There’s nothing quite as fun—or delicious—as homemade snacks straight from your own oven, and this Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe is sure to become an instant favorite. Each pillowy, golden-brown pretzel bite brings all the joy of classic soft pretzels, while the velvety vegan cheese sauce is rich, creamy, and unbelievably dairy-free. It’s the kind of shareable dish that draws everyone to the kitchen, whether for a cozy weekend get-together or a weeknight craving. Plus, this recipe is completely plant-based, relying on everyday staples to create bold, irresistible flavor and texture.

Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes this Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe truly special is its simplicity—every ingredient has a purpose. You’ll find pantry basics and a handful of fresh veggies coming together for crave-worthy results, with each component playing its part in either the bouncy pretzel dough or the silky, golden cheese sauce.

Warm water (1 1/2 cups, 110°F): The perfect temperature to activate your yeast so your dough rises beautifully.
Active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons): Gives the pretzel bites their signature fluffy, airy texture.
Brown sugar (1 tablespoon): Feeds the yeast and lends a subtle depth to the dough.
All-purpose flour (4 cups): The backbone of soft pretzels, offering just the right structure for tender bites.
Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances the pretzel flavor throughout.
Olive oil (2 tablespoons): Adds richness and keeps each bite soft inside.
Baking soda (1/2 cup): Crucial for that classic chewy crust—don’t skip the baking soda bath!
Coarse salt: The finishing touch for that iconic pretzel top.
Peeled and diced potatoes (1 cup): The base of the vegan cheese sauce for incredible creaminess.
Diced carrots (1/4 cup): Adds color and natural sweetness to the sauce.
Raw cashews (1/4 cup): Blends to a velvety finish without any dairy.
Unsweetened plant milk (1/2 cup): Opt for oat or almond to keep the flavor neutral and silky.
Nutritional yeast (1/4 cup): Delivers cheesy umami, completely dairy-free.
Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): For a hint of tang, brightening up the sauce.
Olive oil (2 tablespoons): Adds extra richness and a glossy finish.
Apple cider vinegar (1 teaspoon): Gives that subtle sharpness that cheese sauces need.
Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Takes the flavor up a notch with savory notes.
Onion powder (1/2 teaspoon): Rounds out the sauce, making it truly addictive.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Binds all the flavors in the cheese sauce.
Turmeric (1/4 teaspoon): A tiny bit gives your sauce a gorgeous yellow hue.
Smoked paprika (1/4 teaspoon): Contributes depth and a touch of smokiness for that wow factor.

How to Make Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a large bowl, combine the warm water, active dry yeast, and brown sugar. Give it a gentle mix and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture turns foamy. This means your yeast is alive and ready to help the dough rise, which is key for those irresistibly soft bites.

Step 2: Prepare and Knead the Dough

Add your all-purpose flour, salt, and olive oil to the bowl. Mix everything until a dough begins to form, then transfer to a lightly floured surface. Knead by hand for about 5–7 minutes, working until the dough becomes silky and elastic. Place it in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it’s doubled in size.

Step 3: Shape the Pretzel Bites

Once your dough has risen, give it a gentle punch down to release trapped air. Divide it into four even pieces. Roll each piece into a rope (about 1-inch thick), then slice into bite-sized segments. You’re aiming for those classic pretzel-shaped nuggets everyone loves to pop in their mouth!

Step 4: The Baking Soda Bath

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and carefully add the baking soda—this is what creates that signature chewy pretzel crust. Drop your uncooked pretzel bites into the bath in batches, boiling each for about 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they stay plump and separate.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

After their soda bath, immediately sprinkle the pretzel bites with coarse salt so it sticks perfectly. Slide them into a preheated 425°F oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until each bite is golden brown and puffy. The kitchen will smell heavenly!

Step 6: Make the Vegan Cheese Sauce

While the pretzels bake, put the potatoes, carrots, and raw cashews in a pot and cover with water. Boil for roughly 10 minutes until everything is fork-tender. Drain, then place the veggies and cashews in a blender. Add the plant milk, nutritional yeast, olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, turmeric, and smoked paprika. Blend everything until super smooth and creamy, pausing to scrape the sides as needed. Adjust consistency with a splash more plant milk if you prefer a looser dip.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy!

