How Our Pretzels Are Made

For Almost 100 Years, We’ve Been Making Them The Old-Fashioned Way

At Martin’s Pretzels, we don’t cut corners — we twist them. Made fresh daily in Akron, Pennsylvania, our pretzels follow a time-honored, handmade process using simple ingredients and real craftsmanship. No shortcuts. No mass production. Just authentic pretzels made the way they always have been.

Our team produces over 22,000 pretzels a day, across 7–8 batches. Even at that scale, every pretzel is still made with the same care and attention that built our reputation.

Shop Fresh Pretzels

A Handmade Process You Can Taste

Step-by-Step: From Dough to Pretzel

From mixing to drying, every step is done with purpose. Our process hasn’t changed much over the years — and that’s exactly why customers keep coming back.

Step 1 Mixing the Dough

We start with a simple recipe — flour, water, sourdough starter, salt, and yeast — blended to create the perfect foundation for every batch.

Step 2 Cutting & Preparing

The dough is cut and run through a hand-cranked grinder, creating consistent pieces while keeping the process hands-on.

Step 3 Hand-Twisting Every Pretzel

Each pretzel is rolled and twisted by hand—no automation, just skill and experience shaping every batch.

Step 4 Boiling for Signature Texture

A quick boil locks in that classic pretzel texture and sets the stage for baking.

Step 5 Salting & Oven Loading

Pretzels are salted and carefully flipped into a stone oven using a traditional paddle.

Step 6 Baking to Perfection

They bake for about 10 minutes in a rotating oven, developing their rich color and flavor.

Step 7 Slow Drying Process

Pretzels are dried for an hour at 175°, enhancing flavor and preserving freshness.

Step 8 Packing & Shipping

Once finished, they’re packed and sent to stores and customers across the country.

Fresh. Handmade. Worth the Trip. Come see why generations keep coming back — and taste the difference. Visit the Bakery Today