Description
Mozzarella-Stuffed Pretzel Bites are golden, chewy pretzel pieces filled with melted mozzarella cheese, perfect as a savory appetizer or snack. These bites combine the classic flavor of pretzels with gooey cheese centers, served warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Pretzel Dough and Coating
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- 1 lb. store-bought or homemade pizza dough, room temperature
- Pretzel or flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
- 1 large egg, beaten to blend
Filling and Serving
- 8 mozzarella cheese sticks, frozen, halved crosswise
- Marinara sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Soda Bath: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Fill a large pot with 10 cups of water and stir in the baking soda. Bring the water to a boil over high heat—this alkaline bath gives the pretzels their signature chewy crust and deep brown color.
- Shape Dough Around Cheese: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a 15 by 12-inch rectangle. Use a pizza cutter to divide the dough into 12 equal rectangles. Place a frozen mozzarella stick half in the center of each dough piece. Wrap the dough securely around each cheese piece, crimping and pressing down the seams to seal well. Securing the dough is crucial to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking.
- Boil Pretzel Bites: Working in batches, carefully drop the stuffed dough pieces into the boiling baking soda water. Cook them until they float to the surface and start to puff, approximately 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and transfer onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Egg Wash and Salt: Brush each pretzel bite generously with the beaten egg wash to encourage browning. Then sprinkle pretzel or flaky sea salt on top for that classic pretzel flavor and texture.
- Bake Pretzels: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the pretzel bites for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Remove and let them cool slightly to avoid burning from the hot cheese inside.
- Serve: Arrange the pretzel bites on a serving platter and offer warm marinara sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy these cheesy, savory bites as a delightful appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Sealing the dough tightly around the cheese is vital to prevent leakage during boiling and baking.
- Use frozen mozzarella sticks to reduce cheese oozing in the water bath.
- Boiling pretzel bites briefly in baking soda water sets the crust and adds flavor.
- Marinara sauce complements the cheesy pretzels with a tangy contrast.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle additional seasonings like garlic powder or herbs along with the salt before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pretzel bites
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
