These Hot Pretzel Nuggets with Cheddar Cheese Sauce are chewy and salty and perfect for game day!
The countdown to the Super Bowl is on guys! Are you getting excited?? Did your team make it to the big game? Mine didn’t, but I’m still excited, not so much for the actual game, but for all the tasty food that will be served during the game. (and for the commercials of course!) These Hot Pretzel Nuggets with Cheddar Cheese Sauce have made it to every Super Bowl Party since I can remember. They’re always a winner!
I mean come on guys, who doesn’t like a warm, homemade pretzel nugget dipped in cheese? These nuggets are the perfect football game watching finger food! They’re chewy and salty and go perfectly with your favorite beer. I like mine dipped in yellow mustard, but Tom likes them with mustard AND cheese sauce. And since the cheddar cheese sauce takes less than 10 minutes to whip up, Tom says it’s a must!
You will need to take into account a little rising time (2 hours), but otherwise these pretzels are so easy to prepare. And that’s coming from someone who is somewhat challenged when it comes to baking with yeast. So put these on your Super Bowl menu friends, I guarantee they’ll be a winner at your house too! Have a great weekend and hope to see you back at the BHK next week! I’ve got more delicious Valentine treats in store that you won’t want to miss!
Ingredients
- 1 cup warm water 100 - 110 degrees
- 2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast one packet
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 Tbsp. light brown sugar packed
- 1 Tbsp. kosher salt
- 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter softened
- vegetable oil for bowl
- 8 cups water
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- pretzel salt or coarse kosher salt for sprinkling
- Cheddar Cheese Sauce:
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 8 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together warm water and yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. If your mixture doesn't foam, start again with new yeast.
- In a small bowl whisk together flour, brown sugar and kosher salt.
- Add flour mixture and butter to the yeast mixture. Stir until well combined.
- After dough has come together, knead the dough on a very lightly floured surface until smooth, about 8 minutes.
- Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl (or sprayed with non-stick cooking spray). Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise at room temperature for 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place racks in upper and lower third of oven.
- Punch dough down and divide into 4 equal pieces. Form each piece into 4 balls. Roll each ball into a long rope and cut each rope into 1-2 inch nuggets, and place on parchment lined baking sheets.
- In a large 5 quart pot, bring 8 cups of water and 1/2 cup baking soda to a boil.
- Add 12 nuggets at a time to boiling water and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from pot with a slotted spoon and place on parchment lined sheets.
- Immediately sprinkle nuggets with pretzel salt.
- Repeat with remaining nuggets.
- Bake pretzels for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Transfer to wire racks to cool.
- For the cheese Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt 2 Tbsp. butter over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Slowly whisk in the milk and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, about 4-5 minutes.
- Lower the heat and add the cheese and cayenne pepper. Whisk until the cheese is melted and smooth.
Pretzel recipe adapted from Epicurious
My new team (gotta cheer for the new homestate) made it to the super bowl, so I’m kind of excited for that. Sorry yours didn’t make it though, Mary Ann. I am a sucker for all things pretzel and these bites look fantastic! Love anything bite sized!! And that cheese sauce, yea I want to swim in it! This is football food at its best! Pinned! Cheers, friend!
Thanks Cheyanne! Go Panthers!
Who doesn’t like a warm, homemade pretzel nugget dipped in cheese? NO ONE, I tell you! Or at least no sane person! :P These look divine, Mary Ann!
Thanks Lauren! Tom can’t get enough of these!
I’m sorry your team didn’t make it to the Super Bowl, Mary Ann. I sure am excited that my Panthers will be in San Francisco for the big game! We are going crazy down here in #PanthersNation! These pretzel nuggets look like the perfect addition to a game day menu! I’ve never made pretzels before and had no idea that they’re so easy! I’m with Tom on the cheese – it’s totally necessary!
Congrats on the Panthers Rachelle! They are definitely worth the effort!
I am so making these for the Superbowl this year. And you married a smart man – you gotta have the cheese!
Great Cathy! Enjoy!
Love these – they are so FUN, Mary Ann. Pretzel and cheese dip and football – perfect trifecta. Pinning to make for the Super Bowl and they’d be good for Oscar night too!
Great idea Geraldine!! Enjoy your weekend!
Is it sad that I have no idea who is going to the Superbowl? haha!
But, I would gladly steal this tray of pretzels and dip all for myself. I’m kind of greedy when it comes to carbs.
Super Bowl is all about the food in my book Nicole!
Our team didn’t make it either (rather my husband’s team .. I’m just along for the ride!). I know that these would make him happy though on game day. I’ll surprise him!
Sounds like a great plan Jennifer!
oh man, these look amazing! I’m so making these this weekend, yum!
Great Heather! Enjoy! Thanks so much for commenting!
Awesome recipe!
Thanks Jessica! You should give these a try!
Oh, Mary Ann, these look awesome! Pretzels are one of my favorites and I just love how you made them bite-size. The ultimate snack food :) Have a great weekend!!
Thanks so much Jessica! Bite size means we can eat more!! Enjoy your weekend too!
NO WAY! I need these STAT! They look absolutely magical Mary Ann! When we visit the USA, we always get our pretzel fix. I just LOVE these pretzel nuggets and that cheddar cheese sauce – my word!
Thanks Jess! Pretzels are definitely popular here. It’s one of our favorite snacks!
Nothing beats a salty pretzel with that irresistible creamy cheese sauce! These look like the perfect snack, Mary! Great recipe! :D
I totally agree Kennedy! Thanks so much for the comment! Enjoy your weekend!
I absolutely love homemade pretzels, but have never made them in bite size pieces! These are awesome!
Thanks so much Megan! I think you’ll really love them!!
I with you on the game….I’m all in it for the food and commercials! I’ve never made pretzels or pretzel bites! They look so delicious! Enjoy the game (and the food) :)
Thanks Kathy! You too!
Mary Ann, these are the most perfect little bites! I think I would devour them all… hoarding the cheese sauce all to my self! The football doesn’t matter to me… it’s all about the food! But, we won’t be watching this year anyway (I am just fine with that), but I’ll be drooling over all the fabulous eats across the blog-o-sphere! Delicious my dear!
I’ve seen so much delicious game day food, I think I may need to go on a diet shortly after the game! Thanks for the comment Traci and enjoy your week!
These look amazing! I’m a huge fan of pretzels especially homemade ones!
Thanks Katie! You should give them a go!