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
Units
Scale
For the Pretzel Bites:
- 1 1/2 cups (360ml) warm water (110°F/43°C)
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 4 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2/3 cup (160g) baking soda
- 10 cups (2.4L) water (for boiling)
For Topping:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse salt (for sprinkling)
For the Cheddar Cheese Sauce:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240ml) milk
- 2 cups (200g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp mustard 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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Serve:
- 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.