Aside from my inexplicable holiday looking scene here, I’ve got to point out the important thing: those pretzels have cheese in them, guys!
Oh yes, soft chewy pretzels with gooey melted cheese get dusted in fresh herbs and then dunked in hot marinara sauce. It’s all just as good as it sounds. Turn your oven on with me and let’s make a treat!
Related: 30 Easy Finger Food Ideas
Aside from my inexplicable holiday looking scene here, I’ve got to point out the important thing: those pretzels have cheese in them, guys!
Oh yes, soft chewy pretzels with gooey melted cheese get dusted in fresh herbs and then dunked in hot marinara sauce. It’s all just as good as it sounds. Turn your oven on with me and let’s make a treat!
Homemade Pretzel Pizza Bites, makes two dozen.
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 cup hot water
1 teaspoon sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
24-30 mozzarella pearls
For the pretzel bath:
3 cups water
1/3 cup baking soda
For the tops and sides:
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon coarse grain sea salt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (I had parsley and rosemary on hand)
1-2 tablespoons dusty Parmesan cheese
2-3 cups of your favorite tomato or marinara sauce
In a large bowl, combine the 1 1/2 tablespoons butter with 1 cup hot water and 1 teaspoon sugar. Stir to combine as the butter melts. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and allow to foam and activate for 5-6 minutes.
Then, stir in the flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Use your clean hands to press into a dough ball and knead for 4-5 minutes until the dough begins to feel somewhat elastic.
Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm spot for about an hour or until it has nearly doubled in size.
Punch the dough down and divide into 24 pieces. These do not have to be precise. If you get a few that are slightly larger or smaller that’s OK. Press into a sphere and then roll up one or two mozzarella pearls inside, pinching into a little ball.
In a large pot, bring the 3 cups water and 1/3 cup baking soda to an almost boil. Cook the dough balls in the water for about 45 seconds.
They will shrivel up a little at this stage. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking mat. Slice a small X in the top of each ball. Brush with butter and sprinkle some coarse salt on top. Then bake at 400°F for 15-16 minutes until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and brush with a little more butter. Then sprinkle on the fresh herbs and parmesan.
While those were baking, did you go ahead and warm up your marinara sauce? You’re so smart.
These not only taste amazing, but added bonus: your house will smell of yeasty, cheesy goodness. Serve these along side a big delicious salad and a good red wine.
Bread, cheese, salad, wine—maybe not a balanced meal but certainly a very comforting one. Make these this week, guys. They are just too good. Enjoy! xo. Emma
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons butter
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 24-30 mozzarella pearls
For the pretzel bath:
- 3 cups water
- ⅓ cup baking soda
For the tops and sides:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 tablespoon coarse grain sea salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (like parsley or rosemary)
- 1-2 tablespoons dusty parmesan cheese
- 2-3 cups your favorite tomato or marinara sauce
Equipment
- baking tray
- large pot
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the 1 ½ tablespoons butter with 1 cup hot water and 1 teaspoon sugar. Stir to combine as the butter melts. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and allow to foam and activate for 5-6 minutes. Then stir in the flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Use your clean hands to press into a dough ball and knead for 4-5 minutes until the dough begins to feel somewhat elastic. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and allow to rise in a warm spot for about an hour or until it has nearly doubled in size.
- Punch the dough down and divide into 24 pieces. These do not have to be precise. If you get a few that are slightly larger or smaller that’s OK. Press into a sphere and then roll up one or two mozzarella pearls inside, pinching into a little ball.
- In a large, pot bring the 3 cups water and ⅓ cup baking soda to an almost boil. Cook the dough balls in the water for about 45 seconds. They will shrivel up a little at this stage. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking mat. Slice a small X in the top of each ball. Brush with butter and sprinkle some coarse salt on top. Then bake at 400°F for 15-16 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and brush with a little more butter. Then sprinkle on the fresh herbs and parmesan.
Nice look delicious, good snack for lunchbox 🙂
I have tried to print and use so many of your recipes but I can never get them to print or even email them to myself. What’s wrong with a print option??
Hi Katherine! We don’t have a print option other than just printing the post itself. You might try copying and pasting. Sorry for the inconvenience!
These look just so delicious! I will have to try making them this weekend. ♡♡
xoxoBella | http://xoxobella.com
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I love pretzels!!!
Thank you for sharing this one!:)
I just had supper, but these pictures made me hungry again! I will try these bretzel bites with whole-grain flour. Can`t wait to taste them!! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Love, Caroline
https://carolinespassion.wordpress.com
these look SOO yummy!!!!
www.kelseymarie.co
Suggestion: if you really want these to be pretzel-y, you should bake the baking soda, which will increase its alkalinity. See here: http://www.thekitchn.com/expert-bagel-maker-confirms-you-dont-need-lye-to-make-a-good-bagel-maker-tour-203288
Science.
Emma you’ve done it again! These look incredibly delicious! I’m dying to eat one (or should I say 10!). Thank you for sharing!
Nothing Christmassy til December here as well! Only a few days left to wait!
You’ve combined two of my favorite things. I love pizza and soft pretzels. I could totally do these.
This would be the perfect savoury snack!
I know, I’m pretty much on board for anything pizza or pretzel related. 🙂
-Emma
OK good, that makes me feel less behind! 🙂
-Emma
Melty cheese inside pretzels? Oh my goodness. Sounds too good to be true!
Oh wow yes it does look like snow! Well, that gives me an excuse to serve pizza on Christmas! Woohoo!
These look so good! I may try to make them for an upcoming potluck! 🙂
These look so good! Hopefully I’ll try them at some point soon!
Haha, that Parmesan really does look like snow. Would be a perfect addition to any Christmas dinner 🙂
These look amazing!!! I’m drooling over those pics !