Pretzel Hot Dog Buns
I’ve partnered with Heinz and Collective Bias to create these Pretzel Hot Dog Buns.
Shake up your summer grillin’ routine with these tasty buns!
#KetchupsNewMustard #CollectiveBias
Are you a beach person or a mountain person? For me, I’ve always been a mountain guy. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that I grew up in Charleston, SC, and we went to the beach almost every weekend. But the mountains? The mountains were something different. I went to summer camp in the North Carolina mountains for several years back in middle school, and then later we took family vacations up to the North Carolina mountains, too.
I specifically remember one vacation to Highlands, NC when I was in either 8th or 9th grade. My sister and I were allowed to share our own hotel room. In hindsight, I’m sure that’s because my parents wanted to actually enjoy their vacation, too. But that’s ok. It meant that Courtney and I had a bit of freedom to roam around the town. My sister is 4 years younger than me, and I remember going out with her one afternoon to walk down the main street of town. Of course, our first stop was to the candy store. (Does that surprise anyone?)
I don’t remember the story exactly, but somehow it turned out that the owner of the candy store had received an incorrect shipment of jelly beans. And wouldn’t you know it, but two kids happened to be wandering around his store at the same time. Sure enough, those same two kids ended up walking out of the store with a free 10-pound box of root beer jellybeans. (Don’t worry…they were still sealed!) So much for my parents thinking they would have a nice, relaxing vacation. Their two kids had just acquired enough jellybeans for a small army.
Oddly enough, my favorite memory from that trip was actually not the jellybeans. Aside from the beautiful scenery (which I think I would appreciate more now that I am an adult), one of my favorite memories was going to get soft pretzels with my Dad. We walked into a little cafe, grabbed some soft pretzels and mustard, and then we sat outside on a bench with our snack. Good times!
Now that spring is here, we’ve been looking for every opportunity to pull out our grill. The other night, I decided to grill up some hot dogs for dinner. I’m not sure if it’s the weather or what, but I’ve been craving soft pretzels lately. I decided to make it a 2-for-1 and bake up some pretzel buns for those hot dogs. And oh man, I almost ate those buns straight off the pan when they came out of the oven. It took all of the self-control I could muster to wait until the hot dogs were done, too. (But I did have to cut a little wedge out of each bun to make room for the hot dog…and guess how long those little wedges lasted? Over/under was set at 2 minutes, and I think I came in under.)
I’ve always been a big fan of mustard. In fact, I think it’s probably my favorite condiment. For me, hot dogs typically only require mustard and a few diced red onions. But I’ve always hated how that first squirt of mustard is always watered down. You know what I’m talking about, right? That watery mustard just soaks into the bread and makes it soggy. Talk about a picnic fail!
On a recent trip to Walmart, I grabbed some of the new Heinz® Yellow Mustard. Not surprisingly, it was right there next to the big shelf of Heinz Ketchup! I’ve long been a fan of Heinz ketchup, so it made sense to grab Heinz Yellow Mustard as well. Heinz uses 100% natural ingredients, include stone-ground mustard seeds. Plus, the new top-down squeeze bottles have solved the problem of watery mustard. Score one for the perfect picnic!
Pretzel Hot Dog Buns
And we all know that pretzels taste better with mustard, right? They do. It’s a proven scientific fact. By that, I mean that my wife said so, and she’s a scientist. That makes it a proven scientific fact.
Seriously, though, these Pretzel Hot Dog Buns were awesome. We were talking about having some friends over this weekend, and I may very well make up another batch of these buns. I’m already looking forward to round 2 of these hot dogs…that is if we can keep from eating the buns straight out of the oven!
Oh, and I should point out that these buns are really not that difficult to make. Yes, they do require yeast. But they don’t require a long resting period like most homemade breads. If you think making Pretzel Hot Dog Buns sounds like a lot of work, then think again!
Did you make a batch of these Pretzel Hot Dog Buns at home? Leave a comment. Or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog)!
Pretzel Hot Dog Buns
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1¼ tsp salt
- 2/3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2¾ tsp active dry yeast Note: this is slightly more than a standard ¼-oz. package
- 1 cup warm water
For the Soaker
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 Tbsp baking soda
For the Pretzels
- Coarse salt
- 2 Tbsp butter melted
Instructions
- Using a countertop mixer with the dough hook attached, combine all of the dough ingredients (flour, salt, brown sugar, yeast, and warm water). Mix on medium speed for 6 minutes.
- Transfer dough to an oiled bowl. Cover and place in a warm (85°F) location for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the soaker by combining the boiling water with the baking soda. Mix until baking soda is fully dissolved, and set aside to cool.
