Soft Pretzel Bites with Cheese Dip

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (about 110°F)
• 1 packet (2 ¼ teaspoons) active dry yeast
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup baking soda
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.
2. Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough begins to form. You may need to switch to using your hands when the dough gets too thick for a spoon.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
5. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release excess air and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 1 inch thick.
7. Cut each rope into 1-inch pieces to form your pretzel bites.
8. In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil and add the baking soda. Carefully add a few pretzel bites to the boiling water for about 30 seconds, then remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
9. Brush the tops of the pretzel bites with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
11. While the pretzel bites are baking, prepare the cheese dip. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, then whisk in the flour until smooth.
12. Gradually add the milk, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens. Once thickened, add the shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
13. Remove the pretzel bites from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving with warm cheese dip.

Nutrition