Homemade Pretzel Bites with a creamy cheddar cheese dipping sauce are your new favorite appetizer. Poppable and super addicting, these homemade pretzel bites will go fast! They’re perfect for sharing!

Love pretzels? Fill up my Pretzel Rolls with your favorite sandwich fillings, and for dessert, my Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles are a must!

pretzel bites on white tray with homemade cheese sauce

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    Homemade Pretzel Bites

    There is seriously nothing better than a homemade soft pretzel. Especially when it’s in bite-sized form. These homemade pretzel bites with cheese sauce are poppable and totally addicting. They make an awesome party appetizer or a fun snack for kids! They come out golden brown and chewy on the outside and buttery and tender on the inside. Best of all it is served with an amazing Homemade Cheese Sauce!

    These pretzel bites do take some prep time but are totally worth the effort. They are not as hard to make at home then you would think!

    I made these bites with fast-acting yeast so you only need about 10 minutes of rising time. You can substitute active dry yeast just make sure to add an extra hour of time to allow the dough to rise.

    Now for the cheese sauce! (Which is my favorite part!) It’s thick, creamy, and only requires 4 ingredients: Butter, flour, milk, and cheese. That’s it! For a little kick add a couple of splashes of hot sauce or cayenne pepper. You can even dice up some jalapeños and add them in. If you are making these for a party I would suggest making the cheese sauce and serving it in a dip warmer!

    Best of all everything you need to make these easy pretzel bites are pantry staples! Here’s what you’ll need:

    What are pretzel bites made of?

    Pretzel Bites

    • Yeast and water: I add fast-acting yeast to warm water to activate it. The water should be optimally 100°F for the yeast to foam and work properly.
    • Salt: Salt seasons the dough.
    • Sugar: Light brown sugar adds a little sweetness and also is what the yeast will feed on to grow.
    • Flour: Plain, all-purpose flour is perfect for this recipe!
    • Butter: I love how buttery these pretzel bites taste! If needed, you could substitute the butter for olive oil, however, the taste would just not be the same!
    • Baking soda: The pretzel bites are boiled in water with baking soda. This helps to make them chewy, just like soft pretzels.
    • Egg: Egg wash is brushed over the pretzel bites to turn a beautiful golden-brown color.

    Cheese Sauce

    • Butter: This cheese sauce is kind of like bechamel. The butter is key to its buttery taste!
    • Flour: All-purpose flour thickens the cheese sauce up.
    • Milk: Milk makes this cheese sauce so creamy. You can use whichever kind of milk you prefer!
    • Cheese: I like to add shredded cheddar cheese. It’s sharp and makes the sauce taste super cheesy. The perfect partner for soft pretzel bites!
    • Seasoning: Just a little salt and pepper! Season this sauce to suit your own taste.

    How do you make easy Pretzel Bites?

    • Proof yeast: Add yeast and water to a stand mixer with the dough hook attached or a large bowl if mixing by hand. Stir and allow to rest for 1 minute.
    • Make the dough: Add salt, sugar, and butter to the stand mixer and stir until combined. Add in flour, 1 cup at a time on low speed. If the dough is still sticking to the bottom add more flour. I do a tablespoon at a time.

    adding flour to stand mixer

    • Knead the dough: For 5 minutes in the stand mixer. (If you do not have a stand mixer knead by hand)

    forming dough into a ball

    • Rise: Shape into a ball and place the dough in a large bowl lightly coated in oil. Cover with a kitchen towel and place in a warm area for 10 minutes.

    dough in stand mixer

    • Preheat the oven: To 425°F. Line two large baking sheets with silicone baking mats. Set aside.
    • Cut out the dough: Start by cutting the dough into 6 sections. Roll each section into a long rope. (About 20 inches long). Cut into 1 1/2 inch bite-size pieces.

    pretzel dough cut into pieces on wooden cutting board

    cutting pretzel bites into pieces

    pretzel bites on baking sheet lined with parchment paper

    • Boil pretzels: Boil 9 cups of water with the baking soda. Drop 8-10 pretzel bites into the water at a time making sure not to overcrowd. Cook for 20 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Make sure the bites aren’t touching.

    boiling pretzel bites in baking soda water

    • Egg Wash: Combine the egg and water and whisk until combined. Brush egg wash over each pretzel bite.

    brushing egg wash onto pretzel bites

    • Bake: Sprinkle with sea salt and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

    baked pretzel bites on baking sheet lined with parchment paper

    • Cool: Remove from the oven and allow them to cool for a couple of minutes on the pan.
    • Serve: Warm with cheese sauce and enjoy!

    How to make Homemade Cheese Sauce

    Start by melting butter in a medium saucepan. Add in flour and whisk until combined. Continue to whisk for 1 minute. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Take off the heat and stir in cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    cheese sauce in white saucepan

    Variations

    How to store this soft pretzel bites recipe?

    I think these pretzel bites are best served immediately or eaten the day of. Store these pretzel bites in the freezer or at room temperature versus the refrigerator to avoid becoming soggy. Eat them within 1 or 2 days for the best results. They can always be rewarmed in the microwave, toaster oven, or regular conventional oven.

    Can you freeze pretzel bites?

    Yes! Store in an airtight container for up to 2 months. To reheat simply thaw in the fridge overnight and re toast in the oven or warm back up in the microwave.

    What is a pretzel bite?

    A pretzel bite is a bite-sized piece of soft pretzel dough that is boiled and then baked. It’s chewy and salty. They’re so delicious and perfect for sharing!

    pretzel bites on white plate with cheese sauce

    Here are more Easy Appetizer Recipes to make!

    Homemade Pretzel Bites

    4.88 from 8 votes
    Rate Print
    Homemade Pretzel Bites with a creamy cheddar cheese dipping sauce! Popable and super addicting these homemade pretzel bites will go fast!
    Servings: 60 bites
    Prep Time: 1 hour
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

    Ingredients 

    Homemade Pretzel Bites

    Cheese Sauce

    Instructions 

    Homemade Pretzel Bites

    • Add yeast and water to a stand mixer with the dough hook attached or a large bowl if mixing by hand. Stir and allow to rest for 1 minute.
    • Add salt, sugar and butter to the stand mixer and stir until combined.
    • Add in flour, 1 cup at a time on low speed. If dough is still sticking to the bottom add more flour. I do a tablespoon at a time.
    • Knead the dough for 5 minutes in the stand mixer. (If you do not have a stand mixer knead by hand)
    • Shape into a ball and place the dough in a large bowl lightly coated in oil.
    • Cover with a kitchen towel and place in a warm area for 10 minutes.
    • Preheat oven to 425°F. Line two large baking sheets with silicone baking mats. Set aside.
    • Cut dough into 6 sections.
    • Roll each section into a long rope. (About 20 inches long)
    • Cut into 1 1/2 inch bite size pieces.
    • Boil 9 cups of water with the baking soda.
    • Drop 8-10 pretzel bites into the water at a time making sure not to over crowd. Cook for 20 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Make sure the bites aren't touching.
    • Combine the egg and water and whisk until combined.
    • Brush egg wash over each pretzel bite.
    • Sprinkle with sea salt and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
    • Remove from the oven and allow them to cool for a couple of minutes on the pan.
    • Serve with cheese sauce and enjoy!

    Cheese Sauce

    • Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Add in flour and whisk until combined. Continue to whisk for 1 minute.
      Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Take off of the heat and stir in cheese.
      Season with salt and pepper to taste.

    Notes

    Adapted from Sallys Baking Addiction

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 60kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 2gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 366mgPotassium: 23mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 70IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.5mg

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