Homemade Pretzels with Cheese Sauce
Homemade Pretzels with Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
For the Pretzel Dough
- 3/4 cup warm water, at 110°F
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
For the Boiling Bath and Topping
- 1/2 cup baking soda, for the boiling bath
- 1 egg, beaten, for egg wash
- 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
- 1/4 cup sea salt, coarse, for topping
For Serving
- 1 cup cheese sauce, warm, for dipping
Instructions
- 1
In a liquid measuring cup, combine the warm water (110°F), active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Whisk gently and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), add the all-purpose flour, salt, and melted butter. Pour in the activated yeast mixture.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Mix the ingredients until a shaggy dough forms. If using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and knead on medium-low speed for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If kneading by hand, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10-12 minutes. Finish with a brief hand-knead for a couple of minutes to ensure elasticity.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
Lightly grease a clean bowl with a small amount of oil. Place the kneaded dough into the greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 60 min
- 5
Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down and turn it out onto a clean, lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces using a bench scraper or knife. Take one piece of dough and roll it into a long, thin rope, about 18-24 inches long. To form the pretzel shape, grab both ends of the rope, cross them over each other, then cross them over again, and finally, flip the twisted section down to create the characteristic pretzel knot. Repeat with the remaining dough pieces.
⏱️ 15 min
- 6
Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the baking soda to the boiling water (it will fizz up). Gently place each shaped pretzel into the boiling water bath, one or two at a time depending on pot size, and boil for approximately 30 seconds per side.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 450
- 7
Using a slotted spoon or spatula, carefully remove the boiled pretzels from the water, allowing excess water to drain. Transfer them to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them out.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush each pretzel generously with the egg wash. Immediately sprinkle a good amount of coarse sea salt over each pretzel.
⏱️ 3 min
- 9
Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 450
- 10
Remove the baked pretzels from the oven. Serve them warm, ideally with a side of warm cheese sauce for dipping.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Homemade Pretzels with Cheese Sauce
Ingredients
For the Pretzel Dough
- 3/4 cup warm water, at 110°F
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
For the Boiling Bath and Topping
- 1/2 cup baking soda, for the boiling bath
- 1 egg, beaten, for egg wash
- 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
- 1/4 cup sea salt, coarse, for topping
For Serving
- 1 cup cheese sauce, warm, for dipping
Instructions
- 1
In a liquid measuring cup, combine the warm water (110°F), active dry yeast, and granulated sugar. Whisk gently and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), add the all-purpose flour, salt, and melted butter. Pour in the activated yeast mixture.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Mix the ingredients until a shaggy dough forms. If using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and knead on medium-low speed for about 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. If kneading by hand, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10-12 minutes. Finish with a brief hand-knead for a couple of minutes to ensure elasticity.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
Lightly grease a clean bowl with a small amount of oil. Place the kneaded dough into the greased bowl, turning once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
⏱️ 60 min - 5
Once the dough has risen, gently punch it down and turn it out onto a clean, lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces using a bench scraper or knife. Take one piece of dough and roll it into a long, thin rope, about 18-24 inches long. To form the pretzel shape, grab both ends of the rope, cross them over each other, then cross them over again, and finally, flip the twisted section down to create the characteristic pretzel knot. Repeat with the remaining dough pieces.
⏱️ 15 min - 6
Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the baking soda to the boiling water (it will fizz up). Gently place each shaped pretzel into the boiling water bath, one or two at a time depending on pot size, and boil for approximately 30 seconds per side.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 450 - 7
Using a slotted spoon or spatula, carefully remove the boiled pretzels from the water, allowing excess water to drain. Transfer them to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them out.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
In a small bowl, whisk together the beaten egg and 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush each pretzel generously with the egg wash. Immediately sprinkle a good amount of coarse sea salt over each pretzel.
⏱️ 3 min - 9
Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 450 - 10
Remove the baked pretzels from the oven. Serve them warm, ideally with a side of warm cheese sauce for dipping.
⏱️ 1 min