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Warm Gooey Cheesy Pretzel Bites Recipe

Warm Gooey Cheesy Pretzel Bites Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 31 reviews

These Warm Gooey Cheesy Pretzel Bites feature a soft, chewy pretzel exterior enveloping a rich, melted cheddar or mozzarella cheese center. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, they combine the classic flavor of pretzels with the irresistible gooeyness of cheese, baked to golden perfection and sprinkled with coarse sea salt.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
  • 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Boiling Solution

  • 10 cups water
  • 2/3 cup baking soda

Filling and Topping

  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella for extra gooeyness)
  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • Coarse sea salt for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Activate yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, mix in the flour, salt, and melted butter with the yeast mixture. Knead the dough on a floured surface for 6-8 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  3. Preheat oven and shape bites: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 1.5-inch pieces. Flatten each piece, place a generous amount of shredded cheese in the center, and seal the dough around the cheese to form balls.
  4. Prepare boiling solution and boil bites: In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water and 2/3 cup of baking soda to a boil. Carefully drop the pretzel bites into the boiling solution for 30 seconds, then use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Add egg wash and salt: Brush each pretzel bite with the beaten egg wash to ensure a shiny crust. Sprinkle coarse sea salt on top evenly.
  6. Bake: Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until they turn golden brown and deliciously crisp.
  7. Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving warm with your favorite dips like mustard, cheese sauce, or marinara.

Notes

  • You can substitute mozzarella for cheddar cheese if you prefer a stretchier cheese pull.
  • Ensure the water for activating yeast is around 110°F to properly proof without killing the yeast.
  • Boiling in baking soda water creates the signature pretzel crust; do not skip this step.
  • Use coarse sea salt for the best texture and flavor contrast on top of the pretzels.
  • These bites can be prepared ahead and frozen before boiling; boil and bake from frozen with an additional 2 minutes in the oven.

Nutrition

Keywords: pretzel bites, cheesy pretzels, snack recipe, appetizer, homemade pretzels, gooey cheese bites

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/warm-gooey-cheesy-pretzel-bites-recipe/