Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce – Delicious Vegan Appetizer

Introduction to Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce

What Are Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce?

Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce are the perfect combination of warm, chewy pretzel bites and creamy, savory vegan cheese sauce. The pretzels are made from a simple dough, boiled in a baking soda solution to give them that signature golden, soft exterior. Paired with a rich, vegan cheese sauce that’s smooth and flavorful, these bites make a great snack, appetizer, or party treat.

For a healthier option, you can easily switch to whole wheat flour for the pretzels, and adjust the spice level of the cheese sauce to your liking by adding jalapeños or your favorite herbs. This dish is vegan, dairy-free, and can easily be customized to suit various dietary preferences.

Whether you’re hosting a gathering or enjoying a cozy night in, soft pretzel bites with vegan cheese sauce will always be a crowd-pleaser. It’s a vegan twist on the classic soft pretzel, making it accessible to everyone while still delivering on flavor.

Basic Recipe for Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce

Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce – Delicious Vegan Appetizer

---

• Author: Jennifer Mitchell
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including rising and resting time)
• Yield: 20-24 pretzel bites (depending on size) 1x
• Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

These Soft Pretzel Bites are warm, chewy, and golden brown with the perfect salty crunch. Paired with a creamy, rich vegan cheese sauce, they make for an irresistible snack or appetizer. Vegan-friendly and delicious, these pretzel bites are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

 

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Pretzels:

• 1½ cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
• 2¼ teaspoons fast-rise yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• ¼ cup melted vegan butter
• 4+ cups all-purpose flour (start with 4 cups, add more as needed)
• ½ tablespoon salt

For Boiling:

• 3 quarts water
• ⅓ cup baking soda

For Topping:

• Oil or melted vegan butter (for brushing)
• Pretzel salt (for sprinkling)

For the Vegan Cheese Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons vegan butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup plain, unsweetened rice milk (we prefer rice milk for its neutral flavor)
• ¾ cup vegan cheddar cheese shreds (or your favorite vegan cheese shreds)
• ¼ cup vegetable broth
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Paprika (for topping, optional)

---

Instructions

For the Pretzels:

1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm water, fast-rise yeast, and sugar. Stir until dissolved. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly.
2. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and melted vegan butter. Stir until a dough begins to form. If the dough is too sticky, add more flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it forms a smooth and elastic dough.
3. Knead the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. If the dough is still sticky, sprinkle with a bit more flour.
4. Let the Dough Rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.

For Boiling:

5. Boil the Pretzel Bites: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In a large pot, bring 3 quarts of water and the baking soda to a boil. While the water is heating up, punch down the dough and divide it into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope (about 1 inch in diameter). Cut each rope into bite-sized pieces (about 1 to 1½ inches).
6. Boil the Dough: Once the water is boiling, gently drop the pretzel bites into the water, a few at a time. Boil for 30 seconds, then use a slotted spoon to remove them and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat until all the pretzel bites are boiled.

For Baking and Topping:

7. Bake the Pretzel Bites: Brush the pretzel bites with a little oil or melted vegan butter and sprinkle with pretzel salt. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. Cool: Let the pretzel bites cool slightly on a wire rack while you prepare the vegan cheese sauce.

---

For the Vegan Cheese Sauce:

9. Make the Cheese Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the vegan butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually pour in the rice milk and vegetable broth, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until thickened.
10. Add the Cheese: Stir in the vegan cheddar cheese shreds, garlic powder, and salt. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
11. Serve: Pour the cheese sauce into a small serving bowl and sprinkle with paprika, if desired. Serve alongside the warm pretzel bites for dipping.

Notes

• For a chewier texture, ensure you boil the pretzel bites for the full 30 seconds before baking.
• You can adjust the consistency of the cheese sauce by adding more rice milk if it gets too thick.
• If you prefer, you can use other plant-based milk such as almond milk or oat milk, but rice milk provides the most neutral flavor.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes (not including dough rise time)
• Cook Time: 15 minutes (for baking the pretzel bites) 10 minutes (for making the cheese sauce)
• Category: Snack, Appetizer
• Method: Baking, Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 pretzel bite with cheese sauce
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 290mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce

Step-by-Step Instructions for Pretzel Bites

1. Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add the melted vegan butter, flour, and salt, mixing to form a dough.
2. Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
3. Shape the Pretzel Bites: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Punch down the dough and divide it into small portions. Roll each portion into a rope and cut into bite-sized pieces.
4. Boil the Pretzel Bites: In a large pot, bring 3 quarts of water to a boil. Stir in the baking soda and drop in the pretzel bites, boiling them for 1 minute per side.
5. Bake the Pretzel Bites: Place the pretzel bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush with melted vegan butter or oil and sprinkle with pretzel salt. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.

