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Soft pretzel bites stuffed with cheese and jalapeño, baked until golden and glossy, ready for dipping.
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Cheesy Jalapeño Pretzel Bites

Cheesy Jalapeño Pretzel Bites are soft, salty, and stuffed with melty cheddar and a little heat. Perfect for parties, game day, or anytime snacking.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Rising Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 32 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chedar jalapeno pretzel bites, cheesy jalapeno pretzel bites
Servings: 8
Calories: 244kcal
Author: Joanna Cismaru

Ingredients

For the Dough:

  • 1 cup warm water 110°F to 115°F
  • 2 teaspoons instant yeast
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Filling:

  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 fresh jalapeño finely chopped (seeds removed for less heat)

For Boiling:

  • 6 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda

For Topping:

  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup of warm water, 2 teaspoons of instant yeast, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add 2½ cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix and knead until the dough is smooth.
    process shots showing how to make cheesy jalapeno pretzel bites.
  • Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for about 1 hour, or until doubled.
    process shots showing how to make cheesy jalapeno pretzel bites.
  • In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of cheddar cheese with 1 chopped jalapeño.
    process shots showing how to make cheesy jalapeno pretzel bites.
  • Punch down the dough and divide it into 4 long ropes. Flatten each rope slightly, add a line of the cheese mixture down the center, then pinch the dough closed to form a sealed log. Cut each log into bite-size pieces.
    process shots showing how to make cheesy jalapeno pretzel bites.
  • Bring 6 cups of water to a boil and stir in 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Drop in the pretzel bites a few at a time and boil for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
    process shots showing how to make cheesy jalapeno pretzel bites.
  • Brush with 1 tablespoon of melted butter and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of coarse salt. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10 to 12 minutes until golden.
    process shots showing how to make cheesy jalapeno pretzel bites.
  • Best enjoyed warm (ideally with ranch or queso nearby).

Notes

  1. Use warm water between 110°F and 115°F to activate the yeast properly.
  2. Keep the dough soft and slightly tacky for tender pretzel bites.
  3. Shred the cheese yourself for better melting and less leakage.
  4. Remove jalapeño seeds for mild heat or leave a few in for extra kick.
  5. Seal the dough well around the filling to keep the cheese inside.
  6. The baking soda boil is essential for that classic pretzel flavor and chewy crust.
  7. These are best served warm, shortly after baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 244kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 1517mg | Potassium: 86mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 204IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 113mg | Iron: 2mg
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