- Once dough has risen, divide into 10 equally-sized pieces. (If you have a kitchen scale, each piece should be about 2½ oz.) Allow dough to rest uncovered for 5 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Shape each piece of dough into a 7”x4” rectangle. Working with a longer side, roll the dough up tightly. Pinch the edges closed as you roll and then pinch the longer seam tightly to seal.
- Place each bun in the Soaker mixture for 2 minutes (spoon water over the top of bun if it is not fully covered by the water).
- Grease a large baking sheet or spray with baking spray. Place buns on the baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with coarse salt. Using a sharp knife, cut 3 shallow, diagonal slits into the top of each bun. Allow buns to rest for 10 minutes uncovered.
- Bake at 450°F for 8-10 minutes, or until pretzels are golden brown in color. Remove pretzels from oven and brush with melted butter.
- Once cool, slice a small wedge out of the top of each bun. Add grilled hotdogs and favorite hotdog toppings.
Looking for more fun pretzel-inspired ideas? Check out these other tasty recipes, too:
So want a grilled hot dog on one of these buns!
Thanks, Phronsie! These pretzel buns are super easy to make…and I almost ate them all before the hot dogs were even off the grill! 🙂
Pretzel hot dog buns are a novelty to me, David! In fact, I’ve never ever made hot dog buns! I do love me some pretzels with mustard, though – but, these buns are on a whole other level!
I was reading bout your memories about your childhood vacation, and, couldn’t help but chuckle, as most of my memories about my family vacays revolve around food too!
I don’t have a favorite jellybean – in fact – if my sis and I were handed a 10 lb box of them – am thinking I might have to haggle with the store owner to exchange them for 10 lbs of CHOCOLATE! 🙂
So I’d never heard of pretzel hot dog buns, either, Shashi…but I had made pretzel sandwich rolls before. They were super easy, so I figured let’s give them a try in bun form instead! And they totally worked. 🙂 As far as food and vacations, Laura and I were actually JUST having this conversation. We were laughing that most of our vacations revolve around good food and good drinks in some manner. Good times!!
To be honest, I have never loved hot dogs and the other combos of meat and bread that much (just once in a while), but these bad guys look so incredibly good that I am about to attack my laptop!:) Actually, in most hot dogs I’ve tried so far, I haven’t loved the buns (am I too picky?), but in my book buns make the difference! I’ve got a feeling if I had a chance to try these buns, I would be really impressed and probably change my attitude. But I didn’t have such a chance (It’s a hint by the way) 🙂
Hey, there’s nothing wrong with being picky when it comes to food, Ben! I say eat what makes you happy…just as long as that isn’t dessert 3 meals a day. Hah! These buns were crazy delicious. It seriously took all the control I had to not just dig into them straight out of the oven…sans hot dog and all. Are you suggesting that I ate all of the pretzel buns too quickly? Because that is a fact. No suggestion needed! 🙂
No desserts 3 times a day? David, you’ve just ruined my day and the concept of eating! 🙂 I was suggesting you to send me a few before they gone, but it’s definitely too late now!
Hi David! I occasionally get a craving for a good hotdog, but the commercial buns are really sub standard. These, however, look wonderful! The only thing I would add is to wrap those dogs in bacon before grilling – you know everything is better with bacon! Our “neighbors” here are mostly cows and our view from the backyard is the south face of the Cumberland Mountains. We look up at McCloud’s Mountain – check out the site on the internet. We are going to dinner up there with friends later in the week – it’s quite impressive!
I totally agree with you, Dorothy! So a few years back, something awakened in me and I decided that I wanted to make all of our bread homemade. I think I was purely amazed that I could (1) make homemade bread and (2) have it taste so good! While I don’t make all of our bread now, I do make it quite often. There’s something so fun and relaxing about making bread dough…and of course, there’s something so delicious about eating fresh bread out of the oven! Now you are talking about wrapping these dogs with bacon, though…I clearly need to try this (and soon)!
The Cumberland Mountains are a beautiful part of the country. I just pulled up the website, and that skywalk is incredible! I’m not gonna lie…that is pretty much exactly where I’d like to live! (Minus the whole lack of cheese options of course…haha).
Hi David! I just made a loaf of brioche yesterday. I make all our bread because 1) it is fun, 2) I know what is in it and 3) I refuse to pay the ridiculous price for a decent loaf od bread! We really lucked out finding this place, but we are close enough to Knoxville that we do get to the “city” sometimes! 🙂
Hi David! I do not know why this just came into my head. How about a lobster roll in a pretzel bun? I know I have probably just offended half of the East coast, but it sounds good to me. Your thoughts??
