Description
Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Sauce are golden, perfectly salted mini pretzels paired with a creamy cheddar dip. This recipe is great for any gathering, game day, or just a cozy snack. It’s quick to make, packed with flavor, and offers an irresistible combination of fluffy pretzels and smooth cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Pretzel Bites:
- 1 ½ cups lukewarm water
- 2 ¼ tsp instant rise yeast (¼ oz packet)
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup baking soda (for boiling water)
- 1 egg, beaten
- ½ tbsp water (for egg wash)
- Coarse salt, for sprinkling
Cheddar Cheese Sauce:
- 2 ¼ cups whole milk
- ¼ cup salted butter
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups grated mild cheddar cheese
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp ground mustard powder
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: In a stand mixer, combine lukewarm water and yeast; whisk until dissolved. Add melted butter, brown sugar, and salt. Slowly add 3 cups of flour, mixing until dough pulls from the bowl sides. Add more flour if dough remains sticky.
- Knead and Rest: Knead dough on a floured surface for 2 minutes, then form a ball. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Shape Pretzel Bites: Bring a large pot of water and baking soda to a boil. Divide dough into six pieces, roll each into a 1-inch rope, and cut into 1½-inch bites.
- Boil and Bake: Preheat oven to 425°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Boil dough bites for 20 seconds, then place on sheets. Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with salt, and bake for 12–15 minutes.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Slowly whisk in milk, cooking until thickened. Add cheese, salt, pepper, and mustard powder, whisking until smooth. Serve warm.
Notes
- For best results, don’t over-boil the pretzel bites, as this can cause them to become dense.
- If the cheese sauce thickens too much, add a bit of milk to thin it out.
- Pretzel bites are best served warm and fresh.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking, Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 5 pretzel bites with cheese sauce)
- Calories: 399 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 64 mg