Description
A quick and easy 30-minute dinner featuring chewy pretzel bites baked to golden perfection and served with a rich, tangy homemade beer cheese sauce. Perfect for weeknights or game day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (450g) refrigerated pretzel dough
- 2 tablespoons butter (for brushing)
- Kosher salt (for sprinkling)
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp water (egg wash, optional)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (for sauce)
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (120ml) lager or pilsner beer
- 2 cups (200g) freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard or Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce
- Optional: 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
- Optional: 1/4 cup precooked bacon bits
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unroll pretzel dough onto the baking sheet. Cut into 1-inch squares to yield 24-30 bites.
- Brush tops lightly with egg wash (if using) and sprinkle generously with kosher salt.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up.
- While bites bake, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute until light golden to form a roux.
- Slowly whisk in chicken broth and beer. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in grated cheddar cheese, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Remove baked bites from oven and brush immediately with melted butter.
- Serve hot with beer cheese sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
Grate your own cheese to prevent graininess. Use a lager or pilsner for the sauce; avoid stouts or IPAs. If not drinking beer, substitute with extra broth and a splash of white vinegar. Keep sauce warm while serving as it thickens upon cooling.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 4-5 bi
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 12
Keywords: beer cheese, pretzel bites, football tailgate, quick dinner, comfort food, weeknight meals, cheese sauce, easy recipes