Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe

Soft pretzel bites are the perfect snack for any occasion, offering a delicious combination of chewy, salty bread that’s warm and comforting. Paired with a vegan cheese sauce, this recipe becomes a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s suitable for everyone, including those following plant-based diets. The best part is, making these soft pretzel bites from scratch is much easier than you might think, and the vegan cheese sauce adds a creamy, tangy flavor that perfectly complements the pretzels.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to create soft pretzel bites with a step-by-step approach, along with a decadent vegan cheese sauce that is entirely dairy-free yet full of flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Perfect Snack or Appetizer: These pretzel bites are ideal for parties, game nights, or even as an afternoon snack.
2. Vegan-Friendly: Both the pretzel bites and cheese sauce are 100% plant-based, making them suitable for vegans or anyone avoiding dairy.
3. Customizable: You can season the pretzel bites with salt, sesame seeds, or even cinnamon sugar. The vegan cheese sauce can be spiced up with jalapeños or made extra creamy with plant-based milk.
4. Fun to Make: Involving the whole family in rolling and shaping the pretzel bites can be a fun and interactive experience.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pretzel Dough

1. Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the sugar in the warm water (110°F/45°C). Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbles form, indicating that the yeast is active.
2. Mix the Dough: Add the melted vegan butter and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually add the flour, one cup at a time, mixing with a wooden spoon or the dough hook attachment of a stand mixer. Continue until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough: Once the dough starts to come together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. If you’re using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook on medium speed for about 5 minutes.
4. Let the Dough Rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl, covering it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.

Step 2: Shape the Pretzel Bites

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Divide the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into 4 equal sections. Working with one section at a time, roll each portion into a long rope, about 18-24 inches long.
3. Cut into Bites: Using a sharp knife or bench scraper, cut each dough rope into 1 1/2-inch pieces to create the pretzel bites.

Step 3: Boil the Pretzel Bites

1. Prepare the Boiling Solution: In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water—be careful, as it will bubble up.
2. Boil the Pretzel Bites: Working in batches, gently drop the pretzel bites into the boiling water. Boil for about 30 seconds, then remove the bites using a slotted spoon and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet.
3. Season the Pretzel Bites: While the pretzel bites are still wet, sprinkle them with coarse sea salt. For variation, you can also use sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or even a sprinkle of garlic powder for extra flavor.

Step 4: Bake the Pretzel Bites

1. Bake: Place the baking sheet with the pretzel bites in the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the pretzel bites are golden brown.
2. Brush with Vegan Butter: Optional, but highly recommended—immediately after the pretzel bites come out of the oven, brush them with melted vegan butter for extra flavor and shine.

Step 5: Make the Vegan Cheese Sauce

1. Blend the Cashews: Drain the soaked cashews and place them in a food processor or high-speed blender along with the nutritional yeast, plant-based milk, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and Dijon mustard.
2. Blend Until Smooth: Blend on high until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, you can add more plant-based milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
3. Adjust Seasoning: Taste the cheese sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). For extra creaminess, you can add the tapioca starch and blend again.
4. Heat the Sauce: Transfer the cheese sauce to a small saucepan and cook over low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce is warm and slightly thickened.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

1. Serve the Pretzel Bites: Arrange the warm pretzel bites on a platter and serve with a bowl of the vegan cheese sauce for dipping. You can also serve with other dips, such as mustard, marinara sauce, or even a vegan ranch dip.
2. Optional Toppings: For an extra indulgent treat, drizzle the cheese sauce over the pretzel bites and sprinkle with chopped chives, jalapeños, or even vegan bacon bits.

Customizations and Variations

Pretzel Bites

1. Cinnamon-Sugar Pretzel Bites: After baking, brush the pretzel bites with melted vegan butter and toss them in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar for a sweet snack.
2. Spicy Pretzel Bites: Add a dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the dough for a spicy kick, or sprinkle chili powder on top before baking.
3. Herb-Garlic Pretzel Bites: Mix dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano into the dough or sprinkle them on top before baking.

