Mini Pretzel Cheese Bites
Mini Pretzel Cheese Bites
Ingredients
For the Pretzel Dough
- 1 1/2 cups warm water, 105-115°F
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast, one packet
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Filling
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
For the Boiling & Topping
- 8 cups water
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons pretzel salt, or coarse sea salt
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5 minutes, or until the mixture is foamy.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Add the all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
⏱️ 15 min
- 3
Lightly grease a clean bowl with a little oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 45 min
- 4
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 425
- 5
Punch down the risen dough and divide it into approximately 30-35 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a small ball, then flatten it slightly. Place a 1/2-inch cube of cheddar cheese in the center of each flattened dough piece. Carefully pinch the edges of the dough together to completely seal the cheese inside, forming a small ball.
⏱️ 15 min
- 6
In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the baking soda and stir until dissolved. The water will foam up significantly. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Working in batches of 4-5, carefully drop the pretzel bites into the simmering baking soda solution. Boil for 20-30 seconds per side, then remove with a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each bite.
⏱️ 10 min
- 8
Bake the pretzel bites for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown. While they are baking, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 425
- 9
Once removed from the oven, immediately brush the warm pretzel bites with the melted butter and generously sprinkle with pretzel salt. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as mustard or cheese dip.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Mini Pretzel Cheese Bites
Ingredients
For the Pretzel Dough
- 1 1/2 cups warm water, 105-115°F
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast, one packet
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Filling
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
For the Boiling & Topping
- 8 cups water
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons pretzel salt, or coarse sea salt
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, granulated sugar, and active dry yeast. Stir gently and let sit for 5 minutes, or until the mixture is foamy.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Add the all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
⏱️ 15 min - 3
Lightly grease a clean bowl with a little oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 30-45 minutes, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 45 min - 4
Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 425 - 5
Punch down the risen dough and divide it into approximately 30-35 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a small ball, then flatten it slightly. Place a 1/2-inch cube of cheddar cheese in the center of each flattened dough piece. Carefully pinch the edges of the dough together to completely seal the cheese inside, forming a small ball.
⏱️ 15 min - 6
In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the baking soda and stir until dissolved. The water will foam up significantly. Reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Working in batches of 4-5, carefully drop the pretzel bites into the simmering baking soda solution. Boil for 20-30 seconds per side, then remove with a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each bite.
⏱️ 10 min - 8
Bake the pretzel bites for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown. While they are baking, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 425 - 9
Once removed from the oven, immediately brush the warm pretzel bites with the melted butter and generously sprinkle with pretzel salt. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce, such as mustard or cheese dip.
⏱️ 5 min