If you love the chewy goodness of homemade pretzels combined with a kick of heat and cheesy flavor, these Twisted Jalapeño Cheddar Pretzels are your new go-to snack. Imagine soft, warm pretzels with a spicy jalapeño filling, twisted into perfect shapes, and loaded with melted cheddar cheese. These pretzels are perfect for game day, a party appetizer, or just when you’re craving something a little extra.
Are you ready to twist up something amazing? Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cheesy & Spicy – The perfect balance of creamy cheddar cheese and fiery jalapeños.
- Homemade Pretzels – Soft, chewy pretzels that you can make from scratch right at home.
- Fun to Make – Twist the dough yourself for a fun, hands-on cooking experience.
- Perfect Snack – Great for parties, movie nights, or just when you want something delicious to munch on.
Ingredients
(Full ingredient list with measurements is in the recipe card below!)
For the Pretzel Dough
- Warm water – To activate the yeast.
- Active dry yeast – The secret to soft, fluffy pretzels.
- Sugar – To feed the yeast and help the dough rise.
- All-purpose flour – The base for the dough.
- Salt – For flavor.
- Butter – Adds richness and softness to the dough.
For the Jalapeño Cheddar Filling
- Cheddar cheese – Shredded, for that gooey, melty filling.
- Jalapeños – Diced and seeds removed, for just the right amount of heat.
- Cream cheese – To bind everything together and add creaminess.
For the Pretzel Coating
- Baking soda – To give the pretzels that classic golden-brown crust.
- Water – To dissolve the baking soda.
- Kosher salt – For sprinkling on top of the pretzels before baking.
Directions
Step 1: Make the Pretzel Dough
In a large bowl, mix warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy. Stir in the flour, salt, and melted butter, and knead the dough until it’s smooth and elastic (about 5-7 minutes). Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Prepare the Jalapeño Cheddar Filling
In a bowl, mix together the shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and diced jalapeños. Set aside.
Step 3: Shape the Pretzels
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Punch down the dough and divide it into 8-10 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 12 inches in length. Flatten the rope slightly and spoon some of the jalapeño cheddar filling along the center. Fold the dough over the filling, pinch the edges, and twist into a pretzel shape.
Step 4: Boil the Pretzels
In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add baking soda. Gently place the pretzels into the boiling water, one at a time, for about 30 seconds. This step helps create that chewy crust! Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 5: Bake the Pretzels
Sprinkle each pretzel with kosher salt and bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Step 6: Serve
Once the pretzels are done, let them cool for a few minutes, then serve them warm and enjoy!
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Add more heat – If you love spice, add extra jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the filling for an extra kick.
- Cheese options – You can mix cheddar with other cheeses like Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a different flavor profile.
- Twist the dough – If you’re new to twisting pretzels, don’t worry! Just roll the dough into a rope, fold it in half, then twist the two ends around each other before shaping.
- Keep them warm – Pretzels are best enjoyed warm, but if you’re serving them later, reheat in the oven for a few minutes to restore that crispy texture.
Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Vegan Version – Use dairy-free cheese and vegan cream cheese in place of the regular cheese and cream cheese.
- Bacon Lovers – Add crispy bacon bits to the filling for an extra savory twist.
- Different fillings – Try filling the pretzels with a mixture of spinach and feta cheese for a Mediterranean version.
Serving & Pairing Suggestions
- Dipping Sauce – Serve with ranch dressing, sour cream, or spicy mustard for dipping.
- Beer – These pretzels pair perfectly with a cold glass of beer, especially something with a little bitterness to balance the richness of the cheese.
- Side Salad – For a lighter side, pair with a fresh green salad or coleslaw.
- Soup – Serve with a warm bowl of tomato soup or cheddar cheese soup for a cozy, comforting meal.
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Store: Keep any leftover pretzels in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
- Freeze: You can freeze the pretzels for up to 1 month. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing.
- Reheat: To reheat, pop the pretzels in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes to crisp them up again.
FAQs
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough, let it rise, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before shaping and baking the pretzels.
2. Can I use store-bought dough?
If you’re short on time, feel free to use store-bought pizza dough or pretzel dough as a shortcut.
3. Can I make these without jalapeños?
Of course! You can skip the jalapeños entirely or replace them with other ingredients like diced bell peppers or caramelized onions.
4. How can I make these pretzels crispy?
To ensure crispy pretzels, make sure to boil them in baking soda water before baking. This step creates that chewy yet crisp crust you love!
In Conclusion
These Twisted Jalapeño Cheddar Pretzels are the ultimate combination of spicy, cheesy, and savory in a soft, chewy pretzel. Whether you’re snacking on them during a movie night or serving them at your next party, they’re sure to be a hit!
What’s your favorite type of pretzel? Sweet, savory, or somewhere in between? Let me know!
Print
Twisted Jalapeño Cheddar Pretzels – A Spicy, Cheesy Snack Delight!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (includes rising time)
- Yield: 8 pretzels (normal) 1x
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Savory
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Twisted Jalapeño Cheddar Pretzels are the perfect balance of spicy, cheesy, and savory goodness! Soft, warm pretzels are infused with zesty jalapeños and gooey cheddar cheese, then twisted into a perfect shape for dipping and snacking. Whether you’re serving them as an appetizer or enjoying them as a snack, they’ll be a hit with anyone who loves a bit of heat with their cheese!
Ingredients
For the Pretzel Dough:
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1–2 jalapeños, diced (seeds removed for less heat)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
For Boiling:
- 10 cups water
- 1/2 cup baking soda
For Topping:
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Additional chopped jalapeños (for garnish)
- Coarse sea salt (to taste)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a small bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a dough begins to form.
- Knead the dough for about 5–7 minutes on a lightly floured surface, until smooth and elastic.
- Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese and diced jalapeños. Continue kneading for another 1–2 minutes to evenly distribute the cheese and jalapeños.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Step 2: Shape the Pretzels
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope (about 18 inches long).
- Twist each rope into a pretzel shape.
Step 3: Boil the Pretzels
- In a large pot, bring the 10 cups of water and baking soda to a boil.
- Carefully drop each twisted pretzel into the boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake the Pretzels
- Brush each pretzel with the beaten egg to give it a golden color.
- Bake the pretzels for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
- Once baked, remove the pretzels from the oven and immediately brush them with melted butter.
- Sprinkle with coarse sea salt, garlic powder, and extra chopped jalapeños for added flavor and heat.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces, like cheese sauce or spicy ranch.
Notes
- Adjust the heat: If you like more heat, leave some of the jalapeño seeds in the dough or add crushed red pepper flakes to the topping.
- Cheese variations: Feel free to mix in other types of cheese, such as monterey jack or pepper jack, for extra flavor.
- Freezing: You can freeze the pretzels before baking. To bake from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 35mg