Description
These Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce are a perfect snack for any occasion, featuring soft, chewy pretzel dough bites boiled in baking soda water and baked to golden perfection. Served with a rich and creamy homemade cheddar cheese sauce, this recipe is easy to make and wonderfully satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
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, combine lukewarm water and instant yeast, whisking together until well mixed.
- Add wet ingredients: Stir in melted butter, brown sugar, and salt into the yeast mixture, whisking to combine fully.
- Mix dough: Attach the dough hook and turn mixer to low speed. Gradually add 3 cups of flour, ½ cup at a time, mixing until dough starts pulling away from the bowl sides. If dough is sticky, add additional flour in ¼ cup increments until manageable.
- Knead dough: Transfer dough to a lightly floured surface, knead by hand for 2 minutes, then form into a ball. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes to rise slightly.
- Prepare boiling water: While dough rests, bring a large pot of water and baking soda to a boil to prepare for boiling the pretzel bites.
- Shape pretzel bites: Cut dough into six equal parts. Roll each into 1-inch ropes, then cut into 1 ½-inch-sized pieces to form the pretzel bites.
- Preheat oven: Set oven to 425°F (220°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Boil pretzel bites: Boil each dough piece for 20 seconds in the baking soda water, then remove using a slotted spoon and place on baking sheets spaced about an inch apart.
- Apply egg wash and salt: Mix beaten egg with water, brush evenly over pretzel bites, and sprinkle with coarse salt for flavor and shine.
- Bake: Bake pretzel bites for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Make cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add flour and whisk to remove lumps, creating a roux.
- Thicken sauce: Gradually whisk in milk over medium heat, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until thickened.
- Add cheese and season: Stir in grated cheddar, salt, pepper, and ground mustard until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
- For best results, use lukewarm water to activate the yeast without killing it.
- Boiling in baking soda water gives pretzel bites their characteristic chewy crust and deep flavor.
- Brush egg wash carefully to ensure an even golden color and texture.
- The cheese sauce can be kept warm on low heat but should be stirred frequently.
- These pretzel bites are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheated.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
