Cheese And Pretzel Pairing: The Best Combos To Try

Pretzels and cheese are a classic combination, but what type of cheese works best? A sharp cheddar cheese sauce is a popular choice, and it's easy to make at home. This sauce is perfect for dipping soft pretzels, pretzel bites, or even spreading on a pretzel bun. You can also add some hot sauce or cayenne pepper for an extra kick. If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different types of cheese, such as white cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack. So, the next time you're looking for a tasty snack, why not try making your own pretzel cheese sauce? It's a great way to elevate your pretzel game!

Beer cheese dip

A great snack for game day, or any time you're craving something cheesy, beer cheese dip is an easy-to-make treat that's perfect with pretzels. Here's a recipe to get you started, with some tips on how to customise it to your taste.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of butter (salted or unsalted)
• 3 tablespoons of flour
• 3/4 cup of whole milk or half-and-half
• 2/3 cup of beer (a lager, ale, or your preference)
• 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper
• 2 and 1/2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or a combination of white cheddar and regular sharp cheddar)

Method

• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
• Add the flour and whisk together until a thick, clumpy paste forms (this is called a roux).
• Slowly whisk in the milk. Continue whisking until the mixture thickens.
• Whisk in the remaining ingredients one at a time: beer, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika or cayenne pepper, and finally the cheese.
• Remove from heat and pour into a serving dish. The dip will thicken as it cools.

Customisation

This recipe is very customisable. You can use any type of beer you like, from a dark stout to a light IPA, or even a non-alcoholic beer. Just remember that darker beers go better with pretzels and other carbs, while lighter beers pair well with veggies.

You can also experiment with different types of cheese. While sharp cheddar is a popular choice, you could try pepper jack, gouda, gruyere, colby, or even cream cheese for a richer, smoother dip. Just make sure to use a harder cheese that melts well, and shred it yourself for the best texture.

Finally, feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste. You can add more or less garlic, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper, or throw in some onion powder or hot sauce for an extra kick.

Cheddar cheese dip

Ingredients

• Butter (salted or unsalted)
• Flour (all-purpose or cornflour)
• Milk (whole milk is best, but any variation will work)
• Cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar is recommended, but any type of mild cheddar or other cheese will work)
• Salt

Optional Ingredients

• Hot sauce
• Cream cheese
• Cayenne pepper or chilli powder
• Mustard

Method

• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Whisk in flour and cook for about a minute until a thick paste forms.
• Gradually add milk and whisk until the mixture thickens.
• Remove from heat and add cheese and salt. For a spicy dip, also add hot sauce and cayenne pepper or chilli powder.
• Whisk until the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth. For a richer dip, add cream cheese.
• For a mustard cheese dip, add a tablespoon or two of mustard.
• Serve immediately with pretzels, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Tips

• If the cheese sauce is too thick, add milk gradually until the desired consistency is reached.
• To keep the dip warm, transfer it to a small slow cooker or mini crockpot.
• This dip can also be served with tortilla chips, vegetables, or bread.

Mustard cheese dip

Ingredients

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1-3 tsp hot sauce
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/8 tsp sweet paprika
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard

Method

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.
• Once melted, add the flour and whisk until a thick paste forms. Continue cooking for 1-2 minutes until slightly golden.
• Gradually add the milk, a little at a time, whisking constantly until it is all used up. Make sure there are no lumps.
• Bring to a gentle boil and cook for a few minutes until the mixture thickens.
• Remove from the heat and gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, whisking as you go.
• Add the Dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and paprika. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• Serve with soft pretzels.

Tips

• For a beer cheese dip, substitute half of the milk with your favourite beer.
• For a richer dip, add a tablespoon of cream cheese when adding the shredded cheese.
• If the dip is too thick, gradually add more milk until you reach your desired consistency.
• To make a spicy mustard dip, add some hot sauce or cayenne pepper.
• This dip can be served warm or cold.

Spicy cheese dip

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (about 55g) of unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup (about 30g) of all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (480ml) of milk (preferably whole milk)
• 2 cups (about 250g) of shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons of hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional ingredients:

• 1-2 tablespoons of cream cheese
• 1-2 tablespoons of mustard
• 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch (or cornflour)
• 1-2 jalapenos, seeded and minced
• 2 chipotle chiles, minced (canned in adobo sauce)
• 1 shallot, finely minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Method:

First, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Next, add the flour and stir until a thick paste forms. This will take about 1-2 minutes.

Then, slowly add the milk, whisking constantly for about 3-5 minutes, or until the mixture thickens.

Now, add the cheese and whisk until it is fully melted. You can also add the cream cheese at this stage if you want a richer dip.

Finally, add the hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and season with salt and pepper to taste. If you want to add mustard, this is the time to do it!

This dip is best served warm, but it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Simply reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave when you're ready to enjoy it again.

Tips:

• If the cheese dip is too thick, gradually add more milk until you reach your desired consistency.
• For a spicy kick, add some cayenne pepper or chilli powder.
• For extra spice, you can also add jalapenos, chipotle chiles, or garlic.
• If you're making this dip in advance, you can keep it warm in a mini crockpot or slow cooker.
• This dip goes well with soft pretzels, tortilla chips, veggies, or even drizzled over baked potatoes or steamed broccoli.

Cream cheese dip

A cream cheese dip is a great pairing with pretzels, especially soft pretzels. Here are some ideas for cream cheese dips that you can make:

Sweet Cream Cheese Dip

This dip is perfect for those with a sweet tooth. It is smooth, silky, and creamy, and goes well with cinnamon sugar soft pretzel bites. It is also great for dipping fruit. To make this dip, you will need cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream. Beat the cream cheese and butter, then add the sugar and vanilla. Finally, add the cream to thin out the dip.

Cream Cheese and Beer Dip

This dip is perfect for a comforting snack and is a crowd-pleaser. It is smooth and creamy, and easy to make. You will need cream cheese, light beer, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried dill. Beat the cream cheese until smooth, then add the beer, and mix in the spices and cheese.

Creamy Cheese Sauce

This classic cheese sauce is perfect for dipping pretzels, nachos, and more. It is easy to make and uses simple ingredients. You will need butter, flour, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, and salt. First, melt the butter in a saucepan, then whisk in the flour and milk. Finally, remove from the heat and add the cheese and salt, whisking until smooth.

Cream Cheese and Chili Dip

For those who like a bit of spice, this dip is perfect. It is great for dipping pretzels, tortilla chips, or vegetables. To make this dip, you will need cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Combine the cheeses and milk in a saucepan and heat, stirring constantly, until the cheeses melt. Then, stir in the hot sauce, salt, and pepper.

Cream Cheese and Ranch Dip

This dip is super easy to make and full of flavor. It is perfect for dipping pretzels, crackers, or vegetables. You will need cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, a packet of dry ranch dressing mix, shredded cheddar cheese, and green onions. Simply combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and chill for at least two hours before serving.

Frequently asked questions