Introduction
Transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary game-day goodness with these ridiculously easy cheese-stuffed soft pretzels! Perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s ready in a flash, this recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort. Get ready to impress your friends and family without spending hours in the kitchen!
Why This Works
This recipe strikes the perfect balance of salty, cheesy, and soft. The pretzel dough is incredibly forgiving, even for beginner bakers, and the cheesy filling adds a delightful surprise with every bite. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser, easy to customize, and always a hit!
Key Ingredients
- 🥨 1 pound refrigerated pizza dough
- 🧀 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 🧀 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 🥛 1/2 cup milk
- 🥚 1 large egg, beaten
- 🧂 1 teaspoon salt
- 🧂 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 🥨 1/4 cup coarse sea salt, for topping
- 🧈 2 tablespoons melted butter, for brushing
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2️⃣ In a medium bowl, combine the cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
3️⃣ On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to about 1/4 inch thickness.
4️⃣ Cut the dough into 8 equal squares.
5️⃣ Place a spoonful of the cheese mixture in the center of each square.
6️⃣ Bring the corners of each square together to form a ball, pinching the dough to seal the cheese inside.
7️⃣ In a small bowl, whisk together the milk and beaten egg.
8️⃣ Arrange the pretzel balls on the prepared baking sheet. Brush each pretzel with the egg wash and sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt and garlic powder.
9️⃣ Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
🔟 Let cool slightly before serving.
Handy Tips
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of dried oregano or Italian seasoning to the cheese mixture.
- If your dough is sticky, lightly flour your work surface.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet; this ensures even baking.
Heat Control
Baking at 450°F (232°C) ensures a perfectly golden-brown crust and a soft, chewy interior. Lowering the temperature may result in undercooked pretzels, while increasing it could lead to burning.
Crunch Factor
The coarse sea salt provides a delightful crunch that complements the soft, chewy pretzel dough and the melty cheese filling.
Pro Kitchen Tricks
- Use pre-shredded cheese for ultimate speed and convenience.
- For a richer flavor, use a blend of cheeses including sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, and pepper jack.
- Make mini pretzels by cutting the dough into smaller squares.
Storage Tips
Store leftover pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave before serving.
Gift Packaging Ideas
These pretzels make a fantastic gift! Package them in a decorative basket or tin lined with parchment paper. Tie a ribbon around it for an extra touch.
Flavor Variations
🌟 Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the cheese mixture.
🌟 Garlic Parmesan: Substitute part of the cheddar cheese with parmesan cheese and add more garlic powder.
🌟 Ranch: Mix in a packet of ranch seasoning with your cheese.
🌟 Everything Bagel: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top before baking.
Troubleshooting
- Pretzels are too hard: Reduce baking time by a couple of minutes next time. Ensure your oven temperature is accurate.
- Cheese isn’t melted: Ensure the cheese is properly distributed inside the pretzel dough balls. Your oven temperature may need to be adjusted during baking if your cheese remains unmelted.
FAQ
- Can I use different types of cheese? Absolutely! Experiment with your favorite cheeses.
- Can I make these ahead of time? You can prepare the dough balls ahead of time and bake them just before serving.
- How do I know when they’re done? The pretzels are done when they are golden brown and cooked through. They should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Can I freeze the unbaked pretzels? Yes, you can freeze the unbaked pretzel balls on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag for later use.
- Can I use a different type of dough? While pizza dough works best, bread dough could be substituted, although the texture might be slightly different.
Conclusion
These cheese-stuffed soft pretzels are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser – easy, delicious, and perfect for any occasion! Share your creations with us on social media and tag us—we can’t wait to see your amazing game-day spread! Enjoy!
30-Minute Cheese Stuffed Pretzels: Game Day Ready
Delicious soft pretzels filled with gooey cheese, perfect for game day snacking.
Ingredients
- 1 u00bd cups warm water (110u00b0F - 115u00b0F)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- u00bc cup baking soda
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
- Coarse sea salt (for topping)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
- Add flour and salt to the yeast mixture and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes. Let the dough rise for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 450u00b0F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each piece into a rope, about 18 inches long.
- Place a tablespoon of cheese at the center of each rope, fold over, and twist into a pretzel shape.
- In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water and baking soda to a boil. Boil each pretzel for 30 seconds, then remove and place on the baking sheet.
- Beat the egg and brush it over each pretzel. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Serve warm.
Tips
- For extra flavor, add spices like garlic powder or onion powder to the dough.
- Ensure the water is warm but not too hot to avoid killing the yeast.