Making pretzels at home is super easy, especially when you don’t fuss with forming them into the classic pretzel shape. Pretzel bites are supremely easier, and just as soft, chewy, and crunchy as their full-sized cousins. Plus, they’re better for dipping in a spicy, Korean cheese dip.
I can never pass up a pretzel, which is why I couldn’t let another National Pretzel Day go by without sharing one of my all-time favourite ways to enjoy them – Pretzel Bites.
Does anyone have unusual food memories? I have a weird memory association with pretzels. I always think of shopping at outlet malls in the States. When shopping, or rather, once I’m all shopped-out, I always have to get a giant pretzel from those Aunty Annie type places. It’s almost an unspoken tradition, especially if I’m with my mom. So now, if I see pretzels on a menu in a restaurant, I immediately have the urge to go shopping. In Vegas.
Don’t judge.
Even more than pretzels, I’m totally addicted to cheese.
I posed a question to Scott about pretzel dip preferences. His instinct was to suggest some sort of mustard dip, but we agreed it was unoriginal. His second idea was buffalo dip, which I just couldn’t get behind, partly because I was jonesing for something cheesy, and partly because I don’t really enjoy buffalo flavoured things. At all.
So, we compromised. I got cheesy and he still got spicy.
We are a household that loves spicy sauces; we’ve got about 5 or 6 different kinds in the kitchen at any given moment. Right now, we’re crushing hard for gochujang. It’s a Korean red chili paste/condiment, that offers up some kick and depth to whatever you’re cooking. It goes great in soups, with meat and noodles, and as it turns out, it goes phenomenal with cheese.
I’ve made my fair share of pretzels, and while I like them in their traditional form, I’m also super lazy sometimes. So, to solve the problem of, wanting pretzels but not wanting to shape pretzels, I just roll the dough into 1-inch thick logs, and cut them into bites. The pretzels then go for a quick dip in some boiling water with baking soda, which helps the pretzels stay chewy, and also aids in turning them the most perfect, golden brown. Sprinkle a little salt on those little guys, and send ’em for a quick bake, and in no time, you have the ideal dipping vessel for a spicy Korean flavoured cheese dip.
Pretzel Bites with Korean Cheese Dip
Ingredients
Pretzels
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 1/4 tsp instant yeast*
- 1 cup very warm water
- coarse salt optional
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 4-5 cups water
Korean Cheese Dip
- 1-8 oz package of cream cheese softened
- 2 tbsp. gochujang
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella plus more for sprinkling on top
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 3 green onions finely chopped
Instructions
Pretzels
- Whisk together the flour, salt, sugar and yeast in a large bowl.
- Add in the warm water and mix with a spoon until a shaggy dough is formed. Then, turn the dough out onto a clean work surface, and knead for about 5 minutes, or until a soft and smooth ball of dough is formed. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, and cover with a tea towel or plastic wrap.
- Let the dough rise in a warm location until doubled in size, which takes about 1 hr, depending on the temperature of your house.
- Once the dough has risen, divide it into 4 or 5 equal pieces, and roll each piece into a long rope, about 1 inch thick. Allow these ropes to sit and rest for 3-4 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring the 4-5 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan, and add the baking soda.
- Once the ropes have rested, cut them into bite sized chunks, about 1-inch long.
- Transfer the cut dough into the boiling water, and allow them to boil for about 30 seconds, then transfer them to a parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with coarse salt, if desired.
- Bake the pretzel bites in a 400 degree F oven for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Once baked, allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet, and enjoy warm, or cool completely and store in an airtight container for about 3 days.
Dip
- Mix together the softened cream cheese and gochujang in a large bowl until smooth and fully combined.
- Stir in the shredded mozzarella, minced garlic, and green onions.
- Give this mixture a taste, and add more gochujang if you want some extra heat.
- Transfer the cheesy dip into a small oven safe baking dish, and generously top with more shredded mozzarella.
- Bake the dip for 10-15 minutes in a 350 degree F oven, or until the cheese is brown and the dip is bubbling.
- Serve with the pretzel bites.
Nutritional calculation was provided by WP Recipe Maker and is an estimation only. For special diets or medical issues please use your preferred calculator
Notes
my next party appetizer recipe. Love the dip. And will be trying the homemade pretzels too. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Am sure itll be a hit.
The dip is so easy and SO good. Definitely a crowd pleaser!
These would make such a great game day appetizer. I love the unique twist on the cheese sauce!
OMG those pretzel bites are so cute!!!! Looks like a great dish for game night!
Oh my, I need to make homemade pretzels, they look delicious! This is perfect for happy hours!
First off, pretzel bites are YUM!! They are one of my favorite appetizers especially in a cheese dip…and that dip. OMG! I would have never thought of these flavor combinations and now I want to make it asap!
I’ve never had korean cheese dip but I love all things cheese so this would definitely be a winner for me. What an awesome thing to make for a group – or maybe hoard all to yourself! Yum!
OMG!!! We make huge pretzels but we’ve never made the bites. They look so good and what a perfect party appetizer. This is a recipe that will be made soon.
What a lovely combination of flavors. This looks amazingly delicious. wish I could grab some right now.
Such a great appetizer for a gathering. Loving the homemade pretzels and the cheese dip! Yum!
That cheese dip looks awesome! Your pretzel bites look great for a party or afterschool snack for the kids!
1. I love pretzel bites. They are seriously one of the best foods! 2. Gochujang is my new love and I’m dying to try this awesome sounding dip!
That cheese dip sounds heavenly! Oh my goodness. What a great appetizer for having friends over!
Today I learned what gochujang is, and now I really want to try it out in a recipe.
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat! Oh my. This looks amazing. My family would LOVE that dip. Adding this to my must-try list.
Very cool! Will be great to have some fresh pretzels come out of my kitchen! The dip looks yummy! Diane
What?!? I’m totally making these, what an awesome snack!!!