Description
Mozzarella-Stuffed Pretzel Bites are golden-brown, soft pretzel dough pockets filled with gooey mozzarella cheese. Perfectly boiled in baking soda water and baked until crispy, these bite-sized snacks are ideal for serving with marinara sauce as an irresistible appetizer or party treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough and Filling
- 1 lb. store-bought or homemade pizza dough, room temperature
- 8 mozzarella cheese sticks, frozen and halved crosswise
Boiling Solution
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 10 cups water
Finishing
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- 1 large egg, beaten to blend (egg wash)
- Pretzel or flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
- Marinara sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Boiling Solution: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Fill a large pot with 10 cups of water, stir in 1/4 cup of baking soda, and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. This alkaline bath gives the pretzels their characteristic chewy crust.
- Shape the Pretzel Bites: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a 15 by 12-inch rectangle. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, divide the dough into 12 equal rectangles. Place a frozen mozzarella cheese stick half in the center of each rectangle. Carefully wrap the dough around the cheese, pressing firmly to seal all edges well to prevent the cheese from leaking during cooking.
- Boil the Pretzel Bites: Working in batches, gently place the stuffed dough pieces into the boiling baking soda water. Cook them until they float to the surface and begin to puff, about 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Apply Egg Wash and Salt: Brush each boiled pretzel bite with the beaten egg wash to promote a shiny golden crust. Sprinkle with pretzel salt or flaky sea salt evenly for that classic pretzel flavor.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the pretzel bites for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.
- Serve: Arrange the pretzel bites on a platter and serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping, enjoying the melty mozzarella and soft chewy pretzel exterior.
Notes
- Ensure the cheese sticks are frozen before wrapping, as this prevents the cheese from melting too quickly during boiling and baking.
- Sealing the dough edges tightly is crucial to avoid cheese leakage and dough bursting.
- Use a large pot to prevent overcrowding when boiling pretzel bites; cook in batches as needed.
- For extra flavor, you can brush with melted butter after baking and sprinkle additional salt or herbs.
- Serve immediately for the best gooey cheese experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pretzel bites (approx. 100g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
