Hey there, food lovers! If you’re into snackable treats with big bold flavor, stick around—these mozzarella stuffed soft pretzels are gonna blow your mind. Perfect for movie nights, game day, or just seriously craving something warm, cheesy, and fun to hold.
Why Stuffed Soft Pretzels Are A Win
Let’s face it—traditional pretzels are awesome, but toss in gooey mozzarella and you’ve basically made snack gold. The buttery, salty outside gives way to melted cheese that stretches with every bite. Foodies, you know how the mac‑and‑cheese craze hits you? This is that feeling in pretzel form.
I swear, the first time I made these, I just stood there with a string of cheese dangling from my mouth like, “Okay yeah… this one’s a keeper.”
Main Ingredients & Kitchen Tips
You don’t need a bakery setup to make these. Just some pantry staples and a little patience.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Active dry yeast
- Warm water (around 110°F)
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Salt
- Melted butter
- Mozzarella cheese (cut into cubes or thick sticks)
- Baking soda
- Egg wash (for that shiny finish)
- Coarse salt or seasonings for topping
Quick tip: Let your dough rise somewhere warm—on top of your stove (if it’s not on) or even inside your oven with the light on. It helps it puff up quicker.
Step‑By‑Step: Making Mozzarella Stuffed Soft Pretzels
1. Mix the dough:
In a bowl, combine yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let it sit for 5 minutes—watch it foam up like a science experiment. Stir in flour, salt, and melted butter. Knead until the dough is smooth but still slightly sticky. You can do this by hand or with a dough hook—whatever floats your boat.
2. Let it rise:
Cover the bowl with a towel and let the dough rise for about an hour. It should double in size. This is the part where I usually clean the kitchen, check my texts, and get the cheese prepped.
3. Shape it up:
Once your dough’s all puffy, divide it into about 8 to 10 pieces. Roll each one into a rope, then press a mozzarella stick in the center. Fold the dough over it and pinch all the way along so the cheese is sealed inside. Twist into a pretzel shape—or go rogue and make little knots or sticks. No pretzel police here.
4. The baking soda bath:
Boil about 6 cups of water and carefully stir in ¼ cup baking soda. Drop each pretzel in for 30 seconds, then pull it out with a slotted spoon. This step gives you that chewy crust and deep golden brown color.
5. Prep for the oven:
Lay the pretzels on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with egg wash, then sprinkle with coarse salt or whatever seasoning makes your heart sing (I’m a garlic salt and cracked pepper kinda gal).
6. Bake it up:
Pop them into a 450°F oven for about 12 to 14 minutes. They’ll come out all golden and glossy with cheesy goodness sneaking out the sides—AKA the best part.
7. Let ’em cool a sec:
Don’t rush it. That cheese is hotter than lava right out of the oven. Let ’em sit for a couple minutes before you go in for the big bite.
Fun Variations for the Fam
- Pretzel bites: Perfect for little hands or big parties. Just shape smaller pieces and cut the cheese cubes down.
- Different cheeses: Mozzarella is classic, but sharp cheddar or pepper jack gives a whole new vibe.
- Sweet twist: Wanna go sweet? Skip the cheese, brush with butter, and toss in cinnamon sugar after baking. Then dip in cream cheese frosting. Yep, I said it.
Pretzel Night at My House
So the first time I made these, I figured it’d be a chill weekend snack. But nope—my kids turned it into full-on pretzel night. Everyone wanted their own topping, their own shape. My youngest made something that looked more like a snail than a pretzel, but it was filled with cheese and love, so who cares?
We laid out dips (ranch, pizza sauce, honey mustard—you name it), and it became this goofy, sticky, cheese-filled dinner that I’ll honestly never forget. And yes, the cheese pull pics went straight to the family group chat.
Dip Pairings & Serving Ideas
Now, these pretzels are awesome solo, but let’s be real—we all love a good dip moment. Here’s a few of my go-tos:
- Warm marinara (for the pizza lovers)
- Beer cheese dip (for game day vibes)
- Honey mustard (classic)
- Ranch (because… ranch.)
Serve ‘em in a basket lined with a checkered napkin if you’re feelin’ fancy. Or just pile ’em on a plate and let your people dig in.
Final Thoughts
Mozzarella stuffed soft pretzels are one of those snacks that feel like a little party every time you bake them. Whether you’re feeding a hungry bunch on a weekend or just want to snack hard with something that actually satisfies, this is it. They’re cheesy, warm, buttery, and full of that homemade love that store-bought snacks just can’t match.
Give them a try next time you’re in the kitchen and feel like getting your hands a little doughy. They’re messy, fun, and absolutely worth it.
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