Cheese Pretzel Bites

These homemade stuffed Cheese Pretzel Bites are the kind of handheld snack that will take you from family movie night to casual gatherings. Kids love them, making them a fun family project to make together.

Ingredients to Make Cheese Pretzel Bites Recipe

While this recipe takes several steps to make, none of the ingredients or gadgets are specialized other than your standard kitchen tools. You’ll never want another one of those mall pretzels once you make your own at home. Ingredients to make Cheese Stuffed Soft Pretzel Bites: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

•  Whole Milk: Warm milk forms the base for blooming the yeast.
• Granulated Sugar: White sugar feeds the yeast and helps it to develop.
• Yeast: One 1/4 ounce packet of rapid rise yeast.
• All Purpose Flour: All purpose flour for the pretzel dough.
• Butter: Melted salted butter to brush the pretzel bites.
• Salt: Seasons the dough.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Cut into 48 equal cubes.
• Water and Baking Soda: For boiling the pretzel dough transforming it into the pretzel flavor.
• Egg Wash: One large egg beaten with water to brush the pretzel bites prior to baking.
• Sea Salt: Coarse sea salt for sprinkling on the pretzels.

How to Make the BEST Cheese Pretzel Bites Recipe

These cheesy pretzel bites make a spectacular appetizer to make for family pizza night. Have these homemade pretzels ready for snacking to keep the family happy while they work. 

• Bloom Yeast – Pour milk into a large mixing bowl. Add sugar, stirring until dissolved. Sprinkle the yeast over the milk mixture. Let stand 5-10 minutes until frothy. If it doesn’t foam, throw it out and start over. (Warm milk is being used in place of warm water).
• Flour – Add 2 1/2 cups flour, butter and salt. Stir until fully combined.
• Knead the Dough – Turn out onto a floured surface. Knead until a soft dough forms, adding additional flour as needed. Dough should remain slightly sticky.
• Let Rise – Use vegetable oil to lightly grease a large mixing bowl. Add pretzel dough to bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
• Heat Oven and Prepare Pans – Preheat oven to 450°F. Spray two large baking sheets with cooking spray.
• Divide Dough – Punch dough down. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough into 8 portions.
• Roll Dough Into Ropes – Roll each to a 12-inch rope. Cut each rope into 6 portions. Flatten each portion to a 3-inch circle.
• Cheese – Top each circle with one cube of cheese. Bring up edges of each circle around cheese and pinch to seal and shape into a ball.
• Boil Pretzels in a Baking Soda Bath for the Real Pretzel Flavor and Taste – Add baking soda to a large pot of water and bring it to a rolling boil.
• Cook – Use a slotted spoon to carefully lower pretzel balls in batches, into the soda mixture, cooking for 10 seconds each. Remove and place on paper towels to dry.
• Egg Wash – Arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Brush pretzels balls with egg wash. Sprinkle with sea salt.
• Oven – Bake cheese pretzel bites per the recipe until golden brown.

Tips for Making Pretzel Bites

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: A stand mixer or a heavy duty mixer capable of making bread dough (If not kneading by hand), large bowl, measuring cups, tablespoons, teaspoons and bowls, a large deep pot at least 4 quarts or larger pot for boiling the pretzel dough, a nonstick surface or silicone pastry mat to assemble the cheese stuffed dough. A sharp knife to cube the cheese, and a stainless steel spider for lifting dough rounds from the boiling water, a pastry brush for applying the egg wash and a baking sheet.
• Gather the Ingredients to Make the Process Smooth: This may seem like a no-brainer, but I find it helpful to gather all the ingredients before beginning the process of making the pretzel bites.
• Check the Date on the Yeast: Start with fresh yeast. You can use active dry yeast, but the pretzel dough will take longer to proof. Be patient and give it time to bloom. If, after waiting 10 minutes there’s no action, throw it out and start again.
• Measure the Flour Accurately: When measuring the flour for this or any recipe, always spoon the flour into the measuring cup, then level. If you scoop the flour using the measuring cup, the flour can become compacted and you’ll end up with a dry dough.
• Use Fresh Flour: Just the same as when you’re baking homemade bread, use fresh flour for the best flavor.
• What’s the Difference Between Bread Dough into Pretzel Dough? The major difference is a water bath with baking soda. Baking soda changes the alkalinity of the water and impacts the browning of the pretzel dough when baked. It’s essential, don’t skip it.
• Serving Suggestions: How do you serve Pretzel Bites? While these are stuffed with cheese, you can serve them with a beer cheese sauce, warmed pizza sauce or bacon ranch dressing for dipping.

Recipe Variations

• Sweet Pretzel Variations: You may opt to skip the salt and toss these pretzels in melted butter and a cinnamon-sugar mixture
• Seasonings: Use grated Parmesan cheese and garlic powder or Cajun seasoning for Creole pretzels. Everything bagel seasoning is another delicious flavor.
• Cheese: Can you use a different cheese? Of course! Any flavor of cheese that you enjoy, will work.  Please use “real” cheese cubes which are superior in flavor.
• Dough: If there’s no time to make the dough from scratch, you can use store-bought pizza dough.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: Store Cheese Stuffed Pretzel Bites in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat homemade pretzels gently in the microwave.
• Freezer: You can store cheese pretzel bites in the freezer. Cool them completely and pop them into a freezer-safe container and freeze. They’ll keep frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Pretzels and Bread Recipes to Make

• Best ever Soft Pretzels can be sprinkled with coarse salt or cinnamon and sugar for a sweet twist.
• Chewy on the outside, soft on the inside Dutch Oven Artisan White Bread will rival any at your local bakery.
• Soft and sweet Cinnamon Swirl Raisin Bread.
• Slather this warm Potato Bread loaf with sweet cream butter or toast it and enjoy a piece or two, for breakfast.
• Irish Soda Bread is the perfect side for a bowl of soup or stew. It’s made for sopping up what’s left in the bowl.
• Pretzel Rolls recipe from Food Network Kitchen.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Sheet Pan
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Set
• Large Pot