Cheese-Stuffed Pretzels Recipe
Delicious homemade cheese-stuffed pretzels with a golden crust and gooey melted cheese inside. This recipe combines a soft, chewy pretzel dough with a savory cheese filling, perfect for snacks or appetizers.
- Author: Tara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 pretzels 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Dough Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F to 115°F)
- 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Baking Ingredients
- ½ cup baking soda
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse sea salt (for sprinkling)
Filling
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your choice)
- Dissolve Yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour and kosher salt to ensure even distribution.
- Combine: Slowly add the flour mixture to the yeast mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic, which develops the gluten.
- Let it Rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Baking Soda Bath: In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water to a boil. Carefully add the baking soda, which helps achieve the pretzel’s characteristic crust.
- Shape Pretzels: Punch down the risen dough and divide into equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope and form each into a pretzel shape.
- Boil Pretzels: Place each pretzel into the boiling baking soda solution for about 30 seconds to develop the distinctive texture and color. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add Cheese: Make a small cut in each pretzel and stuff it generously with shredded cheese for a delicious melting center.
- Egg Wash: Brush each pretzel with beaten egg to add shine and help the coarse sea salt adhere.
- Bake: Bake the pretzels in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly to allow the cheese to set before serving warm.
Notes
- You can use any combination of cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend for different flavors.
- Make sure the water for dissolving yeast is warm but not hot to avoid killing the yeast.
- The baking soda bath is key to getting the authentic pretzel crust and color.
- If you prefer, substitute coarse sea salt with pretzel salt or omit for a milder flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat for best taste.
Keywords: cheese-stuffed pretzels, homemade pretzels, soft pretzels, cheesy snacks, baking pretzels