Name: Vegan Pretzel Bites with Cheese Dip Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 3 h 40 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 1¼ cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting); ½ teaspoon instant yeast; ⅛ teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon olive oil (plus extra to coat dough); ⅓ cup water + 3 cups water, divided; 1½ tablespoons baking soda; 2 teaspoons coarse salt; 1 tablespoon coconut oil (melted) or vegan butter; ¼ teaspoon salt (to taste); ⅛ teaspoon turmeric powder; ⅛ teaspoon curry powder; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast; ¼ cup cider (or mix of apple juice and sparkling water); ½ teaspoon maple syrup

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Introduction

These vegan pretzel bites are soft, chewy, and perfect for snack time or parties. Paired with a creamy cider cheese dip, they offer a deliciously satisfying treat that’s entirely plant-based.

A black pan filled with many small, golden-brown pretzel bites that are sprinkled with coarse salt, showing a shiny, slightly cracked surface with light and dark brown shades. In the top left corner of the pan, there is a round white bowl containing thick, creamy cheese sauce with a light yellow color and some small bits on top. The background has a white marbled texture, and a few pretzel bites are placed outside the pan at the edges of the frame. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1¼ cups all-purpose flour (and a bit more for dusting)
½ teaspoon instant yeast
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon olive oil (and a bit more to coat the dough)
⅓ cup water + 3 cups divided
1½ tablespoons baking soda
2 teaspoons coarse salt
1 tablespoon coconut oil melted (or vegan butter)
¼ teaspoon salt (to taste)
⅛ teaspoon turmeric powder
⅛ teaspoon curry powder
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
¼ cup cider (or mix apple juice and sparkling water if unavailable)
½ teaspoon maple syrup

Instructions

Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, and salt. Add olive oil and ⅓ cup water. Mix and knead by hand until a soft dough forms, about 4 to 5 minutes. Adjust with more flour if too sticky or more water if too crumbly.
Step 2: Coat the dough ball with a drizzle of olive oil, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rest in a warm spot for 2 to 3 hours until it doubles in size.
Step 3: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Divide the dough into 4 parts, roll each into ropes, and cut into bite-sized pieces.
Step 4: Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot. Add baking soda and stir to combine.
Step 5: Working in batches, cook the pretzel bites in the baking soda bath for 1 minute. Remove and place them on a parchment-lined baking tray. Sprinkle with coarse salt.
Step 6: Bake pretzel bites for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
Step 7: For the cheese dip, heat coconut oil or vegan butter in a small pot over low heat. Add salt, turmeric, and curry powder, then whisk in the flour until clumpy.
Step 8: Gradually whisk in cider and maple syrup, cooking on low heat until creamy. Adjust thickness with more water or cider if needed. Set aside until serving.
Step 9: Serve the warm pretzel bites with the cider cheese dip and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Use sparkling water mixed with apple juice if you don’t have cider on hand to keep the dip flavorful.
If you prefer, top pretzel bites with sesame seeds or poppy seeds before baking for extra texture.
For a gluten-free version, try substituting the flour with a gluten-free baking blend, though texture may vary.

Storage

Store leftover pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness. The cheese dip keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; gently warm it before serving.

How to Serve

The image shows a pile of golden-brown soft pretzel bites sprinkled with coarse salt, arranged partly on a white plate lined with white paper. One pretzel bite is dipped into a creamy, smooth, light yellow cheese sauce served in a white bowl, which has a few fresh green parsley leaves on top for garnish. The pretzel bites have a shiny, textured surface with small cracks showing a soft inside, and the cheese sauce looks thick and rich against the white marbled surface beneath. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze these pretzel bites?

Yes, you can freeze the baked pretzel bites in a sealed container for up to 1 month. Reheat directly from frozen in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.

What makes the pretzels chewy and soft?

The combination of boiling in baking soda water before baking creates the signature chewy crust while keeping the inside soft. Letting the dough rise properly also helps achieve that perfect texture.