Pretzel Bites & Cheese Sauce
Soft Pretzel Perfection: Dip into Deliciousness with Homemade Pretzel Bites & Cheese Sauce!
Craving that warm, salty pretzel goodness dipped in creamy, cheesy heaven? Look no further! This recipe unlocks the secrets to homemade pretzel bites that are crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and perfectly paired with a rich and flavorful cheese sauce.
These bite-sized delights are perfect for:
- A fun and interactive appetizer for your next gathering.
- A satisfying after-school snack for the kids (or yourself!).
- A movie night treat that will leave everyone wanting more.
Ditch the store-bought and embrace the pretzel magic! Continue reading for the recipe below and get ready to experience the joy of homemade pretzel bites and cheese sauce in every bite.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 dozen bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
Ingredients
Ingredients for Pretzels:
- 1 1/2 c warm water
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 pkg active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)
- 3 oz butter, melted
- 2 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 1/2–5 c all purpose flour
- vegetable oil
- 3 quarts water
- 1/3 c baking soda (for boiling the pretzels)
- 1 whole egg beaten with 1 Tbsp cold water
- coarse sea salt
Ingredients for Cheese Sauce:
- 1 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
Instructions
-
Prepare the Dough:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 1 ½ cups water, sugar, yeast, and butter.
- Mix with the dough hook until combined.
- Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
- Add salt and flour to the bowl and mix on low speed until incorporated.
- Increase speed to medium and knead until dough is smooth and elastic, pulling away from the bowl sides (about 3-4 minutes).
- If dough is too wet, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Remove dough, knead into a ball by hand.
-
First Rise:
- Lightly oil a bowl.
- Place dough in bowl, turning to coat with oil.
- Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel.
- Place in a warm spot and let rise until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
-
Shape and Boil:
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Bring 3 quarts water to a boil in a small roasting pan.
- Carefully add baking soda (it will boil vigorously).
- Divide dough into 8 equal pieces (about 4 ¼ – 4 ½ ounces each).
- Roll each piece into a 22-inch rope.
- Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces.
- Boil pretzel bites in batches (about 15 at a time) for 30 seconds.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray, ensuring they don’t touch.
-
Bake and Finish:
- Brush pretzel bites with egg wash and season generously with salt.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden brown.
- Let rest on a baking rack for 5 minutes before serving.
Cheese Sauce
-
Melt Butter and Flour:
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute to form a paste.
-
Add Milk and Cook:
- Gradually whisk in milk.
- Cook uncovered, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens.
-
Stir in Cheese:
- Remove from heat.
- Whisk in cheddar cheese and salt until smooth and melted.
- Serve immediately. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Keywords: Pretzel, Soft Pretzel, Cheese Sauce, Bites
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