
Check the details for each specific type of pretzel rather than guessing the ingredients from its shape or brand. Wheat is a relevant ingredient in the products covered here; other ingredients and possible traces vary by product. For unwrapped baked goods, you’ll need the allergen information for the product on offer.
First compare the salt figures per 100 g and check whether any pretzel salt supplied with the product is already included. EDEKA lists 4,4 g of salt per 100 g for its GUT&GÜNSTIG salted pretzels; for frozen soft pretzels, however, the nutritional information may refer to preparation without extra pretzel salt. The amount you serve also depends on the portion size and how much salt you use.