That sounds quite interesting, Dorothy! You’ve got quite the creative brain. 🙂 Would you believe it, but I’ve actually never cooked lobster at home. I guess I need to get over that and do it. I’ve done crawfish plenty of times (too bad I can’t find crawfish up here in the northeast…imagine that!), but never lobster. It’s a local thing for sure, though. Well, by local I mean Boston which is only like 3 hours from here. Either way, I love that combo! 🙂
Hi David! Even I can get crawfish! At Walmart! They are in the frozen seafood section. Which is actually an advantage, because shelling those little buggers is time consuming! I also can get fresh, live lobster at the “upscale” grocery in town. Cooking lobster is so easy and quick, you really should go for it! I have always been one to switch things up in the kitchen – I love playing with food!
Haha…we found something you can get and I can’t! And I’m crazy jealous about it! I’ve been debating ordering some online, but I haven’t gone that far yet. I’m pretty sure they would look at me like I’m crazy if I asked for crawfish at our local grocery store!
Hi David! Score one for me – HaHa!
These look so good! Really excited for BBQ season and to try these delicious hot dogs! 😀
Thank you so much, Jess! I am totally excited for grilling season, too. This winter was wayyy too long…and now I want to just grill every night. 🙂
Those buns look SO good – and that’s such a genius idea! Ahh, hot dogs remind me of summer, and we’re almost there!! 🙂
We’re SO close, Christina! We’ve been toying with good weather over here in this part of the state, but it hasn’t quite made it here full-time. We had snow flurries last week (huh??), but I’m hopeful that the winter is finally behind us now. Time for grilling season!
Root beer jelly beans sound pretty darn good to me, lucky for you and your sister. I definitely am a big fan of mustard and no way on the mayo so these would be perfect with that pretzel bun for sure. As for beach or mountain… it’s funny I live in San Diego minutes from the beach but in reality only go to take my dogs to play in the waves. I’m more the hiker, mountain lover.
I swear our Wolfpack has been baking fools lately! Nice job on these. #WolfpackBakeries
You know what, Kevin? I don’t think my sister and I ever finished all of those root beer jellybeans. I remember them sitting on the counter of our kitchen for a while after we got home…and I’m guessing my mom finally made them disappear. Here’s to the mountains, my friend! (Although I am jealous that your dogs get to go play in the waves. I took my dog to the beach once, and he loved it…but the beach is a bit of a long haul away now.)
I’d take the mountains over the beach because I enjoy hiking and mountains are always breathtaking. . OK, these pretzel hot dogs are FREAKING amazing! and I’m so glad you baked your own! LOVE!!!!!
I love hiking in the mountains, too, Alice…there’s nothing like a crisp fall (or spring) day to really put me in a good mood! Oh, and pretzel hot dog buns put me in a good mood, too…just sayin’! 🙂
I think I’m more a beach person. I grew up hiking and camping so beach is always fun and we do that a lot in the Summer. And oh my! These pretzel hot dog buns are amazing! Can’t wait for BBQ season to come.
That’s so funny, Linda. It sounds like we are opposites. I grew up near the beach and prefer mountains. You grew up near mountains and prefer the beach. Go figure! Oh, and I can’t wait for BBQ season, too. Heck, I’ve been out there for a few weeks grilling already. Granted, I *might* have had a jacket on when I first started, but that’s a small sacrifice in my book. 🙂
I like to think of myself as a camping person. Mountain, beach, or hillside as long as I’m camping, I’m happy!
And you know what? These hot-dogs would be perfect for camping. Really perfect!
#WolkpackCamping
Of course, you had to go and invent a 3rd option to a 2-option question, Mike. Good job. But you are totally right…hot dogs are the quintessential camping food! Stick those bad boys on a stick and roast ’em over a fire. Just make sure to have some pretzel buns in the backpack. And make sure to howl at the moon a couple of times, too.
Root beer jelly beans? Uhmmmm, NO!!! Lol! I’ve never had hot dogs on a pretzel bun. What a great idea!!
Right, Zainab?? I think I know why the shop owner decided to hand off that box of jelly beans. I mean who in the world wants 10 pounds of root beer jelly beans? My sister and I put a solid dent into them, but I don’t think we ever finished them. That’s probably a good thing for our parents’ sake. 🙂
America + Mustard + hot dogs = best first post to read. I’m so impressed you made the buns from scratch and combined it with pretzels! Like you, mustard and onions is all is needed as condiments and the first squeeze is reserved for the drain..which I forget 95% of the tim!
PS- I hope those root beer jelly belly’s didnt go to waste…$1.50+ an ounce here. Damn imports!
Heck yeah! You landed in the States just in time for the grills to come out, too. It’s been a long, cold winter, and I’m ready to grill up some burgers and dogs now! $1.50/ounce for jelly beans?? I say your first stop needs to be the jelly bean store! (I don’t know if they actually have a jelly bean store, but then again it’s NYC…they have everything.)