Description
Soft Pretzel Bites with a creamy, rich Vegan Cheese Sauce make for a perfect snack or appetizer. These homemade pretzel bites are boiled in a baking soda bath for that classic chewy texture and baked to a beautiful golden brown. Paired with a smooth, dairy-free cheese sauce, this recipe is entirely vegan-friendly and sure to satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pretzel Bites Dough
- 1 1/2 cups warm water
- 2 1/4 tsp fast-rise yeast
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 cup melted vegan butter
- 4+ cups flour
- 1/2 tbsp salt
Boiling & Topping
- 3 quarts water
- 1/3 cup baking soda
- Oil or melted vegan butter (for brushing)
- Pretzel salt (for sprinkling)
Vegan Cheese Sauce
- 2 tbsp vegan butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup plain, unsweetened rice milk
- 3/4 cup vegan cheddar cheese shreds (or your favorite vegan cheese)
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Paprika, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a bowl, whisk together warm water, sugar, and fast-rise yeast. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes until frothy and active, indicating the yeast is ready to use.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, mix 4 cups of flour with salt. Add melted vegan butter and the activated yeast mixture. Combine until a dough ball forms. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes by hand or with a stand mixer using a hook attachment, adding more flour as needed to keep it from sticking while maintaining softness.
- Let Dough Rise: Lightly oil a bowl and coat the dough inside. Cover with a damp towel and allow it to rise for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Shape the Pretzel Bites: Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into pieces approximately 3/4 inch by 1 inch.
- Boil the Pretzel Bites: Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Slowly add baking soda to the boiling water to prevent bubbling over. Boil pretzel bites in batches for about 1 minute on each side. Use a slotted spoon to remove and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Add Toppings: Brush each boiled pretzel bite with oil or melted vegan butter and sprinkle generously with pretzel salt.
- Bake: Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until they turn golden brown and crisp on the outside.
- Prepare the Vegan Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt vegan butter. Whisk in flour to form a roux and cook for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in rice milk to prevent lumps, then stir in garlic powder and salt.
- Add Cheese & Broth: Whisk in the vegan cheddar cheese shreds until fully melted and smooth. Add vegetable broth and continue whisking until the sauce is creamy. Optionally, top with paprika for color and extra flavor.
- Serve: Serve the warm pretzel bites with the vegan cheese sauce for dipping and enjoy this delicious plant-based snack.
Notes
- Make sure the water is warm, not hot, to properly activate the yeast.
- Knead well to develop gluten for a chewy texture in the dough.
- Boiling in baking soda water is essential to achieve the classic pretzel crust and flavor.
- If vegan butter is unavailable, use oil for brushing the pretzels before baking.
- You can substitute rice milk with any other plant-based milk but maintain it unsweetened for best results.
- Adjust salt and garlic powder in the cheese sauce to taste.
- Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container and reheat in the oven for best texture.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 57 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
