In a large bowl, combine the yeast, water and sugar.

Stir in flour and salt and knead until smooth by hand.

Grease another bowl with oil and place dough in bowl.

Cover with greased plastic wrap let rise for 30 minutes in a warm place. I used the proof option on my oven, if you have that.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line 2-baking sheets with parchment paper.

Divide the dough into 8 equal parts and roll each into a long skinny rope!

Then shape into a pretzel.

In a bowl, mix water and baking soda.

Carefully dunk each pretzel into this mixture and lay on parchment.

Sprinkle with salt and let dough rest 10 mins.

Bake 10 minutes and then brush with melted butter-add more salt, too if desired and bake an additional 5 minutes.

Brush each hot baked pretzel with a little more melted butter right out of the oven!