After traveling 2150 miles over the past few days, all I really wanted to do yesterday was go for a nice, long run to stretch my legs and get my body back in alignment!
As soon as I woke, however, I realized that I had caught the cold that my husband and adorable niece had been fighting over the weekend. It’s hard to run when walking across the house makes you start coughing!
So, what did I do instead? Make pretzel bites and cheese! Basically the same thing as exercising. . . Chewy on the outside and soft on the inside, pretzel bites are a great snack.
Dip them in a creamy, cheddar cheese sauce that has a spicy kick from jalapeno peppers and you can munch away all afternoon!
While pretzel bites take a little extra work compared to the large, regular pretzels, I think they are more fun to dip and eat.
If you prefer to make big pretzels, just take the 8 pieces of dough, make them into one pretzel each and extend the cooking time.
Pretzel Bites with Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Yield: about 13 dozen bites
Ingredients
- For the Pretzel Bites
- 1 1/2 C warm water
- 2 tbsp light brown sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 6 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 1/2 -5 C all-purpose flour
- 1/4 C baking soda
- 3 quarts water
- 1 egg white
- 1 tbsp cold water
- coarse salt
- For the Cheese Sauce
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3/4 C milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1 large jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 C cheddar cheese (I used a combination of regular and sharp cheddar)
Directions
- Combine water, sugar, yeast, and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix until combined. Let sit 5 minutes.
- Add the salt and 4 1/2 cups flour and mix on low-speed (using dough hook) until combined. Increase the speed to medium and continue mixing until dough is smooth and begins to pull away from the side of the bowl. This will probably take about 3-4 minutes. If dough appears too wet, add more flour a tablespoon at a time.
- Remove the dough from bowl, place on a flat, floured surface and knead into a ball.
- Coat a bowl with olive oil, add the dough and roll to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap, place in a warm draft-free spot and allow to rise until doubled in size. While dough is rising, preheat oven to 425.
- Bring water to boil in a large sauce pan, add baking soda.
- Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Divide dough into eight equal pieces.Roll each piece into a rope about 22 inches long. Cut dough into about 1/2-1 inch pieces.
- Boil the pieces in the water solution in small batches, about 10-15 at a time. Boil for about 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon.
- Place pretzel bites on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray or lined with a baking mat. Try to keep the bites from touching. Brush the tops with the egg wash and sprinkle with salt.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack for cool for 5 minutes before eating.
- To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in the milk, garlic powder, white pepper, salt, and jalapeno pepper, and cook until slightly thickened, about 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat, stir in the cheese until smooth and all of the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
This recipe is linked with Pin It Thursday, Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Taste and Tell Thursdays, Trick or Treat Tuesday, Two Cup Tuesdays, Weekend Potluck, What’s Cookin’ Wednesday, What’s in Your Kitchen Wednesday.
Ramona says
This could seriously become my new snack addiction!! They look fantastic! I hope you feel better and that cold goes away quickly.
katie says
These pretzels look to die-for. I definitely want to give them a try now that I know how to work with yeast!
Tanya says
Jessica, I absolutely love this appetizer!!! It has so many of my favorite things! Can’t wait to try it!!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Sorry you’re sick! Hope you had like 10 servings of this though – they look heavenly, especially with that cheese sauce – YUM!
Elaine @ Cooking to Perfection says
I love pretzel bites, but I’ve never made them myself! These would be great for a party or entertaining…or just eating myself. 🙂
Tracey says
Hope you feel better soon, colds are the pits! I love pretzel bites, they’re the best snack! I haven’t made any in ages, and now I’m craving them 🙂
Amy | Amy's Cooking Adventures says
These look amazing!! Definitely going to make these next time I have company!
Emily @ She Makes and Bakes says
I love love love soft pretzels, and these look awesome. I hope you feel better soon!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
These look just fabulous Jessica! Pinned!
sarah k @ the pajama chef says
pretzel bites…or running. tough call! these look perfect. i love the cheese dip too 🙂
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says
These look so good and I am a HUGE fan of pretzels. I can just pop these suckers in my mouth so quickly!
Autumn@Good Eats Girl says
Pretzel bites are one of my faves! YUM! Hope you are feeling better!
Carla @ Carlas Confections says
Oh my goodness that looks oh so incredible!!! <3 I hope you feel better soon too! I just got over the cold so I know how you feel. Not fun 🙁
Nicole @ youngbrokeandhungry says
Cheese sauce and pretzels are my weakness! I have never tried making them at home though but I am excited to!
Michelle says
OH, those look so yummy! I love the jalapeno cheddar cheese sauce!
Ashley says
Love how fun these look! I think I need to try making pretzel bites now that I’ve made regular pretzels. And that jalapeno cheese sauce sounds awesome!
Steph@Been There Baked That says
These look incredible!
Lori @ A Bright and Beautiful Life says
Yum. Pretzels and cheese. Two of my favorites. I’ve never made pretzels before but they pretty simple to make. I’m pinning this and am going to make them SOON. Thanks for posting. By the way, I found you at the Kitchen Meets Girl link party. Have a great day.
