Bavarian Breakfast

A traditional Bavarian breakfast of soft pretzels, Weißwurst sausages, sweet mustard, and wheat beer — the perfect way to start your Oktoberfest celebration.

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Prep Time 1 15

Cook Time 25

Ingredients

For the Pretzels (makes ~6 large):

4 cups 500 g bread flour
1 ½ tsp salt
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 ¼ tsp 1 packet instant yeast
1 ½ cups warm water
2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
⅔ cup baking soda for water bath
Coarse salt for topping

For the Weißwurst:

4 –6 pre-bought Weißwurst sausages Bavarian style
For Serving:
Sweet Bavarian mustard Süßer Senf
1 –2 wheat beers Weißbier/Hefeweizen

Instructions

Make the Pretzel Dough

Mix warm water, sugar, and yeast in a bowl and let sit until foamy (5 minutes). Add flour, salt, and melted butter. Knead until smooth and elastic (8–10 minutes by hand or 5 with a mixer). Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (about 1 hour).

Shape the Pretzels

Punch down dough and divide into 6 pieces. Roll each into a 20-inch rope, form a U shape, twist ends twice, and press down into a pretzel shape.

Prepare the Baking Soda Bath

Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Bring 10 cups of water and ⅔ cup baking soda to a boil. Dip each pretzel for 30 seconds, then place on lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse salt.

Bake

Bake pretzels for 12–15 minutes until deep golden brown.

Cook the Weißwurst

Bring a pot of water to a gentle simmer (~160–170°F). Add Weißwurst and heat for 10–12 minutes. Serve sausages in a bowl of hot water so guests can peel them at the table.

Serve the Bavarian Breakfast

On a wooden board, serve warm pretzels with 1–2 Weißwurst sausages, a spoonful of sweet mustard, and a tall glass of wheat beer.

Video

Notes

Don’t boil the Weißwurst: Keep the water just below a boil (around 160–170°F). If the sausages boil, the casing may split and the texture will suffer.

Eat before noon: Traditionally, Weißwurst is only eaten in the morning. While you can serve it anytime at home, sticking to the custom gives the meal authentic Bavarian flair.

Pretzel shortcut: If you don’t have time to make pretzels from scratch, a good-quality bakery pretzel works just as well — but making them yourself gives you that true Oktoberfest feel.