Steps For Vegan Cheese Sauce

1. Make a Roux: In a saucepan, melt vegan butter over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until it forms a smooth paste (roux).
2. Add Liquids: Gradually add the rice milk and vegetable broth, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
3. Add Vegan Cheese: Stir in the vegan cheddar cheese shreds, garlic powder, and salt. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
4. Optional Topping: If desired, sprinkle with a pinch of paprika for a little extra flavor and color.
5. Serve: Pour the cheese sauce into a bowl for dipping or drizzle over the pretzel bites.

Advanced Techniques for Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce

Enhancing the Pretzel Flavor

To elevate the pretzel bites, experiment with adding different herbs or spices to the dough. A dash of garlic powder or onion powder can give the dough a savory twist. If you enjoy a bit of heat, consider adding red pepper flakes to the dough or directly into the vegan cheese sauce for an extra kick.

Perfecting the Boiling Process

The baking soda boil is essential for creating the classic soft pretzel texture and flavor. Be sure to use plenty of water and baking soda to give the pretzels their signature dark and crispy crust. Don’t skip this step, as it’s key to achieving that authentic pretzel bite.

Making a Richer Vegan Cheese Sauce

If you want a richer vegan cheese sauce, you can add a spoonful of nutritional yeast for a more “cheesy” flavor, or blend in some cashews for added creaminess. Additionally, feel free to play around with different types of vegan cheeses to find your preferred flavor profile.

See more advanced recipes, at Mobolux.

Storage, Shelf Life, and Maintenance Tips

How to Store Soft Pretzel Bites

Store leftover soft pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes for the best results.

Freezing Pretzel Bites

To freeze the pretzel bites, arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer bag and store for up to 2 months. Reheat them in the oven directly from the freezer.

Storing Vegan Cheese Sauce

Store leftover vegan cheese sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of rice milk to restore the desired consistency.

Dietary Adaptations and Substitutions

Gluten-Free Version

For a gluten-free version of these pretzel bites, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure the vegan cheese sauce ingredients are also gluten-free. If you prefer, you can swap in gluten-free rice flour for a lighter texture.

Nut-Free Modifications

To make the cheese sauce nut-free, you can substitute the rice milk with oat milk or soy milk. If you want a creamier sauce, use coconut cream in place of the vegan butter and flour.

Lowering the Sodium Content

To reduce the sodium content, cut back on the pretzel salt and opt for a lower-sodium vegetable broth for the cheese sauce.

FAQs About Pretzel Bites Recipe 

Can I Use Regular Milk for the Cheese Sauce?

Yes, you can use regular dairy milk if you’re not following a vegan or dairy-free diet. However, the recipe is designed for vegan ingredients, and the rice milk provides a neutral base for the cheese sauce.

Can I Make the Pretzel Dough in Advance?

Yes, you can make the pretzel dough a day ahead of time. Simply follow the steps to prepare the dough, then cover it and refrigerate it overnight. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and boiling the pretzel bites.

How Do I Keep the Pretzels Soft?

To keep the pretzels soft after baking, cover them with a clean kitchen towel right after they come out of the oven. This helps trap moisture and keeps them chewy. For an extra soft texture, use a high-fat vegan butter.

Conclusion & Final thoughts

Final Thoughts on Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce

Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce are a delicious, vegan-friendly treat that combines the perfect blend of chewy pretzels and creamy cheese sauce. They are easy to prepare and make a great appetizer for any occasion. Customize your pretzels by adding your favorite toppings or experimenting with different cheeses in the sauce. Whether you’re a vegan or simply looking for a fun snack, these soft pretzel bites are sure to satisfy your cravings!