Description

Mozzarella-Stuffed Pretzel Bites are deliciously soft pretzel dough pockets filled with gooey mozzarella cheese. These bite-sized snacks are boiled briefly in a baking soda solution for that classic pretzel texture, then baked to golden perfection. Served with marinara sauce for dipping, they make a perfect appetizer or party treat.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough and Boiling:

1/4 cup baking soda
All-purpose flour, for dusting
1 lb. store-bought or homemade pizza dough, room temperature

For the Filling and Topping:

8 mozzarella cheese sticks, frozen, halved crosswise
1 large egg, beaten to blend
Pretzel or flaky sea salt

For Serving:

Marinara, for serving

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Boiling Water: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Fill a large pot with 10 cups of water and stir in the baking soda. Bring this solution to a rolling boil over high heat, which will give the pretzels their distinctive crust.
Shape the Dough and Insert Cheese: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a 15-inch by 12-inch rectangle. Using a pizza cutter, slice the dough into 12 equal rectangles. Place one frozen half of a mozzarella stick in the center of each rectangle. Wrap the dough around the cheese, crimping and pressing down firmly to seal the edges well, to prevent the cheese from leaking out during cooking.
Boil the Pretzel Bites: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, gently drop the stuffed dough pieces into the boiling baking soda water. Cook them until they float to the surface and start to puff slightly, about 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and transfer them carefully to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Egg Wash and Salt: Brush the boiled pretzel bites with the beaten egg wash to promote a shiny, golden crust during baking. Sprinkle pretzel or flaky sea salt generously over the top for flavor.
Bake to Golden Brown: Bake the pretzel bites in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they turn a golden brown color. Once done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly on the baking sheet.
Serve: Transfer the pretzel bites to a serving platter. Serve warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping and enjoying the perfect blend of salty, cheesy goodness.

Notes

Freezing the mozzarella sticks before wrapping helps prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and leaking out.
Ensure the dough is well sealed around the cheese to avoid bursting during boiling and baking.
The baking soda bath is critical for achieving the pretzel’s characteristic chewy crust and deep flavor.
Serve these pretzel bites warm for the best gooey cheese experience.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (1 pretzel bite)
Calories: 150 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 350 mg
Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 19 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 7 g
Cholesterol: 25 mg