Ham and Cheese Pretzel Bites - Easy Recipes for Family Time - Seeded At The Table (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.


Pin

Share

Tweet

Share

Jump to Recipe

Serve these Ham and Cheese Pretzel Bites as a delicious party appetizer or game-day snack. The salty and buttery soft pretzel dough stuffed with with oozing cheese and ham will keep your party guests grabbing for more!

Ham and Cheese Pretzel Bites - Easy Recipes for Family Time - Seeded At The Table (1)For New Year's Eve, I wanted to make an easy appetizer that was at least a little impressive. These pretzel bites were perfect, except that I poorly planned my timing so that I was making them as our guests arrived. A few days later, we were invited to our friends' to watch the UFC fight, so I made another batch of these to bring with us. This time I didn't have to hurry to free up my kitchen, so their appearance was much more appealing!

Contrary to what it seems, it doesn't take much effort to make these. Just whip up the dough, let it rise for 2 hours, shape the pretzels, let rise again for 30 minutes, then boil and bake! If you're anything like me, you'll have the itching to pinch the sides of the rolls shut -- but don't! Some of the ham and cheese might ooze out, but that's fine. They puff right up in the oven, resulting in the perfect soft pretzel texture.

Recipe Card

Ham and Cheese Pretzel Bites - Easy Recipes for Family Time - Seeded At The Table (2)

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Ham and Cheese Pretzel Bites

Serve these Ham and Cheese Pretzel Bites as a delicious party appetizer or game-day snack. The salty and buttery soft pretzel dough stuffed with with oozing cheese and ham will keep your party guests grabbing for more!

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Resting Time2 hours hrs

Total Time45 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 package (¼ oz) active dry yeast (or instant yeast)
  • 2 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar , divided
  • ¼ cup warm water (110-115 degrees F)
  • 1 cup warm milk (110-115 degrees F)
  • 2 ½ to 3 cups flour
  • ½ cup finely chopped ham (about 3 ounces)
  • ½ cup shredded cheese of choice (I used cheddar)
  • 6 cups water
  • 4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
  • 1-2 Tablespoons coarse salt

Instructions

  • Combine the yeast, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, and warm water in a large bowl. Set aside until foamy, 5-8 minutes. (If using the instant yeast, you can skip this step and just add it to the flour.) In another bowl, stir together the remaining 2 tablespoon brown sugar and warm milk until dissolved.

  • Add 2 ½ cups flour and milk mixture to the yeast. Stir with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms. Add the remaining flour as needed. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead a few times, forming a smooth ball.

  • Brush the inside of a large clean bowl with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Allow to rise in a warm, draft free area for about 2 hours, until dough has doubled in size and bubbles appear on the surface.

  • Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 4 equal pieces. Lightly dust your hands and rolling pin with flour. Roll one of the four sections into a 12×4-inch rectangle. With the long side facing you, gently press ¼ of the ham and cheese into the bottom third of the dough, and roll as tightly as possible, starting with the end that has the filling. Cut into 12 1-inch pieces and transfer to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Repeat with remaining 3 portions of the dough.

  • Let rest, uncovered, at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F.

  • Bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add the baking soda and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Boil pretzels in batches, cooking about 20 seconds each, turning once. They should be slightly puffed. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them back to the baking sheets.

  • Bake until puffed and golden-brown, about 15 minutes.

  • Brush warm pretzel bites with melted butter and sprinkle with salt. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Source: Adapted from Pink Parsley

Tried this recipe?Take a pic and tag @seededtable or #SeededAtTheTable to be featured!

Pin

Share

Tweet

Share

« Italian Stuffed Shells

Cajun Chicken Pasta »

About Seeded At The Table

Thanks for visiting! We’re the Gladd family! We love donuts, Disney, LEGO and Jesus. Not in that order, of course. 🙂 Ben shares DIY wood-working projects and Nikki shares delicious recipes. You’ll also find a sprinkling of travel adventures and other family fun ideas!

Learn more about me →

Ham and Cheese Pretzel Bites - Easy Recipes for Family Time - Seeded At The Table (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep soft pretzel bites warm for a party? ›

Simply wrap all the pretzel bites tightly in foil, sealing the edges together, then place in your oven on “keep warm,” or 170F.

