Savory Homemade Gooey Cheesy Pretzel Bites Recipe with Sea Salt

Crisp and golden, these salty pretzel bites deliver a mouthwatering crunch that stops conversations mid-sentence.

Beer-cheese lovers find themselves drawn to this irresistible pretzel bites recipe with an uncontrollable magnetism.

Small yet packed with flavor, these little snacks promise to steal the spotlight at any gathering.

Perfectly seasoned and delightfully poppable, they disappear faster than you can plate them.

Soft inside and wonderfully crisp outside, each bite carries a hint of buttery richness that makes them impossible to resist.

Serve them warm and watch as everyone reaches for just one more – and then another.

Prepare to become the most popular host with this simple, addictive treat.

Tools You’ll Want For Gooey Cheesy Pretzel Bites With Sea Salt Topping

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients and kneading dough.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precision tools for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Baking sheet: Needed for baking pretzel bites.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Slotted spoon: Helps remove pretzel bites from baking soda bath.
• Small bowl: For preparing egg wash and melted butter.
• Pastry brush: Used for applying egg wash and melted butter.
• Sharp knife or pizza cutter: Helps cut dough into uniform pieces.
• Kitchen towel: Covers dough during rising process.

Step-By-Step For Gooey Cheesy Pretzel Bites With Sea Salt Topping

• Awaken the Yeast Brew a warm, inviting bath for your yeast by combining water, sugar, and the magical rising agent. Let the mixture sit and bubble with excitement for 5 minutes.
• Craft the Dough Toss in flour, salt, and melted butter into your yeast mixture. Mix until everything comes together like old friends reuniting. Knead the dough with loving hands until it becomes smooth and stretchy, about 5-7 minutes.
• Rest and Rise Cover your dough and let it take a cozy nap, expanding and growing for an hour until it's doubled in size.
• Prepare for Action Heat your oven to a toasty 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Punch down the dough and divide it into four playful sections.
• Create Cheesy Pockets Roll each section into a rope, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Flatten each piece, tuck a cheese cube inside, and seal it up tight like a delicious secret.
• Give a Soda Bath Bring water to a rolling boil and invite baking soda to the party. Dunk your pretzel bites for a quick 20-30 second swim, then rescue them with a slotted spoon.
• Dress and Bake Brush the bites with an egg wash and sprinkle sea salt like magical fairy dust. Bake until they turn a gorgeous golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.
• Final Touch Brush the hot pretzels with melted butter for an extra layer of deliciousness. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce and watch them disappear!

Tips And Tricks For Gooey Cheesy Pretzel Bites With Sea Salt Topping

• Dough Rising Hacks: Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free spot like inside a turned-off oven with the light on for consistent, perfect rising.
• Cheese Variety Magic: Experiment with different cheese types like sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or smoked gouda to create unique flavor profiles.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Freezer-Friendly Tip: Prepare and freeze uncooked pretzel bites for up to 1 month. Thaw and bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to cooking time.
• Low-Carb Twist: Replace wheat flour with almond flour and use low-moisture mozzarella for a keto-friendly version that still delivers incredible cheesy goodness.

Serving Up Gooey Cheesy Pretzel Bites With Sea Salt Topping

• Dip Delight Duo: Pair these cheesy pretzel bites with a classic cheese sauce or zesty ranch dressing for a mouthwatering combo that'll make taste buds dance.
• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange the bites on a rustic wooden board with small dipping bowls, creating an irresistible appetizer spread for game nights or gatherings.
• Snack Time Upgrade: Pack these bites in a lunch box or enjoy as a quick afternoon snack, offering a gourmet twist to ordinary munching moments with their crispy exterior and gooey cheese center.
• Temperature Magic: Serve these pretzels fresh from the oven when the cheese is still melty and the salt crystals glisten, capturing the ultimate flavor and texture experience.

