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Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheese Dip

A pile of freshly baked, golden brown pretzel bites sprinkled with coarse salt, served next to a small bowl of bright orange cheese sauce.
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Make soft, chewy pretzel bites from scratch using a baking soda bath for authentic flavor. Serve warm with a simple cheese dipping sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Coarse pretzel salt, for topping
  • For Cheese Dip: 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • For Cheese Dip: 1/2 cup milk
  • For Cheese Dip: 1 tablespoon butter
  • For Cheese Dip: 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the yeast mixture, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
  3. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth. Knead in the melted butter until fully incorporated.
  4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  5. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  6. In a large, shallow pot, bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Stir in the baking soda. The water will foam.
  7. Punch down the dough. Divide it into two pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope about 1 inch thick. Cut the ropes into 1-inch pieces.
  8. Working in batches, carefully drop 4 to 6 pretzel bites into the boiling baking soda water for 30 seconds. Do not overcrowd the pot.
  9. Use a slotted spoon to remove the blanched bites and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
  10. Brush the tops of the bites with the beaten egg wash and immediately sprinkle generously with coarse pretzel salt.
  11. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until deep golden brown.
  12. While the pretzels bake, make the dip: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 1 tablespoon flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
  13. Serve the warm pretzel bites immediately with the cheese dip.

Notes

  • For a sweeter version, skip the salt and dip in cinnamon sugar mixed with melted butter instead of cheese sauce.
  • If you prefer a quicker method, you can substitute store-bought biscuit dough, cut into small pieces, and boil for only 15 seconds before baking.
  • You can substitute honey mustard for the cheese dip for a different flavor profile.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastytipster.com/soft-pretzel-bites-recipe-easy-appetizer/