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Cheese Pretzel Bites Recipe

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4.1 from 69 reviews

Delicious homemade Cheese Pretzel Bites featuring a soft, chewy pretzel dough wrapped around sharp cheddar cheese cubes, boiled in a baking soda bath for that classic pretzel crust, and baked to golden perfection. Perfect as a savory snack or appetizer.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 16 pretzel bites

Ingredients

Pretzel Bites:

  • 2 ¼ teaspoons yeast
  • 1 cup warm water (105-110°F)
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons whole milk (room temperature)
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter (melted)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 8 ounces Cabot sharp cheddar cheese, cut into ½” cubes

Water Bath:

  • 4 quarts water
  • ½ cup baking soda

Topping:

  • Coarse sea salt (to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter (melted)

Instructions

  1. Proof the yeast: Combine yeast, warm water, and brown sugar in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook. Stir and let stand for 5 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Prepare butter mixture: While the yeast proofs, melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and mix in the whole milk. Set aside.
  3. Mix dough ingredients: Once the yeast is foamy, add the milk and melted butter mixture to the yeast mixture and mix on low speed with the dough hook until just combined.
  4. Add salt and flour: Add the fine sea salt and all-purpose flour to the mixture. Continue mixing with the dough hook until the flour is fully incorporated into the dough.
  5. Knead the dough: Knead the dough with the mixer until it forms a slightly tacky but firm ball. Add more flour, one tablespoon at a time if needed, to achieve the right consistency—tacky but not sticky.
  6. First rise: Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough ball inside, cover with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  7. Preheat oven and prepare pan: Once the dough has doubled, preheat your oven to 400°F and grease a large baking pan. Set aside.
  8. Prepare cheese cubes: Chop the cheddar cheese into sixteen ½” cubes and set aside (extra cheese will remain).
  9. Deflate dough: Remove the risen dough from the bowl and gently press out any air bubbles.
  10. Divide dough: Portion the dough into equal-sized balls weighing about 50 grams each (food scale recommended). There should be 16 pieces total.
  11. Boil water and add baking soda: Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Slowly add the baking soda in small amounts to avoid overflow or splashing.
  12. Form pretzel bites with cheese: Flatten each dough piece into a round, flat disc. Place one cheese cube in the center and carefully wrap the dough around it, forming a smooth, sealed ball with no seams exposed to prevent cheese leakage.
  13. Boil the pretzel bites: Immediately drop each formed bite into the boiling baking soda water. Boil for 60 seconds on each side, turning once to ensure even coating. Use a slotted spoon to remove and drain.
  14. Add salt topping: Place boiled bites on the greased baking pan and immediately sprinkle with coarse sea salt to your taste.
  15. Bake: Bake the pretzel bites for 12-15 minutes at 400°F, rotating the pan halfway through baking. They are done when golden brown and firm yet tender to the touch.
  16. Butter glaze: Remove from the oven and immediately brush the tops with melted butter for extra flavor and shine.
  17. Cool and serve: Transfer the pretzel bites to a wire rack to cool just enough so they can be enjoyed warm.

Notes

  • Ingredient Substitutions: Use dark brown sugar instead of light brown sugar if desired; substitute whole milk with 2% milk or half and half; use unsalted butter instead of salted butter; bread flour can be used instead of all-purpose flour but other flours are not recommended; choose high-quality sharp cheddar cheese for best taste; do not omit or reduce coarse sea salt topping.
  • Storage: Store pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze pretzel bites in an airtight container wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 2 months.
  • Author: Adeline
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://flavorhug.com/cheese-pretzel-bites-recipe/