Description
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Brush each pretzel bite with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- 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.
- 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.
- Serve:Serve the warm pretzel bites with the hot cheddar cheese sauce for dipping.
- 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.