9 Copycat Auntie Anne's Recipes (2024)

Homemade versions of practically the entire Auntie Anne's menu

By: Josh Henreckson, Editor, AllFreeCopycatRecipes.com

If you'veeverbeen to a mall, you know it: the deliciously tempting smell of Auntie Anne's drifting across the food court. It seems like no one can resist the temptation. Who would've thought that a few pretzels could beat out world-famous fast food restaurants in the food court pecking order?

Auntie Anne's doesn't make ordinary pretzels, though. They're always the perfect blend of soft interior and satisfying, ever-so-slightly crisp exterior. Whether you're dealing with classic salted pretzels, hot dog bites, or sweet, cinnamon-dusted pretzels, you know they're going to taste amazing as well.

With these 9 Copycat Auntie Anne's Recipes, you'll be as close as you can get to recreating the pinnacle of pretzels and you won't even have to leave your home. It doesn't matter if you're trying to treat yourself, entertain guests, or blow the minds of the kids in your life, you'll find exactly what you need in this list.

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1. Homemade Auntie Anne's Pretzels

Ah, the classic. Some Auntie Anne's copycats yield small, lumpy pretzels: knockoffs that barely resemble the original. Not this recipe. Pair these perfect treats with dijon mustard for an easy, savory afternoon snack or go all out and make your own cheese sauce.

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2. Pretzel Pizza Rolls

Auntie Anne's loves to dress up their vintage soft pretzels with all sorts of other crowd-pleasing ingredients. These cheesy pepperoni pretzel nuggets are the perfect bite-sized appetizer to drive any party wild. If anything, they may betoogood. Your guests may have trouble focusing on anything else!

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3. Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites

    We know, it's hard to resist classic pretzels and hot dog bites, but you're seriously missing out if you haven't tried Auntie Anne's bite-sized cinnamon pretzels. Lucky for you, this copycat recipe is a dead ringer for the original. And once you pair it with the homemade cream cheese sauce? These little pretzels are like tiny portals to heaven!

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    4. Auntie Anne's Inspired Soft Pretzel Nuggets

    Sometimes you just need something mini. Snacking on the go? Entertaining a crowd? Any way you slice it, these soft pretzel nuggets are the perfect choice for helping a little snack go a long way.

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    5. Auntie Anne's Pretzel Copycat

    Another twiston the recipe that made Auntie Anne's famous across the country. Roll them nice and thin to really make the copycat identical to the original. And if you're still looking for that perfect cheese sauce, look no further! This recipe has got your dipping needs covered.

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    6. Just-Like Auntie Anne's Caramel Apple Soft Pretzels

    Enough with the classics, it's time to get creative! You've got the classic pretzel recipe down by now, so it's high time you start adding your own special touch to it. These sweet pretzels are perfect for the fall and winter season, but anyone you serve them to will be thoroughly impressed no matter the time of year.

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    7. Homemade Pretzel Bread

    Pretzel bread with its own unique twists (whether or not you actually twist the dough is up to you). You can certainly eat these like the original pretzels they were based on, but feel free to try something new as well. Maybe make a sandwich or set them out as a side with dinner instead of as a snack.

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    8. Copycat Soft Pretzels with Sea Salt

    Straight from the queen of copycats herself comes the simplest, most versatile recipe for Auntie Anne's pretzels you could possibly ask for. For sweet, salty, and everything in between, this recipe has everything you need. All that flavor can be yours in under an hour, so what are you waiting for?

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    9. Apple Cinnamon Pretzel Bites

    Last but not least, we had to leave you with the most mouth-watering dessert pretzel we could find. How could anyone resist sweet, sugary, melt-in-your-mouth apple cinnamon pretzel bites dipped in caramel sauce? And who would even want to? One bite is all you need to get hooked on your newest copycat obsession.

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    Up next:

    Homemade Bar Food Recipes
    In the comments, why don't you tell us what your favorite place to eat at the mall food court is and also why it's definitely Auntie Anne's?

    9 Copycat Auntie Anne's Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the secret solution for Auntie Anne's pretzels? ›

    Brown Sugar- brown sugar is what Auntie Anne's pretzels, use for their pretzel dough. Salt- use good quality sea salt. Baking powder- works as a dough conditioner for these soft homemade pretzels. Basic Alkaline wash- is a simple baking soda and water solution made for dipping pretzels in.

