If you are looking for a fun and irresistible snack to share with friends or enjoy any time of day, this Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce Recipe delivers that warm, comforting, and cheesy goodness everyone loves. Soft, golden-brown pretzel bites paired with a creamy, sharp cheddar cheese sauce create a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Whether you’re hosting a game day or just craving something homemade and satisfying, this recipe is sure to become one of your absolute favorites, bringing a little magic to your kitchen with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce Recipe uses simple, everyday ingredients that come together to create extraordinary taste and texture. Each component plays a crucial role — from the yeasty softness of the pretzel dough to the richness and tang of the cheddar cheese sauce, every element complements the other beautifully.
- Lukewarm water (1 ½ cups): The ideal temperature to activate yeast perfectly for that soft dough.
- Instant rise yeast (2 ¼ tsp): The magic that makes the dough rise quickly and become fluffy.
- Butter, melted (2 tbsp): Adds richness and softness to the dough.
- Brown sugar (1 tbsp): Provides just a touch of sweetness to balance the savory pretzel flavor.
- Salt (1 tsp): Enhances the overall flavor of the dough and the cheese sauce.
- All-purpose flour (4 cups): Forms the dough’s structure, ensuring a chewy, tender bite.
- Baking soda (½ cup): Crucial for that classic pretzel crust, used in the boiling water bath.
- Egg (1, beaten) and water (½ tbsp): Creates a glossy, golden brown exterior when brushed on the pretzels.
- Coarse salt: Sprinkled on top to give pretzel bites that perfect salty crunch.
- Whole milk (2 ¼ cups): The creamy base for the cheese sauce.
- Salted butter (¼ cup): Adds smoothness and flavor to the cheese sauce.
- All-purpose flour (¼ cup): Thickens the cheddar cheese sauce for that luscious consistency.
- Mild cheddar cheese, grated (2 cups): The star ingredient that makes the cheese sauce irresistible.
- Salt (¼ tsp), pepper (¼ tsp), and ground mustard powder (¼ tsp): Season the cheese sauce with subtle layers of flavor.
How to Make Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by whisking together the lukewarm water and instant yeast in the bowl of your stand mixer. This step wakes up the yeast and sets the foundation for soft, airy pretzel bites that practically melt in your mouth.
Step 2: Add Butter, Sugar, and Salt
Next, whisk in the melted butter, brown sugar, and salt until everything is well combined. Each of these ingredients adds a little extra flavor and helps the dough develop rich tenderness.
Step 3: Mix in the Flour
Attach your dough hook and begin adding 3 cups of all-purpose flour slowly, about half a cup at a time, on low speed. When the dough starts pulling away from the sides of the bowl, check its consistency; if sticky, add more flour in smaller increments until the dough isn’t sticky but still soft and elastic.
Step 4: Knead and Rest the Dough
Transfer your dough to a floured surface and knead by hand for a couple of minutes before shaping it into a ball. Let it rest covered in a greased bowl for 10 minutes. This brief rest relaxes the gluten and helps the dough become easier to work with.
Step 5: Prepare the Dough Pieces
While your dough rests, bring a pot of water mixed with baking soda to a boil — this will give your pretzels their classic chewy crust. Cut the dough into six equal pieces, roll each into 1-inch thick ropes, then cut into 1 ½-inch pretzel bites that are just the right size for snacking.
Step 6: Preheat and Line Baking Sheets
Set your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and prep two baking sheets lined with parchment paper. This helps with even cooking and easy clean-up.
Step 7: Boil the Pretzel Bites
Boil each pretzel bite for 20 seconds in the baking soda water, then remove with a slotted spoon and place them evenly spaced on the baking sheets. This step is what gives pretzels their distinctive texture and flavor.
Step 8: Egg Wash and Salt
Mix the egg with water and brush this glaze over every pretzel bite to ensure they turn that perfect golden color in the oven. Then sprinkle generously with coarse salt for an addictive salty crunch.
Step 9: Bake Until Golden
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until your pretzel bites have puffed up and turned a beautiful golden brown. The aroma alone is worth the wait!
Step 10: Make the Cheddar Cheese Sauce
In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter gently before whisking in flour to form a smooth roux. This creates the creamy base for your sauce.
Step 11: Add Milk and Thicken
Gradually whisk in milk and keep stirring over medium heat for about five minutes as the sauce thickens to velvety perfection. This slow process prevents lumps and gives the sauce a luscious texture.
Step 12: Add Cheese and Seasonings
Finally, stir in plenty of grated cheddar along with salt, pepper, and a touch of ground mustard powder for an extra burst of flavor. Whisk until silky smooth, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed.
