Homemade Soft Pretzels with Cheese is an irresistible snack that will please the whole family! Indulge in the perfect combination of soft, chewy pretzels and gooey melted cheese with this easy recipe. Get ready to experience a burst of cheesy deliciousness with every bite!
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Soft Pretzels with Cheese is a crowd-pleasing snack that is perfect for satisfying cravings, whether it’s a cozy movie night or a gathering with friends. With fluffy pretzels and a generous amount of melty cheese, this recipe is a surefire hit. These soft pretzels with cheese are a must-try for any snack lover.
If you’re looking for more delicious pretzel recipes, try these Air Fryer Pretzel Bites, Caramel Pretzels with Chocolate, and Slow Cooker Party Snack Mix.
Why We Love This Homemade Pretzel Recipe
Soft pretzels with cheese is a delightful combination of fluffy, chewy pretzels and gooey, melted cheese that will satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more. From the ease of preparation to its family-friendly appeal, there are plenty of reasons why this recipe has become a beloved favorite.
- Easy Ingredients: This recipe uses simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry, making it convenient and accessible. With just a handful of items, you can create a delightful batch of soft pretzels.
- Family Friendly: These cheesy pretzels are a hit with the whole family. It’s a snack that brings everyone together, making it perfect for family gatherings, movie nights, or after-school treats.
- Makes Great Leftovers: If you happen to have any leftovers, they can be transformed into delicious snacks. Slice the pretzels for a tasty mini sandwich base or repurpose them as croutons for soups or salads.
Ingredient Notes for Cheese Stuffed Soft Pretzels
- Yeast: Yeast is an essential ingredient in this recipe as it provides the leavening agent that helps the pretzels rise and gives them their characteristic soft and fluffy texture. Active dry yeast will yield the best results for this recipe.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is the go-to choice for this soft pretzel recipe. It provides the right balance of protein and starch, resulting in tender and chewy pretzels.
- Butter: Butter adds richness and flavor to the pretzels. It also helps in creating a soft and golden crust. You can use unsalted butter or salted butter, depending on your preference and you want to melt the butter.
- Cheese: While you can find pre-shredded cheddar cheese in grocery stores, we recommend you shred the cheese yourself from a block of cheese for better flavor and texture.
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
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Variations and Substitutions for Homemade Soft Pretzel
Whether you want to experiment with different cheeses, add a spicy kick, or cater to specific dietary needs, these options will inspire you to create unique and delicious twists on the classic soft pretzel with cheese recipe.
- Different Cheese: Experiment with various types of cheese to find your favorite flavor combination. Pepper jack will add a spicy kick, while Swiss adds a more nutty taste. Sharp cheddar cheese is a popular option for this recipe.
- Adding Spice: For a little heat, try adding chipotle or jalapeno peppers to the pretzel dough. It will give your pretzels a delightful kick and take the flavor to the next level.
How to Make Homemade Soft Pretzel with Cheese
These soft pretzels with cheese are incredibly easy to make, whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner in the kitchen, you’ll be able to whip up these delightful treats with ease.
These are the basic steps for making cheese pretzels. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Step 1: Make Dough
In a large bowl, add the yeast, warm water, butter, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine all ingredients and then let sit for about 5 minutes while the yeast bubbles. Add the flour and shredded cheese and stir to form a cohesive dough. You may need to add additional flour.
Step 2: Knead the Dough and Let Rise
Place dough onto a clean surface and knead for 5 minutes. Put the kneaded dough back in the bowl and cover it with a towel. Place the bowl in a warm spot and let the dough rise for about 20 minutes.
Step 3: Make a Water and Baking Soda Mixture
Place a pot over medium heat and add 4 cups of water. Bring water to a boil and dissolve baking soda in it. Remove the pot from heat and let cool down to a warm temperature.
Step 4: Shape Pretzels
Once the dough is rising, cut it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece of dough into 1-inch thick ropes. Make the rope into the shape of a U take both ends and twist twice at the top. Place the twisted edges at the bottom of the U and press gently to secure.
