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Soft Baked Cheesy Pretzel Dogs Recipe

4.5 from 114 reviews

Soft Baked Cheesy Pretzel Dogs are a delightful twist on the classic pretzel, featuring warm, soft pretzel dough wrapped around a juicy hot dog with melted cheddar cheese inside. Perfectly boiled in baking soda water for that authentic pretzel crust and baked to golden perfection, these savory treats are great for parties, game days, or a fun family snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough and Coating

  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Coarse salt, for sprinkling

Assembly

  • 8 hot dogs
  • 8 slices cheddar cheese
  • Mustard or your favorite dipping sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Make Dough: In a large mixing bowl, mix flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture to the flour and stir to form a dough.
  3. Knead Dough: Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Let Dough Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  5. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  6. Prepare Baking Soda Bath: In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil and add baking soda. Stir to dissolve the baking soda.
  7. Divide Dough: Once dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
  8. Shape Dough and Assemble: Roll each piece of dough into a rope long enough to wrap around a hot dog and cheese slice. Wrap a slice of cheddar cheese around each hot dog, then wrap the dough around it, pinching the ends and edges to seal completely.
  9. Boil Wrapped Dogs: Using a slotted spoon, carefully dip each pretzel-wrapped dog into the boiling baking soda water for 30 seconds, then transfer to the prepared baking sheets.
  10. Egg Wash and Salt: Brush each pretzel dog with beaten egg and sprinkle generously with coarse salt.
  11. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
  12. Cool and Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with mustard or your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • Make sure the water for yeast activation is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
  • Kneading is essential for gluten development, which ensures soft yet structured pretzel dough.
  • The baking soda bath is critical for the pretzel crust formation and flavor.
  • You can substitute cheddar with other melting cheeses like mozzarella or pepper jack for variation.
  • Serve immediately for best texture; pretzels may become less soft if stored too long.

Keywords: pretzel dogs, cheesy pretzel, baked pretzels, hot dog snacks, party food, game day recipe