Method for mechanical pretzel production

A method for machine production of pretzels, comprising the following features:

• gripping the central area of the strands of dough with a shaping unit of a pretzel shaping and looping device (1), which receives strands of dough by means of a feed mechanism, wherein the central area of the strand of dough (8) is wrapped around a plurality of bolt-type shaping elements (2) of the shaping unit that are adjustable in height;
• gripping the ends (5) of the dough by means of at least one gripping unit (3) which is equipped with grippers (4) and stretching the strand of dough (8) by pulling on the ends (5) of the strand of dough, while at the same time securing the central area of the strand of dough (8) by the shaping unit, and
• shaping a pretzel knot by means of a mutual rotation of the grippers (4), characterized in that
• the shaping of the pretzel knot is initiated by rotation of the grippers (4) already during the stretching of the strand of dough (8), wherein in initiation of the shaping of the pretzel knot, the ends (5) of the strand of dough that are already under tension are crossed in such a way that the point of intersection (K) of the ends (5) of the strand of dough is no higher than or insignificantly higher than the projecting height (H) of the shaping elements (2) above the dough supporting surface.