Description
These homemade Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce are a delightful snack featuring soft, golden pretzel pieces boiled in baking soda water for the perfect texture, then baked to a beautiful golden finish. Served with a rich, creamy cheddar cheese sauce, this recipe offers a satisfying combination of flavors and textures, perfect for parties, game days, or cozy evenings at home.
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)
Cheddar 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
- Activate yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, add warm water and instant yeast. Whisk together until combined.
- Add wet and dry ingredients: Add melted butter, brown sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture. Whisk until everything is well combined.
- Mix dough: 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 pulls away from the sides. If the dough remains sticky, continue adding flour in ¼ cup increments until no longer sticky.
- Knead dough: Transfer the dough to 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.
- Prepare for boiling: While the dough rests, bring a large pot of water and baking soda to a rolling boil. Meanwhile, cut the dough into six equal pieces, roll each piece into 1-inch ropes, and cut into 1 ½-inch bites.
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Boil pretzel bites: Boil each pretzel bite in the baking soda water for 20 seconds, then remove with a slotted spoon and place on the baking sheets about one inch apart.
- Apply egg wash and salt: In a small bowl, combine the beaten egg and water to create an egg wash. Brush each pretzel bite with egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse salt.
- Bake pretzel bites: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the pretzel bites are beautifully golden brown.
- Make cheese sauce base: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add flour and whisk continuously until no lumps remain, forming a smooth roux.
- Add milk and thicken sauce: Increase the heat to medium and slowly whisk in the milk. Cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens to a creamy sauce consistency.
- Incorporate cheese and seasonings: Add grated cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and ground mustard powder to the sauce. Whisk until smooth and fully combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Notes
- Ensure water is lukewarm (about 100-110°F) to properly activate the yeast.
- Boiling pretzel bites in baking soda water gives them their classic chewy pretzel crust.
- You can substitute mild cheddar with sharp cheddar for stronger flavor.
- To keep pretzels soft after baking, store in an airtight container shortly after cooling.
- The cheese sauce can be kept warm over low heat; stir occasionally to prevent skin forming.
