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Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce Recipe

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4.1 from 6 reviews

These homemade soft pretzel bites are a delightful snack featuring a chewy, golden crust and a tender interior. Served with a creamy, melted cheddar cheese sauce, they are perfect for gatherings or a fun treat at home. The recipe involves yeast dough, boiling in a baking soda solution for that signature pretzel texture, and baking to a perfect golden brown.

Ingredients

Pretzel Dough

  • 1 1/2 cups warm water
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 package active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 3 ounces unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 4 1/2 to 5 cups all-purpose flour
  • Vegetable oil (for coating bowl)

Boiling Solution

  • 3 quarts water
  • 1/3 cup baking soda

Topping & Finishing

  • 1 whole egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water (egg wash)
  • Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling

Cheese Sauce

  • ½ tablespoon unsalted butter
  • ½ tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup milk
  • 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the warm water, brown sugar, yeast, and melted butter. Mix until combined, then let it sit for 5 minutes to activate the yeast and create a frothy mixture.
  2. Knead the Dough: Add the kosher salt and 4 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until ingredients come together, then increase to medium speed and knead for 3 to 4 minutes until the dough is smooth and slightly pulls away from the sides of the bowl. If the dough is too wet, add additional flour one tablespoon at a time. Remove dough and knead gently on a flat surface into a ball.
  3. First Rise: Lightly oil a clean bowl with vegetable oil, place the dough inside, and turn to coat it evenly. Cover the bowl with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let the dough rest in a warm place until it doubles in size, approximately 1 hour.
  4. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  5. Prepare Boiling Solution: In a roasting pan, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil over high heat. Slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water — be careful as it may bubble up aggressively.
  6. Shape Pretzel Bites: Remove the risen dough onto a flat surface and divide it into 8 equal pieces (about 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 ounces each). Roll each piece into a 22-inch long rope. Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces to form the pretzel bites.
  7. Boil Pretzel Bites: Working in batches (about 15 pieces at a time), carefully drop the pretzel bites into the baking soda water. Boil for 30 seconds to achieve the classic pretzel texture. Remove with a slotted spoon and place onto a cooking spray–lined baking sheet, making sure they do not touch.
  8. Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Brush each pretzel bite generously with the egg wash. Sprinkle coarse sea salt on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown.
  9. Cool: Remove pretzel bites from the oven and transfer to a wire rack. Let them cool for 5 minutes.
  10. Make Cheese Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in grated Cheddar cheese until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  11. Serve: Serve the warm pretzel bites alongside the creamy cheddar cheese sauce for dipping.

Notes

  • Adding the baking soda to the boiling water creates the distinctive chewy crust of pretzels.
  • Be cautious while adding baking soda to hot water — add slowly to prevent boil-over.
  • If the dough is sticky, gradually add flour to achieve a smooth but not dry consistency.
  • Brush the pretzel bites with egg wash to ensure a beautiful glossy, golden finish.
  • Coarse sea salt provides the ideal salty crunch; feel free to adjust amount according to taste.
  • Cheese sauce can be enhanced with a pinch of smoked paprika or garlic powder for extra flavor.
  • Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for best texture.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/homemade-soft-pretzel-bites-with-cheddar-cheese-sauce-recipe/