Homemade Pretzel with Cheese

Sink your teeth into the ultimate comfort food with these soft and pillowy Homemade Pretzels with Cheese! Perfectly golden-brown with a signature salty crust, these pretzels are boiled in a baking soda bath for that authentic chewy texture before baking to perfection in just 12-14 minutes. Paired with a creamy, velvety cheddar cheese sauce made from scratch, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between savory and indulgent. Whether you're hosting a game day gathering or simply craving a satisfying snack, these homemade pretzels are a crowd-pleasing treat that’s easier to make than you might think. Follow the simple steps to knead, twist, and bake your way to pretzel bliss, all in under two hours. Perfect for sharing (or enjoying solo), this recipe brings the classic pretzel shop experience straight to your kitchen!

Nutriscore Rating: 50/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2.25 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 0.6667 cup baking soda
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons coarse salt
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine 1.5 cups of warm water and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Sprinkle 2.25 teaspoons of active dry yeast on top and let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy.

Step 2

Add in 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter. Mix until the dough starts to form.

Step 3

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. If it's too sticky, add a little more flour.

Step 4

Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl, covering it with a damp cloth. Allow it to rise in a warm area until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.

Step 5

Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 6

In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water and 2/3 cup baking soda to a boil.

Step 7

Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 24 inches, and twist into a pretzel shape.

Step 8

Gently place each pretzel into the boiling water for about 30 seconds using a slotted spoon. Remove and place them onto the prepared baking sheets.

Step 9

In a small bowl, beat 1 egg yolk with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush this over each pretzel and sprinkle with coarse salt.

Step 10

Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 11

For the cheese sauce, in a medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.

Step 12

Add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, stirring constantly for about 1 minute.

Step 13

Gradually whisk in 1 cup of milk and cook until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.

Step 14

Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and melted.

Step 15

Serve the warm pretzels with the cheese sauce. Enjoy your delicious homemade pretzels with cheese!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1559.8 grams (1559.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3139

Total Fat 119.90g	154%
Saturated Fat 66.30g	332%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.20g
Cholesterol 486mg	162%
Sodium 59327mg	2579%
Total Carbohydrate 419.60g	153%
Dietary Fiber 14.90g	53%
Total Sugars 26.10g
Protein 88.90g	178%

Vitamin D 126IU	628%
Calcium 887mg	68%
Iron 24mg	132%
Potassium 1421mg	30%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.7%

Protein: 11.4%

Carbs: 53.9%