Description
Homemade beer cheese pretzels combine classic German flavors for a savory snack perfect for gatherings. Salt-crusted twists paired with creamy, hoppy cheese dip offer irresistible comfort for hungry guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup beer (lager or ale)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (360 ml)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 2 tbsps sugar
- 2 tsps salt
- 2/3 cup baking soda (160 ml)
Instructions
- Activate yeast by dissolving sugar in warm water, then sprinkle yeast and allow to bloom for 5 minutes until foamy and fragrant.
- Create pretzel dough by incorporating salt and gradually mixing flour until a cohesive mixture forms, then knead thoroughly until achieving a smooth, elastic texture.
- Allow dough to rest and rise in a draft-free, warm environment for approximately 60 minutes, enabling it to double in volume.
- Carefully transform dough into classic pretzel shapes by rolling and twisting into traditional twisted loops.
- Prepare baking soda bath by submerging pretzels for 30 seconds per side, which enhances exterior browning and creates signature pretzel texture.
- Transfer pretzels onto baking sheet and bake at 425F for 12 minutes, rotating midway to ensure uniform golden-brown coloration.
- Craft cheese sauce by creating a roux with melted butter and flour, then gradually incorporate beer and cheese, whisking continuously until achieving a silky, smooth consistency.
- Serve pretzels immediately with warm, creamy beer cheese dip for optimal flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Check water temperature carefully when activating yeast; too hot kills yeast, too cold prevents activation.
- Knead dough thoroughly to develop gluten, creating a chewy pretzel texture with strong structural integrity.
- Use room temperature beer and cheese for smoother, more consistent cheese sauce without lumps.
- Experiment with different beer styles like dark stout or hoppy IPA to create unique flavor profiles in the cheese dip.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg