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Easy Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce

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These soft pretzel bites are warm, salty, and chewy, paired with a velvety cheese sauce. Perfect for game days, movie nights, or any casual gathering, they’re surprisingly easy to make with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups warm water (about 110°F)
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup baking soda
  • 10 cups water
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Coarse sea salt or pretzel salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for cheese sauce)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for cheese sauce)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, brown sugar, and active dry yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add melted butter, salt, and 2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined, then gradually add remaining 2 cups of flour.
  3. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 45 minutes to 1 hour until doubled in size.
  5. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  6. In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Carefully add ½ cup baking soda, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
  7. Punch down the dough and divide into 4 equal pieces. Roll each into a 1-inch thick rope, then cut into 1-inch pieces.
  8. Drop 6-8 pretzel bites into the simmering baking soda water for 20-30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on the prepared baking sheet.
  9. Brush each pretzel bite with beaten egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse salt.
  10. Bake for 12-15 minutes until deep golden brown. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.
  11. While baking, make the cheese sauce: In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour in 1 cup milk while whisking continuously until thickened (2-3 minutes). Reduce heat to low, add shredded cheddar, mustard powder, paprika, and cayenne. Stir until melted and smooth. Season with salt.

Notes

Don’t skip the baking soda bath—it’s essential for the pretzel texture and color. For best results, shred your own cheddar cheese for the sauce. The dough can be prepared the night before and refrigerated for a slow rise. Leftover pretzel bites can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days and reheated in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: soft pretzel bites, cheese sauce, game day snack, homemade pretzels, party appetizer

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/easy-homemade-soft-pretzel-bites-with-cheese-sauce/