Homemade Pretzel Bites Recipe with Ham and Cheese

This delicious homemade pretzel bites recipe is the PERFECT party or game day food! Don’t be intimidated by the cooking process. It’s way easier than it looks! You will not be disappointed.

Original recipe: February 2012 | Updated: January 2022

Why This Recipe Works

Back in my poor, single years, I was a waitron at Timberwolves games. Isn’t that a funny word? Waitron?

Anyhow, before the madness began each night, we had the option to eat either a free hot dog or a free soft pretzel. I usually opted for the pretzel, along with a container of warm, gooey cheese for dipping and never got tired of it.

I have not sunk my teeth into a soft pretzel since my waitron days, so when I bit into these my tastebuds did cartwheels! Reunited with the beloved soft pretzel!

Recipe Ingredients

• Dough ingredients – If desired, forego making dough with yeast by either purchasing no-yeast frozen pizza dough from the store or by making a quick no-yeast dough at home. Scroll down for instructions!
• Cheese – Use any variety of melty cheese, such as mozzarella, cheddar, cojack, provolone or muenster.
• Ham – If desired, replace ham with cooked bacon crumbles or cooked ground meat of any variety.

How To Make Soft Pretzel Bites

Step 1

In a small bowl, combine:

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 cup warm milk (110-115 degrees F)

Stir until the sugar is dissolved.

In a large bowl, combine:

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• Warm milk mixture
• 1 package (1/4 oz.) instant dry yeast

Stir until a soft dough forms. Add more flour as needed (up to 1/2 cup). Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead a few times, forming a smooth ball.

Step 2

Brush the inside of a large clean bowl with olive oil. Transfer the dough to the bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap.

Allow it to rise in a warm, draft-free area for about 2 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size and bubbles appear on the surface.

Step 3

Turn the pretzel dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into 4 equal pieces.

Lightly dust a rolling pin with flour and roll each piece of dough into roughly a 12×4-inch rectangle. As you can see, my rectangles are not quite rectangles.

Step 4

With the long sides facing you, place the following ingredients onto the bottom third of each piece of dough:

• A quarter of 1/2 cup finely chopped ham
• A quarter of 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Roll the dough as tightly as you, starting with the long edge holding the ham and cheese.

Cut each roll into 12 equal pieces.

Transfer the pieces to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let them rest, uncovered, at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.

Step 5

Bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add 4 teaspoons of baking soda to the boiling water and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.

Boil the pretzels in batches, cooking for about 20 seconds each and turning once. It is totally normal to have a few casualties during this step in the process.

They should look slightly puffed when done. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them back to the baking sheet.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until they are puffed and golden, about 15 minutes.

Brush with 4 tablespoons of melted butter and sprinkle with 1-2 tablespoons of coarse kosher salt.

Serve warm! Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

• Use a thermometer such as the Thermapen to ensure your milk reaches the proper temp (110-115 degrees F).
• Buy pre-cooked, pre-diced ham to make this recipe even easier.
• Any melting cheese works great. Mozzarella, cheddar or provolone are all delicious options.
• Simplify the recipe by making your own quick dough. Skip steps 1 and 2 in the recipe card entirely.

Easy No Yeast Pizza Dough Recipe

With just 20 minutes of prep and 5 ingredients, this no yeast pizza dough is ready to be put in the oven! No yeast, rising or waiting is required and it produces a perfect pizza (or pretzel bites!) every time.

Dips For Pretzel Bites

• Seasoned sour cream
• Ketchup
• Honey mustard dipping sauce
• Cheese dip
• BBQ sauce
• Marinara sauce
• Cilantro lime sauce
• Ranch dressing

FAQ About Pretzel Bites

What is a Pretzel?

There are two ways to prepare pretzels, but our version is similar to the original breaded treat from Germany. Maybe you’re familiar with them from a street cart vendor or a mall shop that entices you to buy one from the smells wafting around you.

While it can be served in a variety of ways, the treat was often twisted into a knot and salted with a chewy exterior and a soft bread interior. Using lye was one way to prepare pretzel’s and a baking soda bath is a more simpler way, that we use in our recipe.

Pretzels can be prepared with salt, sugar, dipped into cheese or chocolate and also served hard like a chip or soft like the bread made in this recipe. It is fun to create different shapes and flavors to enjoy this old school treat!

Party Food Recipes

• Instant Pot Cake made with a BOX MIX is super moist and flavorful and much less porous than its oven-baked counterpart. Make this easy dessert for your next party! 
• Fries or chips served with Seasoned Sour Cream makes the perfect party food.
• This EASY 3 can chili recipe requires is a super comforting dish that is packed with flavor and requires only 30 minutes of your time. Great for gatherings!
• Pickle Rollups are most perfect appetizer for any type of gathering! Only THREE ingredients, ten minutes of your time and guests will be raving!

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