Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheese Dip
These soft & salty pretzel bites are the perfect appetizer when paired with this creamy cheese dip!
Servings: 70 bites
Ingredients
For the pretzel bites:
- 1 ½ cups warm water
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 packet Instant dry yeast
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp salted butter melted
- ⅔ cup baking soda for boiling the pretzels
- 1 egg for the egg wash
- pretzel salt or a course salt for garnish
For the cheese dip:
- 1 tbsp salted butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk room temperature
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese freshly shredded, not store bought shredded
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
For the pretzel bites:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer combine warm water, salt, and sugar. Add yeast and let rest 5 minutes until yeast starts to foam.
- With the mixer on medium-low speed add in the flour and melted butter and mix thoroughly until a dough forms onto the dough hook of the stand mixer, about 2 minutes. Wet hands and remove the dough from the bowl then rub 2-3 tablespoons of oil all over the stand mixer bowl (or a large new bowl if you prefer) Add the dough back to the oiled bowl. Cover with Saran Wrap. Let it rise for 1 hour (I turn oven on for 3-5 min, make sure to turn it off, then place in the oven)
- Once the dough has risen remove from the oven and preheat to 450°F. Add baking soda to a large pot of water, and bring to a rolling boil.
- Cut the dough into 8 pieces and roll them out into thin ropes. Cut about 1 inch pieces. Boil batches of the pretzel bites, about 10-15 at a time, for 30 seconds.
- Transfer pretzels to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, brush with egg wash, and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 12-14 minutes, until golden brown.
For the cheese dip:
- Add butter to a large saucepan over medium heat and melt. Whisk in the flour and continue whisking for approximately 1 minute until a thick paste is formed. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and then whisk in the cheddar cheese and salt and pepper until the cheese is entirely melted. Serve with the pretzel bites and enjoy!