Soft, chewy, and deliciously salty, these Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites are the perfect snack for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a game day party, looking for an appetizer, or just craving a fun snack, these pretzel bites will hit the spot. Paired with a creamy cheddar cheese sauce, this classic combination offers the ultimate comfort food experience. Best of all, they’re simple to make, and the process of boiling and baking gives these bites their signature flavor and texture.
Ingredients:
For the Soft Pretzel Bites:
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) of active dry yeast
- 3 oz unsalted butter, melted
- 2 ½ tsp kosher salt
- 4 ½ to 5 cups of all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil (for greasing the bowl)
- 3 quarts water
- ⅓ cup baking soda (for boiling the pretzels)
- 1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tbsp cold water
- Coarse sea salt (for sprinkling)
For the Cheddar Cheese Sauce:
- ½ tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ cup milk
- 8 oz Cheddar cheese, grated
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and light brown sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the water mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Add the melted butter and kosher salt to the yeast mixture, stirring to combine.
- Gradually add 4 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, mixing until the dough comes together.
- If the dough feels excessively sticky, gradually incorporate additional flour.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Lightly grease a large bowl with vegetable oil, place the dough in the bowl, and cover it with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel.
- Let the dough rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
2. Shape and Boil the Pretzel Bites:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot.
- Once boiling, slowly add the baking soda (be careful as it may foam up).
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 6 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a rope, about 12-14 inches long, and cut each rope into 1-inch bite-sized pieces.
- Working in batches, carefully drop the pretzel bites into the boiling water for about 30 seconds.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the bites and place them onto the prepared baking sheet.
3. Bake the Pretzel Bites:
- Brush the tops of the boiled pretzel bites with the beaten egg wash, then sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
4. Make the Cheese Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to stir until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the grated cheddar cheese until smooth and melted.
- If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little more milk to achieve your desired consistency.
5. Serve:
- Serve the soft pretzel bites warm, with the creamy cheddar cheese sauce on the side for dipping.
Conclusion:
These Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites, paired with a velvety cheddar cheese sauce, are the perfect combination of soft and chewy with a salty, buttery finish. They’re a fun snack that’s easy to share and even easier to love. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply enjoying a cozy evening at home, these pretzel bites will bring a little bit of bakery goodness to your kitchen.
Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce: A Fun and Tasty Snack
Soft, chewy pretzel bites made from scratch, boiledfor an authentic texture and sprinkled with sea salt, served with a creamycheddar cheese sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
For the Soft Pretzel Bites:
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 packet 2 ¼ teaspoons of active dry yeast
- 3 oz unsalted butter melted
- 2 ½ tsp kosher salt
- 4 ½ to 5 cups of all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil for greasing the bowl
- 3 quarts water
- ⅓ cup baking soda for boiling the pretzels
- 1 whole egg beaten with 1 tbsp cold water
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
For the Cheddar Cheese Sauce:
- ½ tbsp unsalted butter
- ½ tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ cup milk
- 8 oz Cheddar cheese grated
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and light brown sugar, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Sprinkle the active dry yeast over the water mixture and let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
- Add the melted butter and kosher salt to the yeast mixture, stirring to combine.
- Gradually add 4 ½ cups of all-purpose flour, mixing until the dough comes together.
- If the dough feels excessively sticky, gradually incorporate additional flour.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Lightly grease a large bowl with vegetable oil, place the dough in the bowl, and cover it with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel.
- Let the dough rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
Shape and Boil the Pretzel Bites:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot.
- Once boiling, slowly add the baking soda (be careful as it may foam up).
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 6 equal pieces.
- Roll each piece into a rope, about 12-14 inches long, and cut each rope into 1-inch bite-sized pieces.
- Working in batches, carefully drop the pretzel bites into the boiling water for about 30 seconds.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the bites and place them onto the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the Pretzel Bites:
- Brush the tops of the boiled pretzel bites with the beaten egg wash, then sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
Make the Cheese Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to stir until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the grated cheddar cheese until smooth and melted.
- If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little more milk to achieve your desired consistency.
Serve:
- Serve the soft pretzel bites warm, with the creamy cheddar cheese sauce on the side for dipping.