How to Serve Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, sprinkle chopped fresh chives or parsley over the cheese sauce—it adds a pop of color and fresh herbal brightness that balances the richness wonderfully.
Side Dishes
Pretzel bites with cheddar cheese sauce pair beautifully with a chilled beer, a crisp garden salad, or tangy pickles. These side options add refreshing or contrasting notes to your snack experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the pretzel bites in a rustic wooden bowl alongside small ramekins of different dips such as spicy mustard or a smoky barbecue sauce. Layer the cheese sauce in a small fondue pot to keep it warm and interactive for dipping fun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The cheddar cheese sauce should be kept refrigerated separately in a sealed jar for up to three days.
Freezing
You can freeze uncooked pretzel bites by placing them in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until firm, then transferring to a freezer bag. Cheese sauce can be frozen too, but it may separate slightly when thawed—give it a good whisk when reheating.
Reheating
Reheat pretzel bites in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5-7 minutes to regain their fresh-baked crispiness. Warm the cheese sauce gently on the stovetop or microwave, stirring often to restore smoothness.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese for the sauce?
Absolutely! While mild cheddar is perfect for its creamy melt and classic flavor, sharp cheddar, gouda, or a blend can add a wonderful twist to your cheese sauce.
Do I need a stand mixer to make this recipe?
Not at all. You can mix and knead the dough by hand if you prefer. Just be prepared for a bit more elbow grease and take your time to develop the dough’s texture.
Why do we boil the pretzel bites in baking soda water before baking?
This step creates the pretzel’s signature chewy crust and deep brown color by altering the dough’s surface, which also gives that slight savory bite.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Traditional pretzel dough relies on gluten for its structure, so you would need a specially formulated gluten-free flour blend and possibly additional binding agents. It requires some experimentation but is possible!
Is the cheese sauce suitable for kids?
Definitely! The cheddar cheese sauce is mild and creamy, perfect for young taste buds. Just watch the seasoning levels and you can reduce mustard powder if you want.
Final Thoughts
This Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce Recipe is such a joy to make and share. It’s a snack that feels cozy and special, and once you taste that warm, cheesy dip paired with soft pretzel perfection, you’ll want to make it again and again. Gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and treat yourself to a homemade snack experience that’s sure to bring smiles all around.
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Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (4-6 servings as snack portions)
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious homemade pretzel bites served with a creamy cheddar cheese sauce. This recipe features soft, chewy pretzels boiled in baking soda water for the perfect texture, baked until golden, and paired with a rich, flavorful cheese dip that’s perfect for snacking or entertaining.
Ingredients
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, whisk together lukewarm water and instant yeast until combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add melted butter, brown sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture, whisking until well blended.
- Add Flour: Attach dough hook to the mixer, turn on low speed, and gradually add 3 cups of flour in ½ cup increments, mixing until dough pulls away from the bowl sides. Add additional flour ¼ cup at a time if dough is sticky, until no longer sticky.
- Knead Dough: Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead by hand for 2 minutes. Shape into a ball, place in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Prepare Baking Soda Water: While dough rests, bring a large pot of water and ½ cup baking soda to a boil.
- Shape Pretzel Bites: Cut the dough into six equal pieces. Roll each piece into 1-inch thick ropes, then slice each rope into 1 ½-inch bites.
- Boil Pretzel Bites: Boil each piece of dough for 20 seconds in the baking soda water, then remove with a slotted spoon and place on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing about an inch apart.
- Prepare Egg Wash and Bake: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). In a small bowl, beat the egg with ½ tbsp water. Brush the egg wash over each pretzel bite and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Make Cheese Sauce – Melt Butter and Flour: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add flour and whisk constantly to form a smooth roux, cooking until no lumps remain.
- Incorporate Milk and Thicken: Increase heat to medium. Slowly whisk in the milk, cooking and whisking frequently for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in grated cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and ground mustard powder. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Notes
- Make sure the water is lukewarm to activate the yeast properly but not too hot to avoid killing it.
- If the dough feels too sticky, gradually add additional flour in small increments to achieve the right consistency.
- Boiling the pretzel bites in baking soda water gives them their characteristic chewy crust and distinct pretzel flavor.
- The egg wash helps achieve a beautiful golden brown finish with a shiny surface.
- The cheese sauce can be kept warm on low heat and occasionally stirred to prevent skin from forming.
- Use mild cheddar for a smooth melting cheese sauce; sharp cheddar may make it grainier.
