The Ballpark Staple Perfect For Topping Your Soup

While the iconic tune "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" advocates for the tastiness of peanuts and cracker jacks, plenty of other ballpark staples are adored by foodies. However, although sunflower seeds and popcorn may be perfect to enjoy while you root for your favorite team, one beloved baseball food pairs well with both the thrill of the game and the creamy taste of soup.

You're probably voting that we mean hot dogs right off the bat. After all, The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council figured fans attending Major League Baseball would down 19.1 million ballpark franks by the end of the 2022 season (per MLive). So it's safe to say hot dogs are a favorite for baseball game snacking. And according to All Recipes, this ballpark treat also has a soup named after it. But while the baseball classic we're referring to is also a salty snack, it's a far cry from weenies striped with ketchup and stuffed in buns. So, then, what is it that will make your soup a home run?

Doughy, gooey, and savory, we could argue that the taste of ballpark pretzels is almost as responsible for packing stadiums as the actual baseball games going on outside the concession stand. And soft pretzels also make a delectable soup topper.

Think of it this way, as ballpark pretzel fans know and Food Network vouches for, this stadium snack tastes delicious when dipped in cheese. So, as Pinch of Yum reports in its recipe for beer cheese soup with soft pretzels, topping off your cheese-heavy soup with this ballpark classic can taste like eating "soft pretzels dipped in queso" with a spoon. But soft pretzels can work with more than just extra cheesy eats. You can forget grilled cheese because this ballpark staple perfectly complements tomato soup. After all, soup connoisseur Campbell's sells a warm tomato dinner with crunchy pretzels. But by adding soft pretzels to your favorite comfort food, you'll be eating tomato soup with a pleasantly chewy texture. However, suppose you're still not sold on combining a summertime baseball snack staple with this iconic wintertime meal. In that case, you should know one culture has long been an active participant in (and an active lover of) the putting soft pretzels in soup party. 

Germany may not be known for the sport, but it loves its soft pretzels just as much as any good Major League Baseball fan. So much so that the country created a pretzel of its very own. Known as the Bavarian pretzel, this German treat resembles the U.S. version, but Smithsonian Magazine reports the German snack is made with lye. This ingredient gives Germany's soft pretzels a crunchy exterior and a warm, soft interior. And aside from being an Oktoberfest staple, Diary of a Mad Hausfrau reports that Germans love to use these soft pretzels to make Bavarian pretzel soup.

The Mad Hausfrau's delectable soup recipe may feature broth, nutmeg, and onions; however, its flavorful star is none other than soft pretzels. So if pretzels and soup are delicious enough to please a country that is seriously invested in food, it will also suit your taste.

And trying out this soup topper for yourself couldn't be easier. All you have to do is buy a pack of soft pretzels and tear them up into small pieces to add an all-new flavor to your cheddar or tomato soup. Then you can enjoy a warm treat suited for Oktoberfest-goers and baseball lovers.