Soft Pretzel Bites with Vegan Cheese Sauce are little pockets of warm, salty, and chewy goodness paired with a smooth and creamy plant-based cheese dip. These bite-sized treats are perfect for snacking, sharing, or just satisfying that craving for something fun and comforting. The pretzels have that classic golden-brown crust and a soft inside, while the vegan cheese sauce adds a tasty, melty kick without using any dairy.
I love making these pretzel bites because they’re fun to eat and come together nicely when I’m hanging out with friends or family. It’s a hands-on recipe that feels rewarding—you get to shape the dough and then dunk every bite into that cheesy sauce. The vegan cheese is super nice because it’s flavorful and creamy, making these bites just as satisfying as the traditional version, even if you don’t eat dairy. Plus, they’re great for folks with different diets!
My favorite way to enjoy them is straight from the oven while the pretzels are warm and the cheese sauce is perfectly gooey. They make an awesome party snack or a cozy treat on a movie night. I also like how easy it is to double the batch to have extras ready for whenever cravings hit. Honestly, these pretzel bites always bring a smile to the table and make everyone want another round.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Yeast: Active dry yeast gives the pretzels their perfect rise and chewiness. If you don’t have this, instant yeast is a good substitute with similar results.
Vegan Butter: Used in the dough and for brushing to add richness and flavor. If you prefer, olive oil or coconut oil can work, but the taste will vary slightly.
Baking Soda: This is key for the classic pretzel crust—it raises the pH and helps get the deep brown color and slight tang. Don’t skip or replace it!
Raw Cashews: They create the creamy base of the vegan cheese sauce. If you’re nut-free, try soaked sunflower seeds instead—they’ll still blend up creamy.
Nutritional Yeast: This adds cheesy, umami flavor to the sauce. It’s a vegan staple for creating that “cheese” taste without dairy.
How Do You Get Soft, Chewy Pretzels with a Golden Brown Crust?
The magic is in the baking soda bath before baking. This step instantly sets the outside of each bite and creates that signature pretzel texture and flavor.
- Boil water with baking soda—don’t skip this! It acts like a quick soak to develop the crust.
- Drop dough pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding—they should float when ready.
- Remove quickly and place on the baking sheet, then brush with vegan butter for shine and extra flavor.
- Lightly scoring the tops helps achieve that classic pretzel look and vents steam.
- Bake until deep golden brown for a chewy inside and crisp outside.
Taking your time kneading the dough until smooth also helps build good gluten structure for chewiness. And don’t forget to let it rise well—the dough doubles in size to get fluffier bites.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl – I use it to blend and knead the dough easily and comfortably.
- Stand mixer with dough hook (optional) – makes kneading quicker and less messy if you prefer.
- Smaller bowl – for activating the yeast so it can foam up and do its magic.
- Measuring cups and spoons – for accurate ingredient amounts.
- Baking sheets lined with parchment paper – keeps the pretzels from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
- Large pot – essential for the baking soda bath, which gives the pretzels their crust.
- Slotted spoon or skimmer – helps move the pretzel bites in and out of the boiling water smoothly.
- Basting brush – for brushing melted vegan butter on the pretzels before baking.
- High-speed blender – needed to make the creamy vegan cheese sauce easily and smoothly.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Cheese-stuffed pretzels – Add small cubes of vegan cheese inside each piece before boiling for extra gooeyness.
- Herb and garlic – Mix chopped fresh herbs or garlic powder into the dough for added flavor.
- Spicy kick – Sprinkle red pepper flakes or cayenne on top before baking, perfect for those who like it hot.
- Everything Bagel – Coat with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and dried garlic or onion before baking for extra crunch and flavor.
Soft Pretzel Bites With Vegan Cheese Sauce
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Soft Pretzel Bites:
- 1 ½ cups warm water (around 110°F / 43°C)
- 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp vegan butter, melted (plus extra for brushing)
- 10 cups water
- 2/3 cup baking soda
- Coarse sea salt for sprinkling
For the Vegan Cheese Sauce:
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight, then drained
- ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk (or any other plant milk)
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp vegan butter or olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare the dough and mix ingredients, plus 1 hour for the dough to rise. Boiling, baking, and making the cheese sauce will take an additional 30-35 minutes. Altogether, you’ll need about 1 hour and 50 minutes to 2 hours from start to finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Pretzel Dough:
In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and melted vegan butter. Stir until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 7-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
2. Let the Dough Rise:
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover it with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let it rise for 1 hour until it doubles in size.
3. Prep and Shape the Pretzel Bites:
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal parts. Roll each piece into a 12-14 inch rope, then cut into 1 to 1.5 inch pieces to form pretzel bites.
4. Make the Baking Soda Bath:
In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water and baking soda to a boil. Working in batches, drop pretzel bites into the boiling water for 20-30 seconds. When the bites float to the surface, scoop them out with a slotted spoon and arrange on the baking sheets.
5. Final Touches Before Baking:
Use a knife to lightly score the top of each pretzel bite for that classic look. Brush them with melted vegan butter and sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt.
6. Bake Pretzel Bites:
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they turn a deep golden brown.
7. Prepare the Vegan Cheese Sauce:
While the pretzels bake, blend soaked cashews, almond milk, nutritional yeast, vegan butter or olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika (if using), dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
8. Warm the Sauce (Optional):
If you prefer a warm and thicker sauce, gently warm it on low heat in a saucepan, stirring constantly. Avoid boiling.
9. Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the warm pretzel bites immediately with the vegan cheese sauce for dipping. Enjoy the cozy, chewy bites with their delicious, creamy vegan cheese!
Can I Use Frozen Pretzel Bites?
Yes! You can freeze the pretzel bites before baking. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, bake straight from frozen—just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
What Can I Substitute for Cashews in the Vegan Cheese Sauce?
If you’re nut-free, soaked sunflower seeds or cooked white beans make a great creamy base for the sauce. Keep in mind the flavor will be slightly different but still tasty!
How Do I Store Leftover Pretzel Bites and Sauce?
Store pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate the vegan cheese sauce in a sealed jar for up to 4 days. Reheat pretzels in the oven to keep them crisp, and warm the sauce gently on the stove or microwave.
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as is. To make gluten-free pretzel bites, try using a gluten-free baking blend designed for yeast breads and adjust liquid as needed. Note that texture may vary.