Craving a warm, chewy, and salty snack? These Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce are the perfect homemade treat! With golden, buttery pretzel bites and a rich, creamy cheese sauce, this recipe is ideal for game nights, parties, or anytime snacking.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Easy to Make: Step-by-step instructions make it beginner-friendly.
✔ Better than Store-Bought: Freshly baked pretzel bites with a homemade cheese dip!
✔ Perfect Party Snack: A crowd-pleasing appetizer for any occasion.
✔ Customizable: Add your favorite seasonings or dips for extra flavor.

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Ingredients for Pretzel Bites & Cheese Sauce

For the Pretzel Bites:

• 1 ½ cups water (lukewarm)
• 2 ¼ tsp instant rise yeast (1 packet)
• 2 tbsp butter (melted)
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 cups flour
• ½ cup baking soda (for boiling)
• 1 egg, beaten
• ½ tbsp water
• Coarse salt (for sprinkling)

For the Cheddar Cheese Sauce:

• 2 ¼ cups whole milk
• ¼ cup salted butter
• ¼ cup flour
• 2 cups mild cheddar cheese, grated
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp ground mustard powder

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pretzel Dough

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add warm water and instant yeast. Whisk together and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Add the melted butter, brown sugar, and salt to the yeast mixture. Whisk to combine.
3. Fit the dough hook attachment onto the mixer.
4. On low speed, gradually add 3 cups of flour (½ cup at a time) until the dough starts to form.
5. If the dough is still sticky, add more flour ¼ cup at a time until it pulls away from the sides and bounces back when poked.

Step 2: Knead & Rest the Dough

1. Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 2 minutes.
2. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased mixing bowl. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Shape & Cut the Pretzel Bites

1. Cut the dough into six equal pieces.
2. Roll each piece into a 1-inch-thick rope.
3. Use a sharp knife to cut each rope into 1 ½-inch bite-sized pieces.

Step 4: Boil the Pretzel Bites

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large pot, bring water and ½ cup baking soda to a boil.
3. Working in small batches, drop pretzel bites into the boiling water for 20 seconds.
4. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place on the baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart.

Step 5: Bake the Pretzel Bites

1. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 egg and ½ tbsp water to create an egg wash.
2. Brush the egg wash over each pretzel bite and sprinkle with coarse salt.
3. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

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How to Make the Cheddar Cheese Sauce

Step 1: Make the Roux

1. In a medium saucepan, melt ¼ cup butter over medium-low heat.
2. Once melted, whisk in ¼ cup flour until smooth. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.

Step 2: Add Milk & Thicken

1. Slowly whisk in 2 ¼ cups whole milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
2. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the sauce thickens.

Step 3: Add Cheese & Seasonings

1. Lower the heat and add grated cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, and ground mustard powder.
2. Stir until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.

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Serving Suggestions

✨ Dipping Sauces: Serve with honey mustard, ranch, or spicy cheese sauce.
✨ Toppings: Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar for a sweet twist!
✨ Pairing Ideas: Enjoy with beer, soup, or a charcuterie board for an ultimate snack experience.

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Storage & Reheating Tips

Refrigeration:

• Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Store cheese sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Reheating:

• Reheat pretzels in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave in 10-second intervals.
• Reheat cheese sauce over low heat, stirring often, or microwave in 30-second intervals, adding a splash of milk if needed.

Freezing:

• Unbaked dough: Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
• Baked pretzels: Freeze for 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I Use Store-Bought Dough?

Yes! You can use pizza dough or frozen bread dough, but homemade gives the best results.

2. Why Do I Need to Boil the Pretzel Bites?

Boiling in baking soda water gives pretzels their chewy texture and golden-brown crust.

3. Can I Use a Different Cheese?

Absolutely! Try sharp cheddar, Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for a different flavor.

4. How Do I Make Soft Pretzel Sticks Instead?

Instead of cutting into bites, roll the dough into 6-inch logs and bake as pretzel sticks!

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Final Thoughts

These Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheddar Cheese Sauce are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and loaded with cheesy, buttery goodness. Whether you’re hosting a party, watching a game, or just craving a salty snack, this recipe is a must-try!

Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out!