Print

Easy Homemade Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese Dip

easy homemade pretzel bites with beer cheese dip - featured image
Print Recipe

These easy homemade pretzel bites are soft, chewy, and perfectly salted, paired with a creamy beer cheese dip that’s sharp, rich, and just boozy enough. Perfect for game day or any snack attack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F-115°F)
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
  • 2 teaspoons fine sea salt or table salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • ⅓ cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)
  • Coarse sea salt or pretzel salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for beer cheese dip)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for beer cheese dip)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup beer (amber ale or stout recommended)
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon mustard powder (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add melted butter, salt, and 2 cups of flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined, then gradually add remaining 2 cups of flour, one cup at a time, until dough pulls away from sides of bowl.
  3. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 45 minutes to 1 hour until doubled in size.
  5. Punch down dough, divide into 4 equal pieces. Roll each into a 12-14 inch rope, then cut into 1-inch pieces (about 40-50 total).
  6. Fill a large pot with 8 cups of water and add baking soda. Bring to a rolling boil. Drop pretzel bites in (8-10 at a time) and boil for 30 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon and transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet.
  7. Brush each pretzel bite with egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse salt.
  8. Preheat oven to 425°F. Bake pretzel bites for 12-15 minutes until deep golden brown, rotating pan halfway through.
  9. While pretzels bake, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 2 tablespoons flour and cook for 1 minute.
  10. Slowly pour in milk and beer, whisking constantly. Cook until thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  11. Reduce heat to low, add shredded cheddar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and mustard powder. Stir until cheese is melted and dip is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Notes

Don’t skip the baking soda bath—it creates the iconic pretzel crust. Use room temperature ingredients. Shred your own cheese for smooth dip. Boil for exactly 30 seconds to avoid toughness. For variations, try everything bagel seasoning or add jalapeños to the dip.

Nutrition

Keywords: pretzel bites, beer cheese dip, game day snack, homemade pretzels, easy appetizer

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/easy-homemade-pretzel-bites-with-beer-cheese-dip/