(Soft, salty pretzel bites served with a creamy, melty cheddar cheese sauce—because who can resist this perfect combo of savory, cheesy, doughy goodness?)
Servings: 20-25 pretzel bites
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Total Time: 30-35 minutes
Ingredients
For the Pretzel Bites:
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup baking soda (for boiling the pretzels)
- Coarse sea salt (for topping the pretzel bites)
For the Cheddar Cheese Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk (or 2% if you’re feeling rebellious)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or more, depending on your taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast:
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly. This means the yeast is alive and ready to work its magic!
- Prepare the Dough:
- Add the flour, salt, and softened butter to the yeast mixture. Stir until it forms a dough. You can use a spoon, a stand mixer with a dough hook, or your hands—whichever you prefer!
- Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, one tablespoon at a time.
- Let the Dough Rise:
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare for Boiling:
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add the baking soda to the water (this is the key to getting that perfect pretzel crust!).
- Shape the Pretzel Bites:
- Punch the risen dough down and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into a log about 1-inch thick, then cut the log into bite-sized pieces (about 1-1.5 inches each).
- Carefully drop the dough pieces into the boiling water for 30 seconds. You can do this in batches to avoid overcrowding. After 30 seconds, remove the pretzel bites with a slotted spoon and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the Pretzel Bites:
- Sprinkle the pretzel bites with coarse sea salt, then bake them in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and delicious.
- Make the Cheddar Cheese Sauce:
- While the pretzel bites are baking, prepare the cheddar cheese sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly add the milk while continuing to whisk to prevent lumps. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Continue to stir until the cheese has fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Keep it warm until ready to serve.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Once your pretzel bites are golden brown and the cheese sauce is nice and smooth, serve them up hot! Dunk the soft, salty pretzel bites into the rich, cheesy goodness and enjoy the flavor explosion.
Do’s and Don’ts
DO:
- Make sure the water is really hot when you’re boiling the pretzel bites. It helps to get that perfect crust on the outside.
- Be generous with the coarse sea salt. Pretzels need that salty bite to balance the richness of the cheese sauce.
DON’T:
- Overcrowd the pot when boiling the pretzels. Give each piece enough space to float and expand without sticking together.
- Rush the dough! Let it rise fully for the best texture and flavor.
Pro Tips:
- If you’re short on time, you can use frozen pretzel dough, but there’s nothing quite like fresh, homemade pretzels.
- If you want to get fancy, serve the cheese sauce with a sprinkle of smoked paprika or crushed red pepper flakes for a little kick.
These Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce are the perfect snack or appetizer for any occasion. They’re soft, salty, cheesy, and just plain irresistible. Trust us, these little bites will be gone in seconds—so make extra! 🧀🥨
