Andy Montoya
Pretzels are a delicious snack, but they're even better when paired with cheese and other tasty sides. Soft pretzels are versatile and can be enjoyed as a quick bite, a unique party treat, or a creative meal idea. They go well with a variety of dips, such as cheese dips, mustard dips, and beer cheese dip. If you're looking for something more substantial, pretzels can be sliced and filled with ham, cheese, and mustard for a hearty sandwich. For a sweet treat, pretzels can be dipped in chocolate or paired with dulce de leche or strawberry jam. So, whether you're craving something savoury or sweet, there are plenty of options to enjoy pretzels and cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of meal | Snack, starter, side, light meal, or entree |
| Type of dish | Savory or sweet |
| Texture | Soft, chewy, salty, crunchy, warm |
| Cheese dips | Beer cheese, Swiss cheese, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, feta |
| Other dips | Mustard, spinach and artichoke, tzatziki, hummus, chocolate, caramel, dulce de leche, strawberry jam, salsa, guacamole, sour cream |
| Other toppings | Marinara sauce, bell peppers, olives, mushrooms, jalapeños, tomatoes, cucumbers, ham, honey, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice |
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What You'll Learn
Soft pretzels and cheese as nachos
Soft pretzels and cheese are a classic pairing, and you can turn them into a fun and creative meal by making pretzel nachos. This is a great option for game nights, parties, or as a family snack.
To make soft pretzel nachos, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut soft pretzels into bite-sized pieces and arrange them on a baking sheet. You can use store-bought or homemade pretzels. Top the pretzel bites with shredded cheese—cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack cheese are great options. You can also make a beer cheese dip by combining cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and beer. If you want to spice things up, add some cayenne pepper or hot sauce to your cheese sauce.
Add jalapeño slices and diced tomatoes on top of the cheese. You can also include other toppings like bell peppers, olives, or mushrooms. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve your pretzel nachos with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream on the side.
If you're looking for a sweeter option, you can make dessert pretzel nachos. Brush the pretzel bites with melted butter and sprinkle with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. You can also dip the pretzels in melted chocolate or serve them with a chocolate hazelnut dip.
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Pretzel pizzas
Dough and Crust
The first step is to prepare the pretzel dough. You can make the dough from scratch, using recipes readily available online, or you can use store-bought pizza dough. Once the dough is ready, roll it out and shape it into a circle, about 14 inches in diameter. If you want a thicker crust, you can let the dough rise for about 45 minutes to an hour. For a crispy and chewy crust, brush the dough with a baking soda solution and sprinkle on some pretzel salt before adding the toppings.
Toppings and Sauce
The beauty of pretzel pizzas is that you can get creative with the toppings. A classic combination is pepperoni and tomato sauce. The sweetness of the tomato sauce pairs perfectly with the salty pretzel crust. You can also top it with shredded mozzarella cheese, bell peppers, olives, mushrooms, or any of your favourite veggies. If you want to add a spicy kick, use pepperoni or sausage with a nice beer cheese sauce and a dollop of spicy mustard. For a more indulgent option, brush the crust with melted butter and sprinkle on some sesame seeds.
Baking
To bake your pretzel pizza, preheat your oven to a high temperature, ideally around 425-500 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your pizza on a preheated cast iron skillet or a regular pizza pan. Bake it for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let it cool down for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Variations
You can also make mini pretzel pizzas or pretzel pizza bites by cutting soft pretzels into bite-sized pieces and topping them with shredded cheese, jalapeño slices, and diced tomatoes. Bake them until the cheese melts and serve them with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream on the side. These bite-sized treats are perfect for parties or as a fun snack.
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Pretzel sandwiches
Soft pretzels are a versatile snack that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including as sandwiches. Here are some ideas for pretzel sandwiches:
Ham and Cheese Pretzel Sandwich
Slice a soft pretzel in half and layer it with slices of ham and your favourite cheese. Add some mustard or mayo for extra flavour. This sandwich is a fun and filling way to enjoy soft pretzels and makes a great lunch or light dinner.
Mediterranean Pretzel Sandwich
Fill a soft pretzel with hummus, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, and feta cheese. This sandwich has a Mediterranean twist and offers a unique alternative to traditional sandwiches.
