Description
These soft, chewy, golden-brown pretzels are easy to make and perfectly paired with a creamy, gooey cheese dip. A homemade snack favorite, great for game nights, parties, or just indulging in a classic comfort food!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (100g) shredded cheddar cheese (or a mix of cheddar & mozzarella)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp mustard powder (optional, for depth of flavor)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Make the Pretzel Dough
- In a bowl, mix flour, yeast, salt, and sugar.
- Add warm water and melted butter, stirring until a dough forms.
- Knead for 5-7 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Cover and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Shape & Boil the Pretzels
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Divide dough into 8 pieces, rolling each into a 24-inch rope.
- Shape into a pretzel twist or knots.
- Bring 5 cups of water to a boil and add ¼ cup baking soda.
- Dip each pretzel into the baking soda bath for 30 seconds, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake the Pretzels
- Brush each pretzel with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.
4. Make the Cheese Dip
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in milk, stirring until smooth.
- Add cheddar cheese, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir until melted and creamy.
5. Serve & Enjoy
- Serve pretzels warm with cheese dip on the side.
Notes
- Want a crispier crust? Bake pretzels for an extra 2-3 minutes.
- Try different cheeses: Use pepper jack for spice or gouda for extra creaminess.
- Storage: Keep pretzels in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes.