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Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 64 reviews

These Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites are golden and chewy on the outside with a soft interior. Perfectly boiled in a baking soda solution for that authentic pretzel flavor and finished with a crunchy coarse sea salt topping. Served warm with a creamy homemade cheddar cheese sauce, they make an irresistible snack or appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

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 dough)

Boiling Solution

  • 3 quarts water
  • 1/3 cup baking soda

Toppings and Finish

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

Cheese Sauce

  • 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm water, light brown sugar, active dry yeast, and melted butter. Mix with the dough hook attachment until incorporated. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes until it becomes slightly foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Knead the Dough: Add kosher salt and 4 1/2 cups of the flour to the yeast mixture. Mix on low speed until ingredients are combined. Then increase to medium speed and knead for 3 to 4 minutes until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the bowl. Add more flour, one tablespoon at a time, if the dough is too sticky. Remove the dough and form into a smooth ball by hand.
  3. First Rise: Lightly oil a large bowl with vegetable oil. Place the dough inside, turning it to coat all sides with oil. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.
  4. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) in preparation for baking the pretzel bites.
  5. Prepare Boiling Solution: Bring 3 quarts of water to a rolling boil in a large roasting pan over high heat. Slowly add 1/3 cup baking soda to the water—add it carefully, as the solution will bubble up vigorously.
  6. Shape and Boil Pretzel Bites: Remove the risen dough onto a floured work surface. Divide it into 8 equal portions (each about 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 ounces). Roll each portion into a 22-inch long rope. Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces to form the pretzel bites. Boil the bites in batches of about 15 pieces in the baking soda water for approximately 30 seconds until they float. Use a large slotted spoon to remove them and place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray, ensuring bites don’t touch each other.
  7. Apply Egg Wash and Salt: Brush the tops of the boiled pretzel bites with the beaten egg wash. Sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt to add crunch and flavor.
  8. Bake: Place the sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until pretzel bites are golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside.
  9. Cool: Remove baking sheets from oven and transfer pretzel bites to a wire cooling rack. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  10. Make Cheese Sauce: While the pretzels bake, melt 1/2 tablespoon of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in 1/2 tablespoon flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux. Gradually whisk in 1/2 cup milk and continue cooking until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in 8 ounces grated Cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  11. Serve: Serve the warm soft pretzel bites with the creamy cheddar cheese sauce for dipping.

Notes

  • Ensure water is warm, not hot, for activating yeast to avoid killing it.
  • Add flour gradually; dough should be tacky but not sticky.
  • Boiling the pretzels in the baking soda solution is what gives them their characteristic chew and crust.
  • Use coarse sea salt for the best texture and flavor on top of the pretzels.
  • The cheese sauce can be customized with different cheeses or seasonings to taste.
  • For a richer flavor, you can substitute half the water with milk in the dough.
  • If you prefer, cut the dough into traditional pretzel shapes instead of bites.

Keywords: soft pretzel bites, homemade pretzels, cheesy pretzel bites, appetizer, snack

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