Vegan Cheese Sauce

1. Jalapeño Cheese Sauce: For a spicy variation, blend in a few pickled jalapeños or a fresh green chili to the cheese sauce.
2. Smoky Cheese Sauce: Add a teaspoon of liquid smoke or extra smoked paprika for a rich, smoky flavor.
3. Nutritional Boost: For a more nutrient-dense sauce, add cooked carrots or sweet potatoes to the blender along with the cashews for a thicker, more vibrant orange color.

Tips for the Perfect Pretzel Bites

1. Work with Fresh Yeast: Make sure your yeast is fresh and active. If the yeast doesn’t foam after 5 minutes in the warm water, it may be expired, and you’ll need to start over with new yeast.
2. Boil Before Baking: Don’t skip the boiling step! Boiling the pretzel bites in baking soda water is what gives them their signature chewy texture and golden-brown crust.
3. Brush with Butter: Brushing the pretzels with melted vegan butter right out of the oven enhances their flavor and gives them a beautiful shine.
4. Blend Cheese Sauce Thoroughly: For a smooth and creamy cheese sauce, it’s essential to blend the cashews until completely smooth. A high-speed blender will achieve the best results, but a regular blender or food processor will work too—just blend a little longer.

Conclusion

These Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, combining the comforting taste of homemade pretzels with a creamy, dairy-free cheese dip. Whether you’re preparing for a party, game night, or just craving a snack, this recipe is sure to hit the spot. The soft and chewy pretzel bites are simple to make at home, and the vegan cheese sauce adds an indulgent touch without any dairy. With so many ways to customize the flavors, you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe time and time again.

Yield: 50 pretzel bites

Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe

Print

Soft pretzel bites are the perfect snack for any occasion, offering a delicious combination of chewy, salty bread that’s warm and comforting. Paired with a vegan cheese sauce, this recipe becomes a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s suitable for everyone, including those following plant-based diets. The best part is, making these soft pretzel bites from scratch is much easier than you might think, and the vegan cheese sauce adds a creamy, tangy flavor that perfectly complements the pretzels.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

İncluding Rising Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Soft Pretzel Bites:
• 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
• 10 cups water
• ⅔ cup baking soda
• Coarse sea salt (for sprinkling)
• For the Vegan Cheese Sauce:
• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for 4 hours or overnight
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any plant milk)
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons tapioca starch (for extra thickness)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Pretzel Dough
   In a large bowl, combine the warm water and sugar, and stir to dissolve the sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes foamy.
   Add the flour and salt to the yeast mixture and stir to combine. Once the dough starts to come together, knead it for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. (You can knead it by hand or use a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment.)
   Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with a clean towel and let it rise in a warm spot for 30-40 minutes, until it doubles in size.
   
2. Step 2: Shape the Pretzel Bites
   Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 6 equal pieces.
   Roll each piece into a long rope, about 12-14 inches in length.
   Cut the dough into 1-inch pieces to form bite-sized pretzel bites.
   
3. Step 3: Boil the Pretzel Bites
   Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
   In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water and ⅔ cup of baking soda to a boil.
   Gently drop the pretzel bites into the boiling water, about 10-15 pieces at a time, and boil for 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bites to the prepared baking sheet.
   Brush each pretzel bite with melted vegan butter and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
   
4. Step 4: Bake the Pretzel Bites
   Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
   Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.
   
5. Step 5: Make the Vegan Cheese Sauce
   Drain the soaked cashews and place them in a blender along with the almond milk, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, lemon juice, salt, Dijon mustard, and tapioca starch.
   Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add more almond milk to reach your desired consistency.
   Pour the mixture into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens (about 3-5 minutes).
   
6. Step 6: Serve
   Serve the warm soft pretzel bites with the vegan cheese sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

• Soaking the cashews is important for achieving a smooth, creamy cheese sauce. If you’re short on time, you can quick-soak the cashews by boiling them for 10 minutes.
• The vegan cheese sauce can be customized with extra spices like cayenne pepper or turmeric for added flavor and color.
• Pretzel bites are best eaten fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheat before serving.