The moment you’ve been waiting for: Serve the warm, fresh-from-the-oven pretzel bites alongside your luscious vegan cheese sauce. Every bite is a dance of fluffy dough and cheesy, savory goodness. Enjoy right away for maximum deliciousness!

How to Serve Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe

Garnishes

A great garnish adds visual excitement and a bit of extra flavor! Try sprinkling freshly chopped chives, a pinch more smoked paprika, or even sesame seeds over the plate. A light drizzle of olive oil over the vegan cheese sauce gives it a gorgeous, glossy finish—perfect for dipping.

Side Dishes

While this Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe holds its own as a fantastic appetizer, it also pairs beautifully with crisp veggie sticks, pickled cucumbers, or a fresh salad. If you’re looking for heartier sides, consider roasted chickpeas or a bowl of hearty tomato soup, which complements those iconic pretzel flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For an unforgettable presentation, arrange the pretzel bites in a circular pattern around a central bowl of vegan cheese sauce or thread them onto skewers for a fun party platter. For gatherings, make a pretzel bite “board” with an assortment of dips and crunchy veggies, creating a show-stopping snack spread!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover pretzel bites keep well for up to 2 days at room temperature in an airtight container. For longer storage, refrigerate both the pretzel bites and the cheese sauce separately, each in a sealed container.

Freezing

Pretzel bites freeze beautifully after baking—lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. They’ll keep fresh for up to 2 months and are easy to reheat for those moments you crave a quick snack.

Reheating

To reheat, place the pretzel bites on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes until warmed through. The vegan cheese sauce can be gently reheated on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash more plant milk to restore the creamy texture if needed.

FAQs

Can I make the pretzel dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the dough, let it rise, then cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking for extra convenience.

What nuts can I substitute if I can’t eat cashews?

If you’re nut-free, you can substitute the cashews with sunflower seeds (raw and shelled). It’ll give the cheese sauce a creamy consistency without using nuts, though the flavor will be slightly different.

Is it possible to make these gluten-free?

Yes, but the texture will change. Substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (with xanthan gum) for the flour—keep in mind that the dough will be more delicate. The rest of the Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe is naturally gluten-free.

How can I make the cheese sauce spicier?

For a spicy kick, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce or a pinch of chipotle powder to the cheese sauce when blending. It transforms the dip into a bold, smoky treat!

Can I double the Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe for a crowd?

Definitely! This recipe doubles (and even triples) easily. Simply scale up each ingredient, work in batches, and be prepared for everyone to ask for seconds—the combination is always a hit at parties.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing snack that’s as comforting as it is impressive, try this Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe. It’s simple enough for everyday cravings yet special enough to share, so roll up your sleeves and treat yourself (and your friends) to homemade happiness.

Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegan

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Description

Enjoy these Soft Pretzel Bites with a creamy Vegan Cheese Sauce for a delicious and satisfying snack or appetizer. The pretzel bites are perfectly golden on the outside and soft on the inside, while the vegan cheese sauce adds a flavorful and cheesy touch without any dairy.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pretzel Bites:

1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup baking soda (for boiling)
coarse salt (for topping)

For the Vegan Cheese Sauce:

1 cup peeled and diced potatoes
1/4 cup diced carrots
1/4 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup unsweetened plant milk
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

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Instructions

Prepare the Pretzel Bites: In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and brown sugar. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy. Add flour, salt, and olive oil, and knead until a smooth dough forms, about 5–7 minutes. Cover and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add baking soda carefully. Punch down the dough and divide into 4 pieces. Roll each into a rope and cut into 1-inch bites. Boil the pretzel bites in batches for 30 seconds, then transfer to the baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden brown.
Make the Vegan Cheese Sauce: Boil the potatoes, carrots, and cashews together for about 10 minutes or until soft. Drain and add to a blender along with plant milk, nutritional yeast, olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, turmeric, and smoked paprika. Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency with extra plant milk if needed.
Serve: Serve the warm pretzel bites with the vegan cheese sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

Use oat or almond milk for a neutral-flavored cheese sauce.
Pretzel bites can be frozen after baking and reheated in the oven.
For a spicier version, add hot sauce or chipotle powder to the vegan cheese sauce.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking, Boiling, Blending
Cuisine: American