This is a paid collaboration with Bute Island Foods.
I always underestimated how easy pretzels were to make, well pretzel bites at least (I'm still working on being able to create the perfect pretzel shape) but these little bites of heaven are absolutely perfect and taste exactly how any bakery / store bought version would!
I've teamed up with Bute Island Foods once again, to bring you this delicious and super easy recipe using their mild cheddar "cheese" shreds to create a yummy cheesy dip. This compliments the flavours of the pretzel bites so well as it is mild and creamy, whilst also remaining completely vegan. You've got to try it!
I'm going to be creating some cinnamon versions of these little bites soon to go alongside a chocolate dip so if you love sweet as much as you love this savoury recipe, then you'll love the one that's coming soon too!
This recipe is SO quick and easy to make, so if you have less than half an hour to spare, why not give it a go?!
- PRETZEL BITES AND CHEESY VEGAN DIP -
Makes: 20 Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 8 mins
You will need:
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 tbsp vegan butter, melted
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 1/2 cups plain flour
- 4 tbsp bicarbonate soda
- 2 cups water
- salt
- 2 tbsp vegan butter, melted (for topping)
For the cheesy dip:
- 1 tbsp vegan butter
- 1 tbsp plain flour
- 1/2 dairy free unsweetened milk (I used oat)
- 3/4 cup Bute Island mild cheddar shreds
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Method:
1. In a stand mixer with a hook attachment, add the active dry yeast, sugar and warm water. Mix for about 20 seconds. Stir in the melted vegan butter and and salt before slowly adding the flour. Mix with the hook attachment until a dough forms and the dough is only slightly sticky. If the mixture is too dry, add a tiny bit of warm water.
2. Knead the dough for five minutes before placing it back into the bowl in a ball shape. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes, during this time you can start on the bicarbonate soda mix.
3. In a medium sized saucepan, add the bicarbonate soda and 2 cups of water. Bring this to a boil until the bicarbonate soda has dissolved. Once dissolved, remove from the heat and pour the water into a 8 x 8 (or something close) baking tin. Leave the water to sit until it is lukewarm.
4. By this time the dough should be ready. On a clean floured surface, roll out the dough into a large rectangular shape, around 16 inches long. Cut the dough horizontally into 4. Cut each strip into 4 or 5 segments depending on how big you want them.
5. Place each little dough ball into the bicarbonate soda water mix and coat each of them completely in the water for around 30 seconds each.
6. Line two baking trays with parchment paper and sit each dough ball onto the trays, spacing them out slightly. You may need to reshape the dough at this point for each pretzel bite so they are all even.
7. Place all of the pretzel bites on the trays with a sprinkle of salt on top of each one and place in the oven for 8 - 9 minutes, checking on them frequently as they will burn quickly. Once they are a deep golden brown, remove them from the oven and immediately brush them all with a coating of melted vegan butter.,
8. To make the cheese sauce, melt the vegan butter in a saucepan on low heat. Stir in the flour, continuously stirring so that it doesn't stick. Whisk in the milk slowly, keep cooking and stirring until the sauce begins to thicken.
9. Add the Bute Island mild cheddar shreds to the sauce, once again mixing continuously until the cheese has completely melted into the sauce and there are no lumps.
10. Finally add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce and pour into a small serving bowl to serve alongside your delicious pretzel bites!
This recipe is so delicious and you'll find yourself wanting to eat them all in one go!
You can find Bute Island's mild cheddar shreds here. Also check out their huge range of other vegan cheese alternatives here!
For some more inspiration on what to cook with Bute Islands cheese range, check out some of my previous recipes below:
- 1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls With Cream "Cheese" Icing
- Cheesy "Chicken" & Sweetcorn Pasta
- Cheesy Garlic Bread Sticks With Tomato Dip
What's your favourite cheesy dish?
Love Always,
Shannon x
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