Let's be clear. We know that  pretzel buns are all the rage right now and for many, many delicious reasons.  They're nice and soft, like a proper bun should be, but they're also sweet, crunchy, and salty.  Yeah, it's pretty much the perfect burger vehicle, and as summer makes way for fall, we've realized there's only one thing we can find wrong with pretzel buns.

Until now, there hasn't been a gluten-free option. Luckily, we've got a recipe for gluten-free pretzel buns to solve that. So rejoice in the last few days of backyard barbecues under the hot sun, where  gluten eaters and gluten-free alike can finally slap a pretzel bun on the grill, cover it in cheese and meat, and call it a success.

Gluten-Free Pretzel Buns

(by Beth Hillson of Glutino)

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup milk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 cups Gluten-Free Pantry All-Purpose Mix
• 2 ½ tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 (7 gram) packet or 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
• 2 large eggs plus 1 yolk
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• Pretzel salt or coarse ground sea salt, for sprinkling

Directions

1. In the microwave, heat the milk and butter to 110 degrees F. Set aside.
2. Combine the flour mix, and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer or in a mixing bowl. Add the yeast and blend.
3. Add the milk and butter mixture and the eggs and yolk to the flour blend.  Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes.
4. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.  Coat each with PAM vegetable spray. (This prevents the baked rolls from sticking to the paper.)  Turn the dough out onto the parchment and knead until smooth.  Divide into 12 equal pieces.  Using your hands, roll each piece into a ball.  Cover with oiled plastic wrap and let them rest in a warm place for 30 to 40 minutes.
5. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. In a large pot, bring 8 cups water to a boil, and then add the baking soda. In batches, place the dough in the water and cook for 30 seconds on each side.
6. Using a slotted spatula, remove the rolls and place onto the prepared baking sheets. Sprinkle with pretzel salt as they come out of the water, to ensure the salt sticks. Use a sharp knife to cut an “X” shape in the top of each roll.
7. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, turning pans halfway through baking. Serve warm.
8. Reheat in a 350 degree oven for 5 to 7 minutes.

Recipe and Photo by Glutino