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PRETZEL BITES with CHEDDAR CHEESE SAUCE

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Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce are soft, chewy, and buttery homemade pretzel bites paired with a creamy, sharp cheddar cheese sauce. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or game day treat, these pretzel bites are addictive and easy to make!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2cups(360ml) warm water (110°F/43°C)
  • 2 1/4 tspactive dry yeast (1packet)
  • 1 tbspgranulated sugar
  • 4cups(500g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tspsalt
  • 1/4cup(60g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2/3cup(160g) baking soda
  • 10cups(2.4L) water (for boiling)
  • 1egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • Coarse salt (for sprinkling)
  • 2 tbspunsalted butter
  • 2 tbspall-purpose flour
  • 1cup(240ml) milk
  • 2cups(200g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 tspgarlic powder
  • 1/4 tspmustard powder (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pretzel Dough:In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.Add flour, salt, and melted butter. Mix until a dough forms.Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  3. Add flour, salt, and melted butter. Mix until a dough forms.
  4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
  5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  6. Shape the Pretzel Bites:Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.Punch down the dough and divide it into 4 equal parts.Roll each part into a 12-inch rope and cut each rope into 1-inch pieces to form pretzel bites.
  7. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  8. Punch down the dough and divide it into 4 equal parts.
  9. Roll each part into a 12-inch rope and cut each rope into 1-inch pieces to form pretzel bites.
  10. Boil the Pretzel Bites:In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a boil.Add the pretzel bites in batches, boiling for 20-30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on the prepared baking sheets.
  11. In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a boil.
  12. Add the pretzel bites in batches, boiling for 20-30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on the prepared baking sheets.
  13. Bake the Pretzel Bites:Brush each pretzel bite with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt.Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
  14. Brush each pretzel bite with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt.
  15. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
  16. Make the Cheddar Cheese Sauce:In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.Gradually whisk in the milk and cook until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.Add the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and melted.
  17. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
  18. Gradually whisk in the milk and cook until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  19. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and melted.
  20. Serve:Serve the warm pretzel bites with the hot cheddar cheese sauce for dipping.
  21. Serve the warm pretzel bites with the hot cheddar cheese sauce for dipping.

Notes

Make it spicy:Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce for a kick.
Make ahead:Prepare the pretzel dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Storage:Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Find it online: https://cosycookery.com/pretzel-bites-with-cheddar-cheese-sauce/