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4.8 from 15 votes

Bacon Jalapeno Popper Pretzel Bites

You're gonna love this ultimate appetizer! Bacon Jalapeno Popper Pretzel Bites are filled with gooey cheese, crispy bacon, and jalapeño peppers for the best party bite!

Prep Time
1 hr 5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings: 36 bites
Calories: 114 kcal
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Dough
  • 12 ounces warm water 110°-120°
  • 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting counter
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for pretzel tops
Jalapeno Popper Bites
  • 8 lices Bacon cooked and chopped into bite-size pieces
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 8 ounces shredded Mexican cheese blend (or cheddar cheese)
  • 3 jalapeños seeded ans diced
Water Bath
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  2. Pour warm water into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, stir in yeast packet and sugar. Allow yeast to bloom for 5-10 minutes. Once it's foamy on top, you're ready to continue. (It should look like the 'head' of a beer poured too quickly and smells yeasty.)
  3. Add flour and salt to stand mixer. Knead for 3-5 minutes until the dough comes together in a ball. If the dough is sticky, add more flour a tablespoon at a time. The dough should be tacky, but not sticky when you take it out of the mixer. Place dough on floured counter top and knead in flour for a minute or two until it's no longer tacky. Form dough into a ball.
  4.  To make 36 fairly even pieces for stuffing, cut dough ball into quarters using a pastry cutter or butter knife. Roll each quarter into a thick log and cut that into 3 pieces. Roll each of those pieces into a log and cut into 3 more pieces.  When you are done you will have a total of 36 pieces.
  5. In a medium bowl, mix together cheeses, bacon, and jalapeños until completely combined. Divide the cheese mixture into scant 1 tablespoon portions. Form each portion into a tater tot shape.
  6. Roll each piece of dough into a ball and then flatten into a rectangular shape.  place one cheese mixture portion in the center of the dough. Carefully pull the sides of dough over the cheese and pinch edges closed. Form the dough into a rectangular-ish bite shape. Repeat until all 36 bites are stuffed and shaped.
  7. Bring water to a simmer in a medium pot. Once hot add the baking soda (the water will foam up, it's okay). Add 4-6 pretzel bites to the water at a time. Boil for 30 seconds being sure to turn the bites so all sides are coated. Remove to the prepared baking sheets. Repeat until all pretzels have been boiled. Arrange pretzel bites so they are not touching, then sprinkle with kosher salt.
  8. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until the bites are golden brown. (Some of the filling may ooze out a bit during baking.) Carefully remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • If fresh jalapenos are not available, you can substitute one 4-ounce can of diced jalapenos.

Nutrition Information

Calories 114kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 10g (3%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 16mg (5%) Sodium 345mg (14%) Potassium 46mg (1%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 140IU (3%) Vitamin C 1.4mg (2%) Calcium 51mg (5%) Iron 0.7mg (4%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 36bites

Amount Per Serving

Calories 114

% Daily Value*

Calories 114kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 10g 3%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 16mg 5%
Sodium 345mg 14%
Potassium 46mg 1%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 140IU 3%
Vitamin C 1.4mg 2%
Calcium 51mg 5%
Iron 0.7mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.