Storage Tips For Gooey Cheesy Pretzel Bites With Sea Salt Topping

• Quick Batch Prep: Make a double batch of pretzel bites and freeze unbaked dough balls for future snacking. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking, storing in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Cooked pretzel bites stay fresh in airtight containers for 2-3 days. Reheat in oven at 350F for 5-7 minutes to restore original crispy texture and warm, gooey cheese center.
• Smart Serving Suggestions: Perfect for game day, movie nights, or potluck gatherings. Pack in lunch boxes with small dipping sauce containers for a fun midday treat. Excellent as appetizers or party finger foods.
• Companion Dip Recommendations: Create complementary cheese dips like spicy beer cheese, classic mustard sauce, or tangy ranch. Rotate dipping sauces to keep the snack experience exciting and varied for different taste preferences.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients List For Gooey Cheesy Pretzel Bites With Sea Salt Topping

• Active Dry Yeast: Awakens the bread's rise, choose fresh with recent expiration date.
• Warm Water: Provides ideal environment for yeast activation, use tepid temperature.
• Granulated Sugar: Feeds yeast and helps promote fermentation, select pure white sugar.

• All-Purpose Flour: Builds pretzel's fundamental texture, pick unbleached variety.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and controls yeast growth, use fine sea salt.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and softness, select high-quality room temperature butter.

• Large Egg: Creates golden sheen and helps seasonings stick, choose fresh farm eggs.
• Sea Salt: Provides crisp, oceanic flavor accent, select coarse flaky variety.
• Cheese Cubes: Creates gooey center surprise, choose firm melting cheeses like cheddar.
• Baking Soda: Develops classic pretzel crust and brown exterior, use fresh unopened package.
• Melted Butter: Adds final glossy, rich finish, select unsalted butter for controlled saltiness.

Irresistible Pretzel Bites

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade gooey cheesy pretzel bites with sea salt deliver comfort and flavor in each golden-brown morsel. Crisp exterior and melted cheese center make these bites perfect for snacking with friends or family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 6 oz (170 g) block cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack), cut into 0.5-inch cubes
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 1 cup warm water (110°F/43°C)
• 2.25 tsps (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 2 tbsps granulated sugar
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 4 cups water
• 0.25 cup baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp coarse sea salt or pretzel salt
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter, melted (for brushing)

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Instructions

1. Yeast Activation: Whisk warm water, yeast, and sugar in a mixing bowl, allowing the mixture to foam and develop for 5 minutes.
2. Dough Formation: Integrate flour, salt, and melted butter into the activated yeast, mixing until a uniform dough emerges.
3. Kneading Process: Vigorously work the dough on a clean surface for 6-8 minutes, cultivating a smooth, elastic consistency.
4. First Proofing: Nestle dough in a lightly oiled bowl, drape with a kitchen towel, and let rise in a warm spot until volume doubles, about 60-75 minutes.
5. Pretzel Preparation: Deflate dough and divide into four segments, rolling each into slender ropes, then cutting into bite-sized pieces.
6. Cheese Filling: Delicately flatten each dough piece, tuck a cheese cube in the center, and meticulously seal edges to prevent leakage.
7. Alkaline Bath: Bring water to a rolling boil, dissolve baking soda, and briefly submerge pretzel bites for 20-30 seconds using a perforated spoon.
8. Pre-Baking Setup: Arrange boiled bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining slight spacing between pieces.
9. Finishing Touches: Lavishly brush with egg wash, sprinkle flaky sea salt, and bake in a 425F (220C) oven until achieving a deep golden-brown hue, approximately 12-15 minutes.
10. Final Garnish: Extract from oven, immediately glaze with melted butter, and serve piping hot alongside dipping sauces like cheese sauce, tangy mustard, or creamy ranch dressing.

Notes

• Activate Yeast Carefully: Ensure water temperature is between 100-110°F to prevent killing the yeast, which is crucial for proper dough rising and texture.
• Seal Cheese Completely: Press dough edges firmly when encasing cheese to prevent leakage during boiling and baking, maintaining a clean, intact pretzel bite.
• Baking Soda Bath Technique: Submerge pretzels precisely 20-30 seconds in alkaline solution to develop that signature pretzel shine and deep brown color without becoming too tough.
• Customize Cheese Options: Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, smoky gouda, or spicy pepper jack to create unique flavor profiles for your pretzel bites.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg