If there’s one snack that brings people together—whether for game day, parties, or a cozy night in—it’s Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce. These chewy, golden bites paired with a dreamy, plant-based cheese dip are the kind of treat that vanish within minutes of hitting the table. The best part? You get all the nostalgic satisfaction of classic pretzels, but with a wholesome, dairy-free twist that everyone, vegan or not, will adore. The irresistible combination of pillowy pretzel bites and creamy, tangy cheese sauce will have you reaching for just one more… again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role in creating that signature pretzel bite experience and a luscious vegan cheese sauce. Simple pantry staples work a little magic together, giving you unbeatable flavor, texture, and color—no complicated shopping list required.
- Warm water: Activates the yeast and creates the perfect temperature for dough to rise.
- Active dry yeast: The secret to fluffy, pillowy pretzel bites—fresh yeast means a great rise.
- Brown sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and helps the yeast do its job.
- Salt: Essential for both flavor and that classic pretzel tang.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the dough its structure and signature bite.
- Olive oil: Adds a touch of richness and helps keep the pretzels tender.
- Baking soda: Used for the boiling step—this is what gives pretzel bites their deep brown color and chewy crust.
- Coarse salt: Sprinkled on top for that crave-worthy salty finish.
- Peeled and diced potatoes: The base of the vegan cheese sauce, making it creamy and thick.
- Peeled and chopped carrots: Adds color and a touch of sweetness to the sauce.
- Nutritional yeast: Brings all the cheesy, umami flavor without dairy.
- Unsweetened non-dairy milk: Helps blend the sauce to silky-smooth perfection.
- Lemon juice: A splash of tang that brightens up the cheese sauce.
- Garlic powder: Adds warmth and depth to the sauce.
- Onion powder: Boosts the savory notes for a more complex flavor.
- Paprika: Gives a hint of color and smoky flavor to the cheese sauce.
How to Make Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce
Step 1: Activate the Yeast
Start by combining the warm water, active dry yeast, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, until it’s nice and foamy on top—this means your yeast is alive and ready to work its magic. If you don’t see any bubbles, your yeast might be expired, so it’s worth double-checking before moving on!
Step 2: Make and Knead the Dough
Add the salt, flour, and olive oil to your foamy yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then turn it onto a floured surface. Knead for 5 to 7 minutes until you have a smooth, elastic dough that bounces back when pressed. This step builds the structure for those perfect, chewy bites.
Step 3: Let It Rise
Transfer your dough to a greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise for about an hour, or until doubled in size. This rise is key to creating soft, airy pretzel bites that puff up beautifully in the oven.
Step 4: Shape and Boil the Pretzel Bites
Punch down the dough and divide it into six equal pieces. Roll each into a rope and cut into bite-sized pieces, about one inch each. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, carefully add the baking soda (it will fizz up!), and boil the pretzel bites in batches for 30 seconds. This quick dip is what gives classic pretzels their signature chewy crust and deep color.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Arrange the boiled bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet, sprinkle with coarse salt, and bake at 425°F for 12 to 15 minutes. Watch as they turn a gorgeous, glossy brown with just the right amount of puff and chew.
Step 6: Make the Vegan Cheese Sauce
While the pretzel bites bake, prepare the cheese sauce. Boil the potatoes and carrots until fork-tender, about 10 minutes, then drain and pop them into a blender. Add nutritional yeast, non-dairy milk, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and paprika. Blend until completely smooth and creamy—add a splash more milk if you want a thinner sauce. Serve it warm for the ultimate dippable delight!
How to Serve Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce
Garnishes
Sprinkle your Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce with extra paprika or finely chopped fresh chives for a pop of color. A dusting of nutritional yeast or a pinch of smoked salt can add even more flavor and visual appeal—don’t be afraid to get creative!
Side Dishes
Pair these pretzel bites with crisp veggie sticks, roasted chickpeas, or a fresh green salad for a more substantial snack spread. The cheese sauce is also fantastic drizzled on roasted potatoes or steamed broccoli for a fun twist.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce on a rustic wooden board, with the cheese sauce in a warm bowl at the center for dipping. For parties, skewer a few pretzel bites onto toothpicks and drizzle with sauce. Or create a DIY dipping bar with hot mustard, extra vegan cheese, and spicy sriracha mayo.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce (lucky you!), store pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. The cheese sauce should go in the fridge, sealed tightly, for up to three days.
Freezing
Pretzel bites freeze beautifully! Once cooled, place them in a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to two months. The vegan cheese sauce can also be frozen in a lidded container—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To enjoy pretzel bites at their best, reheat them in a 350°F oven for about five minutes until warm and slightly crisp. Gently warm the vegan cheese sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, or microwave in short bursts, stirring in between, until hot and creamy again.
FAQs
Can I make Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. Just keep in mind the texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious.
What’s the best non-dairy milk for the cheese sauce?
Any unsweetened, neutral-flavored plant milk works—like soy, almond, oat, or cashew. Just make sure it’s unflavored and unsweetened for the best cheesy taste.
Can I add other flavors to the pretzel bites?
Definitely! Try mixing in garlic powder, dried herbs, or even a sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning right into the dough or on top before baking for extra flavor.
How do I know when the pretzel bites are done baking?
They should be a deep golden brown on top and sound slightly hollow when tapped. If you like them extra chewy, bake a minute less; for a crisper bite, give them a minute more.
Is the vegan cheese sauce good for anything else?
Yes! This sauce is amazing drizzled over nachos, tossed with pasta, or as a dip for roasted veggies. Make a double batch and keep it on hand for easy meals throughout the week.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce—the way they bring people together, the pure comfort in every bite, the joy of dipping one warm, salty nugget after another. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and share it with your favorite people. Trust me: once you taste that irresistible combo, you’ll be hooked!
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Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking, Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce is a delicious and easy-to-make snack perfect for game days or casual gatherings. These chewy, golden pretzel bites are boiled in baking soda water for that authentic pretzel crust and paired with a creamy, savory vegan cheese sauce made from potatoes, carrots, and nutritional yeast. This plant-based appetizer is packed with flavor and completely dairy-free.
Ingredients
Pretzel Bites
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup baking soda (for boiling)
- Coarse salt (for topping)
Vegan Cheese Sauce
- 1 cup peeled and diced potatoes
- 1/4 cup peeled and chopped carrots
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and brown sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
- Prepare Dough: Add salt, all-purpose flour, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms. Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 5–7 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean cloth. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Boiling Water: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and carefully stir in the baking soda, which will cause bubbling.
- Shape Pretzel Bites: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into a rope and cut each rope into 1-inch bite-sized pieces.
- Boil Pretzel Bites: Boil the pretzel bites in batches for 30 seconds in the baking soda water. This step creates the characteristic pretzel crust. Remove the bites with a slotted spoon and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet.
- Season and Bake: Sprinkle the boiled pretzel bites with coarse salt and bake them in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes until they are golden brown.
- Prepare Vegan Cheese Sauce: While the pretzels bake, boil the diced potatoes and carrots until soft, about 10 minutes. Drain and transfer them to a blender. Add nutritional yeast, unsweetened non-dairy milk, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and paprika. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency with more non-dairy milk if needed.
- Serve: Serve the warm pretzel bites with the vegan cheese sauce for dipping or drizzling. Enjoy this flavorful and comforting snack fresh from the oven.
Notes
- Pretzel bites are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days and reheated before serving.
- The vegan cheese sauce is versatile and also works well as a topping for nachos, pasta, or steamed vegetables.
- For extra richness and creaminess in the sauce, consider adding a tablespoon of soaked cashews before blending.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 8–10 pretzel bites with sauce
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
