In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Ensuring an even distribution of the dry ingredients is important for consistent flavor throughout the dough.
Add the dry yeast to the lukewarm water, stir, and let it stand for 5 minutes to activate. The yeast should become foamy, indicating it's active.
Pour the yeast mixture and olive oil into the flour mixture, and begin mixing with a wooden spoon, then knead by hand until a smooth, elastic dough forms. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Tip: If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour.
Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size. This process will make the dough more airy.
While the dough is rising, bring 1 liter of water to a boil in a large pot and stir in the baking soda. This will give the pretzels their characteristic outer crust.
Once the dough has risen, divide it into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a long rope, then twist it into a pretzel shape. Don't worry if you don't get it right the first time – practice makes perfect!
Carefully place the pretzels one at a time into the boiling baking soda water, boil them for 30 seconds, then remove and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This step helps to create a crispy crust during baking.
Sprinkle the tops of the pretzels with coarse salt. If desired, you can also use poppy seeds or sesame seeds.
Bake the pretzels in a preheated oven at 430°F (220°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until they are a nice golden brown color. Keep an eye on them, as they bake quickly!
Let the pretzels cool on a wire rack for a few minutes, then serve them fresh, perhaps with mustard or vegan cheese sauce!
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