Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce
User Reviews
5
Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce
Description
Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce combines classic pretzel dough techniques and a creamy cheddar-based dip. The dough, enriched with melted butter and brown sugar, is kneaded and rested before shaping into bite-sized pieces. Boiling the bites briefly in a baking soda bath creates the signature pretzel texture and crust. Baking finishes the bites with a golden hue and chewy interior. The cheese sauce complements them with rich, melted cheddar and a hint of smoked paprika for mild warmth.
The baking soda bath is key to achieving the traditional pretzel flavor and crust. The coarse sea salt adds a pleasant crunch and saltiness on the surface. The dipping cheese sauce’s smooth texture and gentle smoky note further enhance the flavor experience. These bites are great for sharing and pair well with casual gatherings or game day snacks.
The recipe does not include storage instructions or alternative variations, so serving fresh is advisable. Allowing the dough to rest ensures the right texture before baking, and careful boiling prevents oversoftening.
Ingredients
Soft Pretzel Bites
- 1 ½ cups water warm
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons butter melted, unsalted
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1 egg large
- sea salt coarse, or pretzel salt
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk whole
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese , finely grated
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt optional depending on saltiness of cheese, coarse
Instructions
Homemade Pretzel Bites:
- Mix the warm water, brown sugar, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Let sit for a minute or two. If you are using active yeast instead of instant yeast, let the mixture sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture starts to bloom and becomes fragrant. Add the flour and melted butter to the bowl.
- Mix with a wooden spoon as much as you can. Then, use your hands to knead the dough until a smooth even mixture remains.
- Place in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 20-30 minutes.
- Once the dough has risen, turn out of the bowl and cut into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into about an 18 inch tube. Cut each tube into 1.5 inch pieces and lay the pieces on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Preheat the oven to 450°F and bring a large pot of water to a boil with the ½ cup of baking soda.
- Once the water is boiling, boil the soft pretzel bites in small batches for 10 seconds each. Remove the bites from the boiling water with a slotted spoon.
- Arrange the boiled bites on a parchment lined baking sheet with a little bit of space between each bite. Beat the large egg and brush the bites with the egg and top with coarse salt.
- Reduce heat as soon as you put the pretzels in the oven and bake the pretzel bites at 350°F for 12 minutes each - bake in batches one sheet pan at a time and make sure not to crowd the pan.
- If you are working in batches, reheat the oven to 450°F and reduce each time you add a new batch.
Cheese Sauce:
- Heat butter in a saucepan over medium low. Add flour to the warm butter and mix until a smooth paste is formed.
- Pour milk into the pan in small batches whisking constantly as you pour in the milk.
- Turn the heat off and add the cheese to the pan and mixing constantly until the cheese is melted.
- Mix in the salt, if needed, and smoked paprika and serve while hot.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 75pretzel bites
Amount Per Serving
Calories 48 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 48kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 7mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 310mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 19mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 61IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 28mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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