Cheesy Pretzel Bites (Printable Version)

Soft dough packed with melty mozzarella, Parmesan, and a sprinkle of rosemary, baked with a crisp cheesy crust for next-level indulgence.

# Ingredients:

→ Pretzel Dough

01 - 1 teaspoon salt
02 - 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
03 - 1 packet (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
04 - 1 tablespoon sugar
05 - 1 cup warm water

→ Mozzarella Filling

06 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
08 - 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into small cubes

→ Baking Soda Bath

09 - 4 cups water
10 - 1/4 cup baking soda

→ Topping

11 - Fresh rosemary leaves, for garnish
12 - Grated Parmesan cheese

# Steps:

01 - Mix the warm water, yeast, and sugar in a big bowl. Give it about 5 minutes to froth up—this tells you the yeast is ready.
02 - Stir the flour and salt into the bubbly yeast mix. Knead the mixture until you get a smooth, stretchy dough.
03 - Cover the bowl using a clean kitchen towel and set it aside for 30–45 minutes, letting the dough puff up to twice its size.
04 - Turn your oven on to 425°F (220°C) and get a baking tray ready by covering it with parchment paper. Toss mozzarella cubes, Parmesan cheese, and chopped rosemary into a small bowl to prep the filling.
05 - Cut the risen dough into eight pieces. Roll each piece into a long strip, squash it down a bit, and place the cheesy filling in the middle. Wrap the dough around the filling to seal it, then twist it into a pretzel.
06 - In a pot, heat 4 cups of water until it’s almost boiling. Take it off the stove and stir in the baking soda until it’s fully dissolved.
07 - Drop each pretzel into the baking soda mix for 30 seconds, then gently lift it out and plop it on the baking sheet. Top them with Parmesan and rosemary sprigs. Bake them for 15–20 minutes, or until they’re golden and crispy on the outside.
08 - Let the pretzels cool off slightly, then dive in while they’re still nice and warm.

# Notes:

01 - Soft and fluffy on the inside, filled with melty mozzarella—these pretzels are a cheese lover's dream.
02 - Melt some butter and brush it over the pretzels once they’re out of the oven for extra flavor.
03 - Switch things up by tossing in some chili flakes with the cheese for a spicy kick.
04 - Want a lighter snack? Try using part-skim mozzarella or mix in cream cheese.
05 - They’re best when eaten warm, so don’t wait too long to serve them!

Back