What kind of mustard is good for pretzel bites? ›

Dijon mustard or a spicy brown mustard are the typical go-tos, as they add an extra kick to your pretzel snack. However, you can also get the best of both worlds by choosing a cheesy mustard dip.

Does Auntie Anne's fry or bake their pretzels? ›

Products sold at Auntie Anne's franchise locations are baked fresh in-store. In order to provide you with a great Auntie Anne's experience at home, we use the same proprietary blend of flour used in our stores.

How to keep soft pretzels warm at a wedding reception? ›

Commercial pretzel warmers are the best way to keep these snacks soft and delicious. To warm pretzels at home, you can heat them in an oven or microwave, then transfer them to a ceramic bread warmer.

How do you serve soft pretzels at a party? ›

Create an Appealing Display: Use decorative serving platters, tiered stands, or rustic wooden crates to display your pretzels and toppings. Add small chalkboard signs or labels to identify the different pretzel varieties and dips.

What is the secret ingredient which makes a pretzel taste like a pretzel? ›

The answer lies in a brief dip in an alkaline water bath before baking. This bath essentially gelatinizes the outside of the pretzel, preventing it from fully “springing” during baking (as bread does) and giving pretzels their signature chewy crust. It also gives them their unique and indelible “pretzel” flavor.

How do you get salt to stick to pretzel bites? ›

A: Simple. Wet your fingers and moisten the surface of the pretzel. Sprinkle salt immediately and it will stick. I put mine in a 375 degree oven for 6 to 8 minutes.

What's a good dip for pretzels? ›

A classic pick is a beer cheese dip. Combine cheddar cheese, cream cheese for creaminess, and 1/2 to 3/4 cups of beer depending on if you're looking for a thinner or thicker dip. Or try this Gouda-infused version.

Are pretzel bites good for you? ›

Unless they've been made with a whole grain flour such as rye, most pretzels are not very nutrient-dense, meaning they don't contain many beneficial nutrients relative to their calorie content. That's because most pretzels are made from refined wheat flour, also called white flour.

Why do you dip pretzels in baking soda before baking? ›

Furthermore, we've introduced the baking soda bath. While it sounds strange, this step is what gives pretzels that iconic flavor, chewy texture, helps deepen their golden color in the oven, and locks in the super soft interior.

Why do Auntie Anne's pretzels taste so good? ›

All those pretzels are made and twisted on the spot.

Auntie Anne's definitely doesn't serve pre-made pretzels! Every location receives shipments of the signature flour mixture, which is put in a mixer along with water and yeast. They're baked, brushed with real butter, salted and served right there.

What is the secret solution for Auntie Anne's pretzels? ›

Instead, they mix hot (but not boiling) water with baking soda until the baking soda dissolves, then dunk the pretzels in that solution prior to baking. According to The Daily Meal, the baking soda solution slapped onto each pretzel is what gives them that signature Auntie Anne's crust.

Can I keep pretzel bites warm in a crockpot? ›

Keep warm – You can stack a good amount of pretzels in the slow cooker and the foil will help distribute the heat. Check them every once in a while and if they seem to be drying out, sprinkle a little water into the bottom of the slow cooker.

How to keep soft pretzels warm for a concession stand? ›

Use paper plate • Microwave each on paper plate for one minute OR BAKE in ROASTER, at 350 degrees, for 10 minutes. Pretzels can be wrapped in foil and stored in warm roaster oven.

How do you warm soft pretzel bites? ›

Cover and store leftover pretzel bites at room temperature for up to 3 days. They lose a little softness over time. To reheat, microwave for a few seconds or bake in a 350°F (177°C) for 5 minutes.

How to keep soft pretzels from getting soggy? ›

Cool Before Storage: Let pretzels cool completely to avoid moisture build-up. Individually Wrapped: Wrap each pretzel in plastic wrap to protect against dry air. Room Temperature for Short-Term: Store them in an airtight container at room temperature if enjoying within a couple of days.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carlyn Walter

Last Updated:

Views: 6521

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carlyn Walter

Birthday: 1996-01-03

Address: Suite 452 40815 Denyse Extensions, Sengermouth, OR 42374

Phone: +8501809515404

Job: Manufacturing Technician

Hobby: Table tennis, Archery, Vacation, Metal detecting, Yo-yoing, Crocheting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Carlyn Walter, I am a lively, glamorous, healthy, clean, powerful, calm, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.