Description
Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheese Sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups warm water
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 3 ounces unsalted butter, melted
- 2½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 4½ to 5 cups all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil (for bowl)
- 3 quarts water
- ⅓ cup baking soda (for boiling)
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water (egg wash)
- Coarse sea salt
- ½ tablespoon unsalted butter (for cheese sauce)
- ½ tablespoon all-purpose flour (for cheese sauce)
- ½ cup milk (for cheese sauce)
- 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, grated (for cheese sauce)
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine warm water, brown sugar, yeast, and melted butter. Mix briefly and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Add salt and flour. Mix on low until combined, then increase to medium speed and knead 3–4 minutes until the dough is smooth and pulls from the sides. If sticky, add flour 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Form dough into a ball. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, turn to coat, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pan. Slowly add baking soda (it will foam).
- Divide dough into 8 equal pieces (about 4¼–4½ oz each). Roll each into a 22-inch rope and cut into 1-inch pieces.
- Boil pretzel bites in batches (about 15 at a time) for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon.
- Place bites on a greased baking sheet without touching. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse salt.
- Bake 15–18 minutes until deep golden brown.
- Transfer to a rack and cool 5 minutes before serving.
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Whisk in milk and cook until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in grated Cheddar until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- For Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites, skip the salt and toss in cinnamon sugar after baking.
- For dipping, whisk softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a splash of milk to desired consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 181
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites, Pretzel Bites, Cheese Sauce