These cheesy Pull-Apart Pretzel Bites are everything you could want in a game day appetizer! Soft, golden brown pretzels stuffed with sharp cheddar cheese, brushed with honey butter and served with a creamy homemade honey mustard dipping sauce. They’re made with an easy, no-yeast greek yogurt dough and arranged into the shape of a football for a festive snack that everyone will love!
Football season is back which means my husband has once again been promoted to head coach of a fake team for the next 4+ months. It really is an all-consuming job. Occasionally I’ll watch a game with him, but mostly I’m just here for the snacks. And this year I combined two of my favorite and most viral game day recipes, my high-protein soft pretzel bites and my football shaped cheesy stuffed garlic bread rolls, into one delicious appetizer.
The result are these pull-apart pretzel bites with honey mustard dipping sauce, and they exceeded my expectations in every way. Rather than using pizza dough here, we are making a simple two-ingredient greek yogurt dough that gets stuffed with some sharp cheddar cheese & boiled in a baking soda bath. After arranging in the shape of a football and baking until perfectly golden, these pull-apart pretzel bites get finished off with honey butter and a honey mustard dipping sauce on the side.
Not only is this game day recipe beyond adorable, it also is the perfect balance of sweet, salty and savory flavors. It’s pretty addicting, especially fresh out of the oven when the rolls are warm and the cheddar inside is nice and gooey. Serve these at your next football watch party and thank me later!
Why You’ll Love these Homemade Pretzel Bites with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
- These pretzel bites are high in protein and don’t require any yeast or rise time!
- Formed into the shape of a football, they are perfect addition to your game day menu.
- You get the most delicious combo of sweet, salty, cheesy and tangy flavors.
- They turn out perfectly golden and chewy, with melty cheddar cheese in every bite!
What You Need to Make these Pull-Apart Pretzel Bites with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
For the Pull-Apart Pretzel Bites:
- AP Flour: The base of these pretzel bites is AP flour. I have tested this recipe with gluten free 1-to-1 flour (that includes xanthan gum) and it works, but the flavor/texture is not as great.
- Baking Powder: Baking powder will help them puff up!
- Kosher Salt: To enhance the flavor.
- Greek Yogurt or Skyr: These soft pretzel bites are naturally higher in protein, thanks to greek yogurt. I highly recommend using full-fat plain for the best results.
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Each of these pretzel bites is stuffed with a small cube of sharp cheddar cheese, and then we’re using more cheddar on top to mimic the look of football laces.
- Water: Before baking, the pretzel bites go for a dip in a water & baking soda bath.
- Baking Soda: The baking soda raises the pH, which speeds up the Maillard reaction and in turn, gives pretzels that deep brown, glossy crust and distinctive flavor. Don’t skip it!
- Pretzel Salt: Pretzel salt has large, coarse crystals that don’t dissolve quickly. They can be tricky to find in stores, so you may need to order on Amazon.
For the Honey Butter:
- Unsalted Butter: You can also use salted if that’s all you have, you just may want to omit the additional kosher salt. Make sure it’s at room temperature, meaning it should dent went you press a finger into it.
- Honey: To sweeten things up.
- Kosher Salt
For the Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce:
- Greek Yogurt or Skyr: Feel free to substitute mayo if you prefer!
- Dijon & Yellow Mustard: Dijon has a sharper, spicier flavor while yellow mustard is a bit milder, so I like to use an equal blend of both for a balanced dipping sauce.
- Honey: To balance out the tangy, savory flavors of the mustard.
- Garlic Powder & Kosher Salt: Just a dash of each.
How To Make these Football Pull-Apart Pretzel Bites with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
Preheat Oven:
First, preheat your oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
Mix together Pretzel Dough:
In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder & kosher salt. Then, add in the greek yogurt and stir with a spatula until a shaggy dough forms. Switch to your hands to finish stirring/kneading until a smooth dough forms.
Cut Dough into 32 Pretzel Bites:
Next, turn dough out onto a clean work surface and divide it into four equal portions. Roll out each piece into a log, then use a knife or bench scraper to cut it into 8 pieces, for a total of 32 pieces.
Stuff with Cheddar Cheese:
Flatten each piece of dough with your fingers, then add a cube of cheddar cheese in the middle and wrap the dough around it. Pinch the dough to seal it closed and roll it into a ball. Repeat with remaining pretzel bites.
Boil Pretzel Bites & Arrange into a Football:
Add water and baking soda to a large pot and stir to dissolve. Bring up to a gentle boil. Then, add pretzel bites in batches and boil for 15 seconds. Remove them from the pot with a slotted spoon and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Immediately sprinkle with pretzel salt, then repeat with the remaining pretzel bites. Arrange them into the shape of a football, using about 16-17 dough balls for the perimeter and the remaining in the middle.
Bake Pretzel Bites & Prepare Honey Butter:
Transfer pretzel bites to the oven to bake for 15 minutes, or until they’re a deep golden brown color. Meanwhile, add butter, honey and kosher salt to a medium bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer) and beat until incorporated.
