Which pretzels might suit you

Hosts looking for sourdough as an ingredient

If sourdough matters to you, check the ingredients list rather than relying on terms such as ‘artisan’. REWE lists wholemeal rye sourdough and yeast in Herzberger Bio Laugenbrezel.

Hosts with a set serving time

If you’re serving warm pretzels to a group, the pack size and preparation instructions will help you plan. Frozen dough pieces and ready-baked pretzels need different amounts of preparation time.

Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens

If any guests need to avoid particular ingredients or allergens, check the information for the specific product. A vegan label, for example, doesn’t mean a pretzel is gluten-free.

What to look for when buying

First, decide whether you specifically want sourdough as an ingredient or whether a pretzel that’s quick to serve matters more. Then match the preparation time, quantity and ingredients to your plans for the evening.

What to considerWhat to checkWho it matters to
Sourdough as an ingredient Is sourdough specifically listed in the ingredients? Also check whether yeast is included. If I’m looking for a sourdough pretzel, I want to be able to check the ingredient for myself rather than relying on an artisan-style image. Around 38% of consumers are likely to put this first.
Preparation time Is the pretzel an unbaked dough piece or already baked? Check the defrosting time and preparation instructions. If I have a set serving time, I want to know when the pretzels will actually be warm and ready to eat. This schedule is likely to be the most important factor for around 31% of consumers.
Quantity and how you’ll serve them Compare the number of pretzels and pack size, and decide whether they’ll be a side or a filled snack. If pretzels are the main snack, I’ll need a different quantity than if they’re just a small side. Around 16% of consumers are likely to choose mainly on this basis.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack; if buying loose products, ask what information is available. If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to check the information for those specific pretzels before serving them. This is likely to be a priority for around 15% of consumers.

Avoiding common buying mistakes

  • Assuming ‘artisan’ means sourdough

    A term like this is no substitute for an ingredients list. REWE lists wholemeal rye sourdough in Herzberger; the ingredients lists for the classic pretzels considered from REWE, EDEKA and Ditsch include yeast but not sourdough.

    Look specifically for sourdough in the ingredients list and check whether yeast is included too.

  • Planning for dough pieces as if they were ready-baked pretzels

    According to the manufacturer, the Ditsch pretzel considered here only needs heating. Herzberger, REWE and EDEKA’s frozen dough pieces, by contrast, need to defrost and then be baked.

    Choose the format that fits your serving time and follow the preparation instructions for the specific product.

  • Confusing vegan with gluten-free

    Herzberger Bio Laugenbrezel is described as vegan, but REWE says it contains gluten-containing cereals. EDEKA also lists soya and possible traces of other allergens for its Heimatliebe Laugenbrezen.

    If anyone has allergies or coeliac disease, check the information for the specific product. For loose products, ask for the allergen information.

  • Assuming information from other stores applies to your pack

    EDEKA notes that the Laugenbrezen mentioned may not be available in every store. According to ALDI SÜD, different suppliers may mean that GOLDÄHREN Laugenbrezen have varying nutritional values.

    Check availability before you shop, and read the ingredients and nutritional information on the pack in store.

Useful brands to know

Herzberger

Organic pretzel dough pieces, frozen and ready to bake.

  • REWE lists six dough pieces, with wholemeal rye sourdough in the ingredients.
  • The recipe also contains yeast and gluten-containing cereals; the inclusion of sourdough doesn’t mean the dough is made using sourdough alone.

REWE Beste Wahl

Frozen pretzels to bake at home; the 770-g pack listed contains eight dough pieces.

  • REWE provides preparation instructions, plus ingredients and may-contain information.
  • The ingredients list includes yeast but no sourdough.

Ditsch

The ‘Schwäbische Art’ frozen pretzel is already baked and just needs heating.

  • For this product, Ditsch recommends heating for around four minutes at 180 °C in a fan oven.
  • The ingredients list includes wheat and yeast but no sourdough. The pack shown contains 40 pretzels, which may not suit a small household.

EDEKA Heimatliebe

Frozen pretzels with preparation instructions for the oven and air fryer.

  • EDEKA provides preparation times, ingredients and allergen information for the product.
  • The ingredients list includes yeast rather than sourdough, as well as wheat and soya. EDEKA notes that the product may not be available in every store.

GOLDÄHREN

The frozen pretzels listed by ALDI SÜD come in a pack of ten, weighing 868 g.

  • ALDI SÜD labels the product listed as vegan.
  • As different suppliers may be used, check the ingredients and nutritional information on the specific pack.

Joybuy products on this topic

Products to match this topic will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is a pretzel made with sourdough automatically yeast-free?

No. REWE lists both wholemeal rye sourdough and yeast in Herzberger Bio Laugenbrezel. The ingredients list confirms that sourdough is included, not that the recipe is made using sourdough alone.

How much preparation time do frozen pretzels need for a fakeaway night?

The listed REWE Beste Wahl and Herzberger dough pieces each need around ten minutes to defrost, followed by about 15 to 16 minutes of baking. Allow extra time to preheat the oven, and follow the instructions on your pack.

Can I bake pretzels in an air fryer?

EDEKA provides air-fryer instructions for its Heimatliebe Laugenbrezen: defrost for around ten minutes, then bake for 9 to 12 minutes at 180 °C. Don’t apply these timings to other products; check their own preparation instructions.

How can I check allergens in a loose pretzel?

Ask at the bakery counter for the allergen information for that specific pretzel. Lebensmittelklarheit explains that, under certain conditions, this information for loose products can also be provided verbally, with written information available to consult.