Vegan Pretzel Bites with Cheese Dip Recipe
These Vegan Pretzel Bites with Cheese Dip are soft, golden, and perfectly seasoned snack-sized pretzels paired with a creamy, flavorful vegan cheese dip made with nutritional yeast and a hint of spices. Easy to prepare with simple ingredients, they make a great appetizer or snack any time of day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 4 servings (about 32 pretzel bites) 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan, American-inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Pretzel Bites
- 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
Cheese Dip
- 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
Instructions
- Make the dough: Combine the flour, instant yeast, and salt in a mixing bowl. Add olive oil and ⅓ cup water. Mix and knead by hand for 4-5 minutes until a soft dough forms, or use a kitchen machine to knead. Adjust with more flour if too sticky or water if too crumbly.
- Let the dough rise: Coat the ball of dough with a drizzle of olive oil and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rest in a warm spot for 2 to 3 hours until it doubles in size.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get ready for baking.
- Shape the pretzel bites: Divide the dough into 4 equal parts. Roll each into ropes and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare baking soda bath: In a medium pot, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Stir in the baking soda until dissolved.
- Boil pretzel bites: Working in batches, boil the pretzel pieces in the baking soda bath for 1 minute. Remove and place them on a parchment-lined baking tray. Sprinkle with coarse salt.
- Bake the bites: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
- Prepare the cheese dip: Heat coconut oil or vegan butter in a small pot over low heat. Add salt, turmeric powder, and curry powder, then stir in the flour and whisk to combine. Add nutritional yeast and whisk until clumpy.
- Finish the dip: Pour in the cider and maple syrup, whisking continuously over low heat for a few minutes until creamy. If too thick, add water or cider to reach desired consistency. Set aside until serving.
- Serve: Plate the warm pretzel bites with the cheese dip and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- If cider is unavailable, substitute with a mix of apple juice and sparkling water for best flavor in the cheese dip.
- Ensure the dough rests in a warm, draft-free spot to properly rise within 2-3 hours.
- Adjust salt on pretzel bites according to taste preferences.
- Can be served as a flavorful appetizer or snack at parties and gatherings.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for yeast baking.
Keywords: vegan pretzel bites, vegan cheese dip, plant-based snacks, homemade pretzels, vegan appetizer
