Description
These homemade pretzel bites are soft, chewy, and perfectly seasoned with coarse salt. Paired with a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, they make for an irresistible snack or appetizer that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Pretzel Bites:
- 1 ½ cups lukewarm water
- 2 ¼ tsp instant rise yeast (¼ oz packet)
- 2 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1 egg (beaten)
- ½ tbsp water
- Coarse salt (for sprinkling)
Cheese Sauce:
- 2 ¼ cups whole milk
- ¼ cup salted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups mild cheddar cheese (grated)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp ground mustard powder
Instructions
- Pretzel Bites:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add warm water and instant yeast. Whisk together.
- Add melted butter, brown sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture. Whisk until combined.
- Fit the dough hook on the mixer and turn on low speed. Slowly add in 3 cups of flour, ½ cup at a time, until the mixture is combined and pulling away from the sides. If the dough is sticky, add flour in ¼ cup increments until it’s no longer sticky.
- Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead by hand for 2 minutes, then shape into a ball. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes.
- While the dough rests, bring a large pot of water and baking soda to a boil. Cut the dough into six equal pieces, roll each piece into 1-inch ropes, and cut each rope into 1 ½-inch bites.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Boil each piece of cut dough for 20 seconds, then remove with a slotted spoon and place on the baking sheets, spaced about an inch apart.
- In a small bowl, combine egg and water, and beat together. Brush the egg wash over each pretzel bite and sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Cheese Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add flour and whisk until no lumps remain.
- Increase heat to medium and slowly whisk in the milk. Cook over medium heat, whisking often for about 5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
- Add grated cheese, salt, pepper, and ground mustard. Whisk until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Notes
For a fun twist, try adding spices like garlic powder or paprika to the cheese sauce for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 pretzel bites with cheese sauce
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg