Pretzels

Freeze in airtight bags or containers. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Keep in an airtight container to maintain crispness. Exposure to air will soften them over time.

Soften stale pretzels by wrapping in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 10–15 seconds.

Crush pretzels for use as a crust for chicken or fish—their salt and crunch add great texture.

Toast pretzels in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to crisp them up before serving.

Storing pretzels in paper bags instead of airtight containers—they'll go stale quickly.

Using stale pretzels in recipes where crunch matters; freshness is key for texture.

Confusing pretzel varieties (soft vs. hard/crispy)—verify which your recipe calls for.