Print

Cheddar Jalapeno Pretzel Bites Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 462 reviews

Cheddar Jalapeno Pretzel Bites are a deliciously savory snack featuring soft pretzel dough stuffed with melty cheddar cheese and spicy jalapeno slices. Perfectly boiled in a baking soda bath and then baked to golden perfection, these pretzel bites combine a chewy exterior with a gooey cheesy center and a kick of heat from jalapenos, making them an irresistible treat for gatherings or anytime snacking.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 4 to 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 envelope Fleischmann’s® RapidRise Yeast (about 2 ¼ teaspoons)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten (for brushing)
  • Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling

Filling

  • 6 cheddar cheese sticks, cut into cubes
  • ½ cup jarred jalapeno slices, roughly chopped

Boiling Bath

  • ⅓ cup baking soda

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of the all-purpose flour, sugar, undissolved yeast, and salt. Warm the milk, water, and oil together until very warm, about 120° to 130°F. Stir the warm liquid mixture into the flour mixture. Gradually add enough of the remaining flour to form a soft dough. Knead the dough on a floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic, around 4 to 6 minutes. Cover the dough with a towel and let it rest on the floured surface for 10 minutes.
  2. Shape the Pretzel Bites: Divide the rested dough into 6 equal sections. Roll each section into a rope approximately 12 inches long, then cut the ropes into 2-inch pieces. Take each piece of dough and roll it into a ball, then flatten slightly. Place one cube of cheddar cheese and about ½ teaspoon of chopped jalapenos in the center. Pinch the dough edges around the filling to seal it completely and gently roll back into a ball. Cover the prepared bites with a towel and allow them to rest.
  3. Boil the Pretzel Bites: Fill a large pot with 2 inches of water and bring it to a rolling boil. Carefully add ⅓ cup of baking soda into the boiling water—it will bubble and foam. Add 6 pretzel bites at a time to the boiling water and boil for 30 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat until all pretzel bites have been boiled. Then transfer all to a greased baking sheet.
  4. Brush and Season: Brush each pretzel bite generously with the beaten eggs to give them a glossy finish. Sprinkle coarse sea salt over the top for that classic pretzel flavor.
  5. Bake the Pretzel Bites: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Bake the pretzel bites for 8 to 13 minutes or until they are golden brown on the outside. Remove from the oven and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
  6. Storage and Reheating: Store any leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 weeks. To reheat, microwave frozen pretzel bites for 30 to 60 seconds until warm.

Notes

  • Be sure to seal the dough well around the cheese and jalapenos to avoid leaks during boiling.
  • The baking soda bath is essential for forming the pretzel’s characteristic chewy crust and brown color after baking.
  • Use coarse sea salt for the best texture and flavor contrast on top of the pretzel bites.
  • Adjust the amount of jalapenos to suit your preferred heat level or substitute with other spicy peppers.
  • These pretzel bites can be made ahead and frozen; just reheat before serving for fresh taste.

Keywords: pretzel bites, cheddar pretzels, jalapeno pretzels, savory snack, party appetizer, baking soda bath pretzels

Find it online: https://cookwithyana.com/cheddar-jalapeno-pretzel-bites-recipe/