This Pretzel Cheese Dip is thick and creamy, full of cheddar cheese, butter, mustard, and hot sauce. Your pretzel is going to taste amazing when you serve it with this dip.
If you love great dips, you should try this Easy BLT Dip and this Garlic Cream Cheese Dip.
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
I absolutely love soft pretzels, and this Pretzel Cheese Dip is perfect for them. The creamy, tasty sauce is great for serving to guests or just enjoying with the family.
- TASTE: Tangy, spicy, and cheesy, this dip has great flavor. The browned butter roux is so good.
- TEXTURE: This Pretzel Cheese Dip is super thick and creamy. It’s also deliciously smooth and not at all grainy.
- TIME: This recipe takes about 15 minutes to make.
- EASE: It’s really easy to make it, and as long as you keep on stirring, you’ll have no problems.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Flour- This will be a part of your roux, the thick foundation for this dip.
- Milk- Milk accounts for most of the liquid in this recipe. Use whole milk for a creamier sauce, as the fat in it binds better with the cheese and butter.
- Butter- This is the other half of the roux and will add flavor and thicken the sauce. Use unsalted to control the sodium level.
- Cheese- Sharp cheddar is best because it has the right texture and lots of flavor. Buy the block to shred yourself for a smoother Pretzel Cheese Dip.
- Hot sauce- I used Frank’s Red Hot, but tabasco and sriracha can also be used, or any other favorite.
- Mustard- Dijon mustard is great on pretzels and this tangy ingredient is also a binder so this cheese sauce stays smooth and together.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add cayenne pepper- Make this extra spicy with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper in addition to the hot sauce.
- Substitute dairy free ingredients- You can make this dairy-free for guests with allergies by substituting plant-based butter, milk, and cheese. You can also use vegan cheese powder.
- Use another cheese- You can also make this dip with Swiss, Gruyere, or cream cheese. Other types of cheddar cheese can work, too, such as white or extra sharp.
- Add beer- Beer is a popular mixer for Pretzel Cheese Dip, and you can add some of your favorite to this recipe for a uniquely yeasty flavor. Darker beers have a more bitter taste, so light varieties are better.
How to Make Pretzel Cheese Dip
- Make a roux. In a medium-sized pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Then add the flour and whisk quickly.
- Add the milk. After about 1 minute, slowly pour in the milk while continuing to mix.
- Add seasonings. Then stir in the garlic powder, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and hot sauce (franks brand).
- Stir in the cheese. Lastly, add in the shredded cheese. Stir until fully melted, and then serve warm.
Pro Tip: Don’t use the pre-shredded cheeses. The added cornstarch will make your sauce too thick and gritty.
Recipe Tips
- Shred your own cheese- Shredded cheese is tossed in starch to keep it from sticking, which also keeps it from melting together. Shred your own cheese to avoid a grainy mess.
- Whisk the roux continuously- Your roux will be very dry and thick so continuously whisk it to avoid it burning and turning into clumps.
- Add the milk slowly- Give the roux a chance to bind with the milk by adding it slowly and stirring it in, working out any clumps now for a smoother cheese dip later.
- Don’t stop stirring until the sauce is smooth- Stir, stir, stir. Make sure the pretzel dip is free of clumps and the cheese has fully melted before putting your whisk down.
FAQs
Soft pretzels are so good in cheesy mustard sauces like this Pretzel Cheese Sauce. The mix of tangy mustard, sharp cheddar, and spicy hot sauce goes really well with all pretzels.
Dips are best with pretzels, such as this Pretzel Cheese Dip, hummus, and beer dips. You can also serve them with trail mix, chips, cheese balls, yogurt, guacamole, and more. Pretzels are versatile and perfect with snacks and dips.
Serving Suggestions
This Pretzel Cheese Dip isn’t just delicious with pretzels. There are lots of other great ways to serve this side dish.
- Meats: Add this to a Homemade Beef Burger Patty on a Brioche Bun (VIDEO), these Loaded Chicken Nachos, or some Smoked Chicken Wings.
- Bread: Dip into it with some Khachapuri – Georgian Cheese Bread, Cornbread Muffins, Super Soft Brioche Dinner Rolls, or Copycat Pizza Hut Breadsticks.
- Vegetables: Enjoy this sauce with your favorite veggies, like Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli, Zucchini Fritters, and Air Fryer Kale Chips.
- Potatoes: Drizzle this over Crispy Air Fryer French Fries, Super Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Air Fryer Baby Potatoes, and Baked Potatoes.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can prep this Pretzel Cheese Dip by pre-shredding a block of cheese and storing it in the fridge until you’re ready to make it. You can also make this dip ahead and refrigerate it until you want to warm and serve.
Storing: Store this dish in an airtight container in the fridge once it has cooled. It will last about 4-5 days. Reheat it on the stovetop, stirring and adding some milk to recombine.
Freeze: Because it will separate while frozen and become grainy as it thaws, I don’t recommend freezing it.
More Delicious Dips!
Full Recipe Instructions
Pretzel Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- Pinch of garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp hot sauce Franks brand
- 8 oz freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a medium sized pot, melt 2 Tbsp unsalted butter over medium-high heat. Then add 2 Tbsp flour and mix quickly using a whisk.
- After about 1 minute, slowly pour in 1 cup of milk while continuing to mix.
- Then stir in a Pinch of garlic powder, 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, and 1 tsp hot sauce (franks brand).
- Lastly, add in 8 oz of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Stir until fully melted. Then serve warm. TIP: don’t use the pre-shredded cheeses. The added cornstarch will make your sauce too thick and gritty.
Notes
- Shred your own cheese- Shredded cheese is tossed in starch to keep it from sticking, which also keeps it from melting together. Shred your own cheese to avoid a grainy mess.
- Whisk the roux continuously- Your roux will be very dry and thick so continuously whisk it to avoid it burning and turning into clumps.
- Add the milk slowly- Give the roux a chance to bind with the milk by adding it slowly and stirring it in, working out any clumps now for a smoother cheese dip later.
- Don’t stop stirring until the sauce is smooth- Stir, stir, stir. Make sure the pretzel dip is free of clumps and the cheese has fully melted before putting your whisk down.
Nutrition
- Crispy Air Fryer French Fries - September 11, 2024
- Fried Zucchini - September 9, 2024
- Peach Pie Filling - September 5, 2024
Leave questions and feedback here