Soft Pretzel Bites With Cheese
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 cups warm water (110°F)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 4.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 10 cups water (for boiling)
- 2/3 cup baking soda
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse sea salt for topping
- 2 tablespoons butter (for cheese sauce)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for cheese sauce)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the warm water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. Add the melted butter, salt, and flour. Mix until a dough forms and pull away from the sides of the bowl.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 30 to 45 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Punch the dough down and turn it onto a flat surface. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope and use a knife to cut the rope into 1-inch bite-sized pieces.
- Bring 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in a large pot. Drop the pretzel bites into the water in small batches for about 30 seconds each. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Brush the top of each pretzel bite with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse salt. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the pretzels turn a deep golden brown.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and melted.