    What makes Auntie Anne's pretzels so good? ›

    Auntie Anne Pretzels are somehow more delicious than your average pretzel. A healthy dose of sugar makes for a tasty dough, and a topping of melted butter and salt makes them positively addictive. Another reason the popular pretzels are so good is they are made and served fresh and warm.

    What are the ingredients in Aunty Anne pretzels? ›

    ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), WATER, BROWN SUGAR, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF THE FOLLOWING: DOUGH CONDITIONERS (WHEAT FLOUR, MALT BARLEY FLOUR, ASCORBIC ACID, ENZYMES, SALT, VEGETABLE PROTEIN [CORN-BASED]), YEAST, CALCIUM ...

    Does Auntie Anne's use lye or baking soda? ›

    Well, the cheery ladies were very clear with me: they do NOT use lye. No sodium hydroxide/poison/caustic soda—none whatsoever—in their pretzels. (They do, however, dip their pretzels in a baking soda solution.)

    What is the secret ingredient which makes a pretzel taste like a pretzel? ›

    Pretzels are dipped in food-grade lye before baking. It gives them a characteristic shine and flavor.

    Does Auntie Anne's bake or fry their pretzels? ›

    Products sold at Auntie Anne's franchise locations are baked fresh in-store. In order to provide you with a great Auntie Anne's experience at home, we use the same proprietary blend of flour used in our stores.

    Does Auntie Anne's put butter on their pretzels? ›

    ORIGINAL PRETZEL

    The original twist that started it all; a simple, buttery and salty soft pretzel that is better than the best. Make it vegan by ordering this item without butter.

    What does Auntie Anne's dip their pretzels in? ›

    Choices include Cheese, Hot Salsa Cheese, Sweet Glaze, Caramel, Honey Mustard, Marinara, and Light Cream Cheese.

    Does Shaq own Auntie Anne's pretzels? ›

    Shaq was the franchise owner of 17 Auntie Anne's Pretzels restaurants. This Aunt Anne's investment made him about $300,000. Shaq has recently sold this franchise due to the lack of people not wanting pretzels according to the Earn Your Leisure interview.

    What meat does Auntie Anne's use? ›

    Our classic Auntie Anne's Pretzel dough wrapped around a Nathan's Famous®, all beef hot dog. Individually wrapped and available by the dozen.

    What is a good substitute for lye in pretzels? ›

    That is by taking baking soda, spreading it out on a baking pan and putting it into the oven at about 250-300 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour. That changes the chemical properties in the baking soda to make it behave more similarly to lye.

    What is a substitute for lye in pretzels? ›

    The most benign substitute for lye is baking soda. You'll get a little bit of browning and some chew, but don't expect it to taste very pretzel-y. You can also used baked baking soda, which is a stronger alkali than baking soda but not as caustic as lye.

    Will apple cider vinegar neutralize lye? ›

    The Material Safety Data Sheets for sodium hydroxide (AKA lye) warn against using chemical neutralizing agents to clean up any sort of lye spill. This includes vinegar. It's true that vinegar can neutralize lye, but it generates heat as a by-product. This is called an exothermic reaction.

    What solution do you dip pretzels in? ›

    Dijon mustard or a spicy brown mustard are the typical go-tos, as they add an extra kick to your pretzel snack. However, you can also get the best of both worlds by choosing a cheesy mustard dip. All you need is spicy brown mustard, a cheese spread, and Worcestershire sauce.

    What is the water solution for pretzels? ›

    In a large, wide pot, bring 6 cups water and 2 tablespoons baking soda to a boil. Then, transfer one shaped pretzel to the bath using a slotted spatula and let sit for 1 minute. Then move the pretzel to a cooling rack on top of parchment paper. This allows any excess solution to drip away.

    What is the sodium hydroxide solution for pretzels? ›

    Use around 4% sodium hydroxide in percent of water, so for example 1500g water, 60g sodium hydroxide. One by one, put the rolls and pretzels fully into the solution, for 20 seconds each. I like to keep them in my gloved hands during this time to make it easier to take them out again.

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