Description
These homemade Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce are soft, chewy, and perfectly golden, offering a delightful snack or appetizer. The dough is boiled briefly in a baking soda solution to create that signature pretzel crust, then baked to perfection. Served warm with a creamy, tangy cheddar cheese sauce, they are sure to impress and satisfy any craving.
Ingredients
Scale
Pretzel Bites Dough
- 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 lukewarm water and instant yeast, whisking together until combined and the yeast starts to activate.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add melted butter, brown sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture and whisk until fully combined.
- Add Flour and Form Dough: Attach the dough hook to the mixer and on low speed, slowly add 3 cups of flour in increments of ½ cup until mixture is combined and pulling away from the bowl. Add additional flour ¼ cup at a time if dough remains sticky until it is manageable.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for 2 minutes. Shape into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Prepare Baking Soda Bath and Cut Dough: Bring a large pot of water and baking soda to a rolling boil. Meanwhile, cut the rested dough into six equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 1-inch thick rope and cut into 1 ½-inch pretzel bites.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for baking.
- 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 prepared baking sheets, spacing about an inch apart.
- Apply Egg Wash and Salt: In a small bowl, beat together the egg and water. Brush this egg wash onto each pretzel bite and sprinkle with coarse salt to create a beautiful crust.
- Bake Pretzel Bites: Bake the pretzel bites for 12 to 15 minutes or until they turn golden brown and develop a firm crust.
- Make Cheese Sauce – Melt Butter and Add Flour: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the salted butter. Once melted, whisk in the flour and stir continuously until no lumps remain, forming a roux.
- Thicken Sauce with Milk: Slowly add the milk to the roux, increasing the heat to medium. Whisk often for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Add Cheese and Seasonings: Stir in grated cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and ground mustard powder. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and cheese is completely melted. Adjust seasoning as desired.
Notes
- Make sure the water for activating yeast is lukewarm to ensure proper yeast activation.
- The baking soda bath is crucial for creating the characteristic pretzel crust and flavor.
- Use mild cheddar for a smooth, creamy cheese sauce, but sharper cheddar can be used for a more intense flavor if preferred.
- Egg wash enhances color and texture—do not skip this step.
- Serve pretzel bites warm with cheese sauce for the best taste and texture.
- Leftover pretzel bites can be reheated in a toaster oven to restore crispness.
