Chinese Pretzel Recipe: Light, Airy, and Crunchy Cookies!
Crunchy Chinese pretzels have been my favorite snacks since I was a kid. Unlike many savory snacks, these deep-fried cookies can be made quickly and stored for a few days. Whether you have a craving for a quick munch or want something for your movie nights, these Chinese pretzels are just on point.
Follow this Chinese pretzel recipe to make crispy cookies that are airy and flavorful. I will also include the nutritional value of these cookies so that you can regulate your sugar or fat intake. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Chinese Pretzel Recipe Overview
From start to finish, Chinese pretzels are going to take about 15 minutes or so. See the following chart to get a quick overview.
| Cuisine: Chinese | Difficulty: Easy | ||
| Total Time: 15 minutes | |||
| Serving | Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Calories |
| 4 persons | 10 minutes | 5 minutes | 130 kcal |
Ingredients Needed for Chinese Pretzel Recipe
I added a touch of twist to the ingredients to make the pretzels much tastier. Here are the ingredients you will need to make this recipe.
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- Rice Flour: 120g. Wheat flour will also do the job but rice flour makes the pretzels crispier.
- Corn Flour: 60g. It adds a bit of crunch.
- Coconut Milk: 200ml. You can use regular milk as well but coconut milk adds a nice flavor to the pretzels.
- Sugar: 100g
- Egg: 2 pcs
- Sesame Seed: 1 tsp. This is optional.
- Salt: ½ tsp. You can adjust its amount based on your taste.
Oh! Don’t forget the pretzel mold. You will find molds in nearby shops. Use different shapes of molds to bring variation to the cookies.
Chinese Pretzel Recipe: Step-By-Step Instructions
Once all the ingredients are organized, start by making the batter for the cookies. Here are the detailed steps.
Step 1: Beat the Eggs
I will use both the yolk and the egg white for this recipe. Take the cracked eggs in a medium bowl and beat them for a few minutes. Add ½ tsp salt and beat again.
Step 2: Mix in the Sugar and the Milk
Add 100g of sugar to the bowl. Then, pour 200ml of coconut milk and mix with the other ingredients. You can also use an electric whisk to reduce the manual labor.
Step 3: Add Corn Flour and Rice Flour
Once the egg mixture is a bit foamy, add the corn flour and the rice flour to the mixture. Gently fold the mixture so that there are no lumps in it. The batter should have a medium consistency so that a thin layer of the batter sticks to a spoon.
Step 4: Strain the Batter
You should pass the batter through a sieve to make sure there are no granules or lumps. Repeat this step to make the batter super smooth. Finally, add some sesame seeds to the batter.
Step 5: Heat Oil and the Mold
Put oil in a pan over low heat and let the oil heat up. The ideal oil temperature should be about 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Put the mold in the hot oil for some time.
Step 6: Dip the Hot Mold in the Batter
Take the hot mold out of the oil and press it on an absorbent kitchen towel. Then, dip the mold in the batter. Remember, you shouldn’t submerge the mold all the way. The batter should cover about halfway to the top.
Step 7: Put the Batter in the Oil
Shake the mold a bit to drop the excess batter off. Then, quickly put the mold in the oil and hold it there for about 10 seconds. Shake the mold lightly again and the pretzel will come off. Fry the pretzel on both sides for about one minute or until both sides become golden brown.
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Step 8: Serve with Your Favorite Toppings
You can eat the pretzel as it is. I like to sprinkle some caster sugar or cinnamon sugar on top to enhance the flavor. Melted chocolate is also a good topping for these pretzels.
Nutrition Facts of Chinese Pretzel Recipe
As these pretzels are deep-fried, I don’t recommend eating a lot of pretzels in one go. Scatter them throughout the week so that your calorie intake is within the limit.
- Total Carbohydrates: 22g
- Protein: 3g
- Total Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Total Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Total Sugar: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 40mg
- Potassium: 36mg
- Calcium: 0mg
- Iron: 0mg
- Vitamin A: 0IU
- Vitamin C: 0mg
Chinese Pretzel Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- I will use both the yolk and the egg white for this recipe. Take the cracked eggs in a medium bowl and beat them for a few minutes. Add ½ tsp salt and beat again.
- Add 100g of sugar to the bowl. Then, pour 200ml of coconut milk and mix with the other ingredients. You can also use an electric whisk to reduce the manual labor.
- Once the egg mixture is a bit foamy, add the corn flour and the rice flour to the mixture. Gently fold the mixture so that there are no lumps in it. The batter should have a medium consistency so that a thin layer of the batter sticks to a spoon.
- You should pass the batter through a sieve to make sure there are no granules or lumps. Repeat this step to make the batter super smooth. Finally, add some sesame seeds to the batter.
- Put oil in a pan over low heat and let the oil heat up. The ideal oil temperature should be about 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Put the mold in the hot oil for some time.
- Take the hot mold out of the oil and press it on an absorbent kitchen towel. Then, dip the mold in the batter. Remember, you shouldn’t submerge the mold all the way. The batter should cover about halfway to the top.
- Shake the mold a bit to drop the excess batter off. Then, quickly put the mold in the oil and hold it there for about 10 seconds. Shake the mold lightly again and the pretzel will come off. Fry the pretzel on both sides for about one minute or until both sides become golden brown.
- You can eat the pretzel as it is. I like to sprinkle some caster sugar or cinnamon sugar on top to enhance the flavor. Melted chocolate is also a good topping for these pretzels.
FAQs
I commonly see people asking the following questions about the Chinese pretzel recipe. So, here are my answers.
How is the dough for Chinese pretzels traditionally prepared and kneaded?
The dough for Chinese pretzels is more of a batter. So, it doesn’t require any kneading. Instead, you need to mix eggs, sugar, and coconut milk first. Dry ingredients, such as rice flour and corn flour are then mixed with the wet ingredients.
Can Chinese pretzels be made with alternative flour or gluten-free options?
Of course. You can avoid wheat or rice flour if you maintain a gluten-free diet. There are multiple gluten-free options, such as almond flour, sorghum four, oat flour, buckwheat flour, etc. Brown rice flour, garbanzo bean flour, or green pea flour are also gluten-free.
Are there specific shapes or designs that Chinese pretzels are traditionally formed into?
Yes. Chinese pretzels are mostly formed into shapes like flowers, stars, snowflakes, or Christmas trees. Differently shaped metal molds are easily available.
Are there any alternative names for Chinese pretzels?
Yes. Chinese pretzels are alternatively known as rosette cookies. The metal mold used to make these cookies is called rosette irons.
How long can I store Chinese pretzels?
If you store Chinese pretzels in an airtight container, they will remain crispy for about one week.
Conclusion
Light, airy, and crispy Chinese pretzels are one of the best afternoon snacks. Making these pretzels is not only easy but also much fun. I love hearing the batter sizzle while dipping the mold into the batter.
This Chinese pretzel recipe will help you make these delicious and crunchy cookies in a very short time. Try it yourself and watch these cookies become your favorite snacks.