Pretzel Breakfast Sandwich
For a savoury breakfast option, fill a soft pretzel with scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, and cheddar cheese. You can also add some sliced tomatoes or avocado for extra flavour and texture.
Vegetarian Pretzel Sandwich
Create a vegetarian option by filling a soft pretzel with sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and a balsamic glaze. This sandwich is a refreshing and flavourful option that can be enjoyed as a light lunch or snack.
Chicken and Pesto Pretzel Sandwich
Spread pesto on a soft pretzel and fill it with grilled chicken, sliced tomatoes, and melted mozzarella cheese. This sandwich is a hearty and flavourful option that can be served warm as a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Soft pretzels can also be paired with various dips, such as cheese dips, mustard dips, or sweet dips, to create a unique and tasty snack or side dish. They can also be transformed into pretzel pizzas or nachos for a fun and creative twist.
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Pretzel dip recipes
Soft pretzels are a versatile snack that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, and dips are a great way to elevate this snack. Here are some dip recipes that go well with pretzels:
Beer Cheese Dip
A classic dip to serve with pretzels is the beer cheese dip. This dip combines cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and beer. The amount of beer used can be adjusted to achieve the desired consistency of the dip. This dip can be made a day before and served with pretzels, pita chips, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
Mustard Dip
Pretzels and mustard are a well-known pairing, often seen at Oktoberfest. A mustard dip can be made with mayonnaise, honey, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. For a more complex dip, you can add cheese to the mustard base.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
A warm and creamy spinach artichoke dip is a great pairing with pretzels. This dip is made with cream cheese, spinach, artichoke hearts, and garlic. The contrasting textures and savory flavors of this dip complement the simplicity of soft pretzels.
Sweet Dips
Due to their saltiness, pretzels pair well with sweet dips. Dulce de leche, a caramel-like sauce popular in Latin American cuisine, is a sweet and creamy option. Another sweet dip option is a chocolate hazelnut dip, which can be similar to the chocolate sauce used for churros. For a more indulgent dessert-like experience, consider a cream cheese-based chocolate chip cookie dough dip.
Other Savory Dips
In addition to the above, there are several other dips that go well with pretzels. Hummus, tzatziki sauce, pizza dip, and guacamole are all great options. For a more interactive experience, you can turn your pretzels into pretzel nachos by baking them with shredded cheese, jalapeño slices, and diced tomatoes, and then serving them with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream on the side.
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Pretzels with sweet dips
Pretzels are a versatile snack that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including with sweet dips. Here are some ideas for sweet dips to serve with pretzels:
Dulce de Leche
Dulce de leche is a sweet, creamy, and indulgent caramel-like sauce that is popular in Latin American cuisine. Its sweet and creamy texture pairs well with the saltiness of pretzels, creating a delightful dessert-like experience.
Chocolate Fondue
Chocolate fondue is a classic sweet dip that can be easily made by melting chocolate. The sweet and rich flavours of melted chocolate pair beautifully with the salty pretzel, resulting in an irresistible combination.
Strawberry Jam
Strawberry jam offers a classic, sweet, and tangy option for a pretzel dip. The sweet fruitiness of the jam complements the saltiness of the pretzel, creating a delightful sweet-and-salty taste experience.
Cream Cheese and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip
A fun and easy-to-make dip that combines cream cheese with the flavours of chocolate chip cookie dough. This dip is a reinterpretation of a favourite dessert and is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while adding a unique twist to your pretzels.
Chocolate Hazelnut Dip
Chocolate and hazelnut is a classic combination that works exceptionally well as a dip for pretzels. This dip offers a gooey and indulgent experience, reminiscent of churros dipped in chocolate.
In addition to these sweet dips, there are a variety of savoury dips and toppings that can be paired with pretzels, including cheese dips, mustard dips, hummus, and more. Get creative and experiment with different flavours to find your favourite combinations!
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Frequently asked questions
Some dips that go well with pretzels and cheese include mustard dips, beer cheese dips, spinach and artichoke dip, hummus, tzatziki sauce, and guacamole.
If you're looking for something refreshing and light, consider serving a yogurt-based dip like tzatziki sauce or a quinoa salad.
To make a full meal out of pretzels and cheese, you can turn the pretzels into sandwiches with slices of ham, cheese, and mustard or mayo. You can also serve pretzels with a hearty soup, such as broccoli cheddar soup.