Step 5: Place Pretzels in Baking Soda Mixture and Bake
Once you have shaped your pretzels, place them in the warm baking soda mixture for about 2 minutes. After soaking place pretzels on a lined baking sheet and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Recipe FAQs to Make Pretzel
Expert Tips for Making This Soft Pretzel with Cheese Recipe
Remember to get creative and make these expert tips your own. Customizing this cheesy soft pretzel recipe with additional ingredients and serving them with complimentary sauces or dips can elevate the overall taste and presentation of the dish.
- Allow Pretzels to Proof: After shaping the pretzels, it’s essential to allow them to proof for a short period of time before baking. Place the shaped pretzels on a baking sheet and let them rest in a warm, draft-free area for about 15 minutes before baking.
- Parmesan Cheese: For added flavor, sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top of the pretzels before baking. The nutty and salty profile of parmesan complements the soft pretzels beautifully.
- Adding Beer: To enhance the flavor of the pretzels, you can replace a portion of the water in the dough recipe with beer. The beer imparts a subtle malty taste and adds complexity to the overall flavor profile.
- Serve with Cheese Sauce for Pretzels: While the pretzels are delicious on their own, serving them with a warm and velvety cheese dip takes them to another level. Prepare a simple cheese sauce by melting your choice of cheese with a bit of milk or cream in a saucepan over low heat.
- Bites: Make into soft pretzel bites with cheese.
What to Serve with Soft Pretzels with Cheese
Soft Pretzels with Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoons Yeast
- 1 cup Warm water, between 90-110F
- 1 tablespoon Butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon White Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 3 cups All-purpose flour, plus additional as needed
- 1 cup Shredded cheese
- 4 cups Water
- 4 tablespoons Baking soda
- Flaked Salt
Instructions
- Mix yeast, warm water, melted butter, sugar, and salt in a big bowl. Stir until the yeast bubbles and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Add 2 and a half cups of flour and 3/4 cup of shredded cheese, and mix well.
- Add more flour as necessary until the dough comes together.
- Take the dough and place it on a clean surface, then proceed to knead it for 5 minutes.
- Return the dough to the bowl, cover it with a fresh kitchen towel, and keep it in a warm area of your kitchen. Let the dough rise until it has doubled in size, which should take approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F.
- Heat 4 cups of water until it boils, then add baking soda and stir until dissolved. Take it off the heat and let it cool down to a slightly warm temperature.
- Shape pretzel dough into 8 equal pieces and then form them into pretzel shapes.
- To make pretzels, first roll each dough segment into ropes that are 1″ thick. Then, form each rope into a U-shape and twist both ends twice at the top. After that, flip the twisted edges to the bottom of the U-shape and press the dough together firmly to hold it in place.
- Dip the shaped pretzels in warm baking soda water for 2 minutes, and then transfer them to a baking sheet that has been lined.
- Spread the remaining cheese over the pretzels and bake them until they turn golden brown, which should take around 8-10 minutes.
Expert Tips
- Allow Pretzels to Proof: After shaping the pretzels, it’s essential to allow them to proof for a short period of time before baking. Place the shaped pretzels on a baking sheet and let them rest in a warm, draft-free area for about 15 minutes before baking.
- Parmesan Cheese: For added flavor, sprinkle grated parmesan cheese on top of the pretzels before baking. The nutty and salty profile of parmesan complements the soft pretzels beautifully.
- Adding Beer: To enhance the flavor of the pretzels, you can replace a portion of the water in the dough recipe with beer. The beer imparts a subtle malty taste and adds complexity to the overall flavor profile.
- Serve with Cheese Sauce: While the pretzels are delicious on their own, serving them with a warm and velvety cheese dip takes them to another level. Prepare a simple cheese sauce by melting your choice of cheese with a bit of milk or cream in a saucepan over low heat.