Jess @ OnSugarMountain says
Holy pretzel bites batman! These look just like my favorite ones from Auntie Anne’s 😀
Pamela says
YES, I will be making these, the kids will love these! Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe!
amy @ fearless homemaker says
Oh wow, these look AMAZING! And much more fun than going for a run, if you ask me. 😉
Cassie says
This sauce sounds amazing, Jessica. I will always go for pretzels and cheese!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Oh my goodness, YES. These look amazing, Jessica! Love the jalapeno cheese sauce!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
So on my list of things to make, these turned out so pretty Jessica!
Kari@Loaves n Dishes says
The only thing wrong with bites, is that I don’t know when to stop eating. I’ll end up eating the whole yummy bowl full and then drinking the cheesy dip!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I have been dreaming about homemade pretzels for ever now! These look amazing. Glad you’re home safe, but sorry you’re sick!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
Oh no. I hope your cold goes away quickly! At least you have these pretzel bites? They look awesome! And with cheddar sauce?! Oh my gosh.
Allison Day says
Soft pretzel bites are totally a guilty pleasure for me, although in my world they’ve always come from a certain shopping mall food shop. I really do think it’s about time I venture into making them at home… especially when there’s that jalapeno cheddar cheese sauce to motivate me. 😀
Abby says
haha I love spicy foods when I’m sick, I feel you girl I go to wasabi, but now I’m saying yes to this jalapeno cheese sauce. I’ve been dying to try making pretzels, you have me inspired by these delicious little bites.
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
Every time I see homemade pretzels or pretzel bites, I ask myself why I haven’t made these yet. Yours look wonderful!
Bree says
I think these are a dream come true-yum!
Jen @ Savory Simple says
I think I could eat these every day!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
Dear god i want 100.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
This cheese sauce slays me!!!!
Ashlee says
This seriously looks incredible!! Can’t wait to try it!
Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies says
YES PLEASE! This sounds super amazing and with a total I-wish-I-was-in-middle-school-again level of comfort, but without being middle school concession stand quality haha!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
Now I know what I need for lunch! These look fabulous!
Amber (Sprinkled With Flour) says
I can’t tell you how much I love these, seriously! I’m going to have to make these…soon. 🙂
a farmer in the dell says
this looks delicious and dangerous at the same time! I think I just found my new addiction! yum
Erika @ The Hopeless Housewife says
Don’t these look amazing! I would love for you to link them up with us over at The Hopeless Housewife!
Words Of Deliciousness says
What a great snack. I have made pretzels once, but they didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to. After seeing your post I really want to try again.
kale says
4 words. jalapeno. cheddar. cheese. sauce.
heck yeah baby!!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
Oh, that cheese sauce! I think I could swim in it!
Jennie @themessybakerblog.com says
You are my hero for making these. Oh my, I love everything about them. Bookmarked. Get well soon!
anne says
oh wow, super yummy idea!! anne
Ruthie says
Your photo is beautiful! I’m such a carb lover 🙂 I’d love to have you come and share at Super Saturday Show & Tell today 🙂 xoxo~ Ruthie http://whatscookingwithruthie.com
Nicole says
I have been totally obsessed with making my own pretzels lately … So Good! The cheesy dip looks super yummy.
Jackie @ Domestic Fits says
I love everything about this. Jalapeno Cheese sauce on everything!
Shannon says
These look wonderful! I am always looking for a great snack for the children(and my husband & I too):)
Thank you so much for sharing! I am visiting from the Pint Sized Bakers link party!
Karly says
I can not even stand these. They’re too perfect.
Christy @ My Invisible Crown says
I’m dying to make pretzel bites. I don’t know why I haven’t tried already. They seem pretty simple and super delicious. The jalapeno cheddar is a huge bonus!
Emily @ Sweet Bella Roos says
Yummmmm! I wish I had some right now. Would love for you to come link up at my Pin It Thursday party http://www.sweetbellaroos.com/2013/02/14/pin-it-thursday-22/
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
Oh these look so yummy! You were quite ambitious for being sick with a cold…usually I just try to hold down the couch 🙂
Jenn@slim-shoppin says
OK, I gave up chips for lent, but these wouldn’t count – right – since I’m making them from scratch!
I’ve made pretzels before, but not the bites – my kids would gobble these up!
thanks for the recipe
Tammy Northrup says
I love anything with jalapeno and have never made my own pretzels. Definitely pinning this to try.
Sarah @ Miss CandiQuik says
oh my word – I’m in love…these are right up my alley.
Audra | The Baker Chick says
Oh yum! I absolutely love soft pretzels dipped in spicy cheese sauce- but I’ve never actually made them myself. Great recipe! 🙂
the fat lady says
They look so good and this is one of my fav snack… cant wait to try it…
Amber says
Oh my goodness!!! I have made many different recipes for soft pretzels and pretzel bites but have never ever had one turn out nearly as good as this one did! I absolutely love it. And the cheese dip…holy yum. I am so happy and excited because soft pretzels are my favorite “junk food”. Thank you thank you!
Jessica@A Kitchen Addiction says
Thanks Amber! I’m so glad you liked them!