Why Make This Recipe
Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce is a fun and delicious snack that’s perfect for game days, movie nights, or any time you’re craving something warm and cheesy. These bite-sized treats are soft, chewy, and pair perfectly with a creamy cheese dip that takes them to the next level. Plus, making them at home is simple and provides the joy of fresh-baked pretzels right from your kitchen!
How to Make Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 package active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
- 3 ounces unsalted butter, melted
- 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 4 ½ to 5 cups all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil
- 3 quarts water
- 1/3 cup baking soda
- 1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water
- Coarse sea salt
- ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ cup milk
- 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated
- Cinnamon and sugar (optional)
- Soft cream cheese (for frosting)
- Powdered sugar (for frosting)
- Vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Milk (for adjusting frosting consistency)
Directions:
- Combine warm water, brown sugar, yeast, and melted butter in the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix with a dough hook until combined and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Add salt and flour, mix on low speed until combined, then increase to medium and knead until smooth, about 3-4 minutes. If too wet, add more flour one tablespoon at a time.
- Remove dough, knead into a ball, and place in an oiled bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Boil 3 quarts of water in a small roasting pan and slowly add baking soda.
- Divide risen dough into 8 pieces, roll each into a 22-inch rope, and cut into 1-inch pieces for pretzel bites.
- Boil pretzel bites in the baking soda water for 30 seconds, then remove with a slotted spoon and place on a greased baking sheet. Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown.
- For cheese sauce, melt butter in a saucepan, add flour, and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in milk, cook until thickened, then stir in Cheddar cheese until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- If making cinnamon-sugar pretzel bites, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar after boiling. For frosting, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to desired consistency.
How to Serve Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce
Serve these pretzel bites warm with the cheese sauce for dipping. They make great appetizers or snacks for gatherings. You can also offer cinnamon-sugar pretzel bites on the side for a sweet option.
How to Store Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through.
Tips to Make Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce
- Make sure your water is warm, but not hot. Hot water can kill the yeast.
- Knead the dough well to develop a good texture.
- Don’t skip the boiling step; this gives pretzels their unique texture.
- Adjust the cheese sauce to your liking, using different cheeses or adding spices.
Variation
You can try adding different spices to the dough for unique flavors, or substitute the cheese sauce with your favorite dipping sauces, like mustard or ranch.
FAQs
1. Can I make the pretzel bites in advance?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to boil and bake them.
2. What can I use instead of Cheddar cheese?
You can use any cheese that melts well, such as Monterey Jack, Swiss, or Gouda.
3. Are these pretzel bites gluten-free?
You can try using a gluten-free all-purpose flour mix, but the texture may vary.
Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
Pretzel Bites
- 1 1/2 cups warm water Make sure it’s warm but not hot.
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 package active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
- 3 ounces unsalted butter, melted
- 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour Add more as needed if the dough is too wet.
- Vegetable oil for greasing bowl
- 3 quarts water For boiling pretzel bites.
- 1/3 cup baking soda
- 1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water For egg wash.
- Coarse sea salt For sprinkling over pretzel bites.
Cheese Sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated You can substitute with other melting cheeses.
Optional Toppings
- Cinnamon and sugar For a sweet topping.
- Soft cream cheese For frosting.
- Powdered sugar For frosting.
- Vanilla extract For frosting.
- Milk For adjusting frosting consistency.
Instructions
Dough Preparation
- Combine warm water, brown sugar, yeast, and melted butter in the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix with a dough hook until combined and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Add salt and flour, mix on low speed until combined, then increase to medium and knead until smooth, about 3-4 minutes. If too wet, add more flour one tablespoon at a time.
- Remove dough, knead into a ball, and place in an oiled bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Boiling and Baking
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Boil 3 quarts of water in a small roasting pan and slowly add baking soda.
- Divide risen dough into 8 pieces, roll each into a 22-inch rope, and cut into 1-inch pieces for pretzel bites.
- Boil pretzel bites in the baking soda water for 30 seconds, then remove with a slotted spoon and place on a greased baking sheet.
- Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown.
Cheese Sauce
- For cheese sauce, melt butter in a saucepan, add flour, and cook for 1 minute.
- Whisk in milk, cook until thickened, then stir in Cheddar cheese until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.