Brush with Honey Butter, Add “Laces” & Serve with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce:
Once the pretzel bites come out of the oven, brush them generously with the honey butter (you may have a little extra). Then, cut the slice of cheese into 7 thin rectangles. Arrange them on top of the rolls to resemble football laces. Finally, stir together all of the honey mustard dipping sauce ingredients and serve alongside the warm pull-apart pretzel bites. Enjoy!
Substitution FAQs:
- Can I make these pretzel bites gluten free? I would recommend sticking with AP flour, as the taste and texture of these pretzel bites turn out kinda funky when using a gluten free 1-to-1 flour blend.
- Can I use low-fat or non-fat greek yogurt instead? Those will both work, as long as they’re plain. However, I much prefer the rich flavor of full-fat greek yogurt or skyr.
- Can I use a different type of cheese? I love how the sharp cheddar compliments the honey butter and honey mustard, but feel free to use whatever cheese you prefer (mozzarella, pepper jack, provolone, etc).
- Do I really need to do the baking soda bath? YES! That’s what gives these pretzel bites their classic deep golden brown color and chewy crust. I promise it’s worth the few extra minutes.
- Where can I buy pretzel salt? What can I use instead? I couldn’t find it at any of my local grocery stores, so I ordered this one on Amazon. In a pinch, you can substitute coarse kosher salt.
- Can I make these pull-apart pretzel bites in advance? I haven’t personally tested this, but if you want to get a head start, I’d recommend preparing the dough and stuffing each pretzel bite with cheddar up to 4 hours in advance. Keep them covered in the fridge, then wait to do the baking soda bath until you’re ready to bake! You can also prepare the honey butter and honey mustard dipping sauce ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge. That way, all that’s left to do is boil, bake & enjoy!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
These pull-apart pretzel bites are definitely best enjoyed warm and fresh, but if you have leftovers, allow them to cool down and then transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 2-3 days. Store the honey mustard dipping sauce in its own separate container in the fridge. I highly recommend warming up leftovers in microwave to re-melt the cheese and soften up the dough!
Find the full recipe below. As always, please let me know if you tried it by commenting below or tagging me on Instagram, @munchinwithmaddie_.
Looking for More Game Day Recipes?
- Cheesy Stuffed Garlic Bread Rolls
- Baked Buffalo Chicken Taquitos
- Crispy Gluten Free Chicken Tenders
- Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
Pull-Apart Pretzel Bites with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
Equipment
- medium bowl
- whisk
- spatula
- knife or bench scraper
- large pot
- slotted spoon
- baking sheet
- silicone baking mat or parchment paper
- medium bowl
- hand or stand mixer
- Pastry brush
- small bowl
- spoon
Ingredients
For the Pull-Apart Pretzel Bites:
- 1 ½ cups AP flour (180g)
- 2 ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp full-fat plain greek yogurt or skyr (192g)
- 9 cups water
- ½ cup baking soda
- pretzel salt
- 32 small cubes of sharp cheddar cheese (about 4.3oz)
- 1 slice of sharp cheddar cheese
For the Honey Butter:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 2 tbsp honey
- kosher salt to taste
For the Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce:
- ¼ cup full-fat plain greek yogurt or skyr (57g)
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- dash of garlic powder & kosher salt
Video
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder & kosher salt. Then, add in the greek yogurt and stir with a spatula until a shaggy dough forms. Switch to your hands to finish stirring/kneading until a smooth dough forms.1 ½ cups AP flour, 2 ¼ tsp baking powder, ¾ tsp kosher salt, 1 cup + 2 tbsp full-fat plain greek yogurt or skyr
- Turn. dough out onto a clean work surface and divide it into four equal portions. Roll out each into a log, then use a knife or bench scraper to cut each into 8 pieces, for a total of 32 pieces.
- Flatten each piece of dough with your fingers, then add a cube of cheddar cheese in the middle and wrap the dough around it. Pinch the dough to seal it closed and roll it into a ball. Repeat with remaining pretzel bites.32 small cubes of sharp cheddar cheese
- Add water and baking soda to a large pot and stir to dissolve. Bring up to a gentle boil. Then, add pretzel bites in batches and let boil for 15 seconds. Remove them from the pot with a slotted spoon and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Immediately sprinkle with pretzel salt, then repeat with remaining pretzel bites. Arrange them into the shape of a football, using about 16-17 dough balls for the perimeter and the remaining in the middle.9 cups water, ½ cup baking soda, pretzel salt
- Transfer to the oven to bake for 15 minutes, or until they are a deep golden brown. Meanwhile, add butter, honey and kosher salt to a medium bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer) and beat until incorporated.¼ cup unsalted butter, 2 tbsp honey, kosher salt
- Once the pretzel bites come out of the oven, brush them generously with the honey butter (you may have a little extra). Then, cut the slice of cheese into 7 thin rectangles. Arrange them on top of the rolls to resemble football laces.1 slice of sharp cheddar cheese
- Finally, stir together all of the honey mustard dipping sauce ingredients and serve alongside the warm pull-apart pretzel bites. Enjoy!¼ cup full-fat plain greek yogurt or skyr, 1 tbsp dijon mustard, 1 tbsp yellow mustard, 2 tbsp honey, dash of garlic powder & kosher salt
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @munchinwithmaddie_ on Instagram and/or hashtag it #munchinwithmaddie.