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Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce

Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce
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Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce are a delightful snack combining crispy, golden-brown pretzel bites with a rich, creamy cheddar cheese dip. Perfect for game nights, parties, or weekend treats, this easy homemade recipe offers a delicious balance of salty dough and velvety cheese that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
  • 10 cups water (for boiling)
  • 2/3 cup baking soda (for boiling)
  • Coarse salt, for sprinkling

Cheddar Cheese Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch or all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream or milk
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, dissolve active dry yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit until frothy, about 5-7 minutes. Add the flour, melted butter, and salt, then mix and knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  2. Shape the Pretzel Bites: Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it into a long rope about 1 inch thick. Cut the rope into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1 to 1.5 inches each.
  3. Boil the Bites: Bring a large pot of water and baking soda to a boil. Carefully boil the pretzel bites in batches for about 30 seconds each. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  4. Add Toppings and Bake: Sprinkle coarse salt over the boiled bites. Bake in a preheated oven at 450°F (230°C) for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  5. Prepare the Cheddar Cheese Sauce: While the pretzels bake, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in cornstarch or flour to create a roux. Slowly add heavy cream or milk, whisking constantly until smooth and thickened. Reduce heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese and mustard powder until melted and creamy.
  6. Serve Warm: Once pretzel bites are out of the oven, serve immediately with generous bowls of cheddar cheese sauce for dipping.

Notes

  • Use warm but not hot water to activate yeast properly.
  • Boiling pretzel bites in baking soda water is essential for authentic crust.
  • Sharp cheddar cheese yields best flavor and smooth melting.
  • Freshly shred cheddar cheese for better sauce texture.
  • Watch the oven closely to avoid over-browning.

Nutrition

Keywords: pretzel bites, cheddar cheese sauce, snack, appetizer, game night, homemade pretzels, cheese dip

Find it online: https://recipesbykaeli.com/pretzel-bites-with-cheddar-cheese-sauce/