DeliciousParmesan Pretzel Bitesmade with a simple bread dough, a bit of Italian seasoning and served with a Parmesan cheese dipping sauce make them the perfect snack or appetizer.

Baked parmesan pretzel bites on a bamboo cutting board in the shape of the state of Indiana with a bowl of the parmesan dipping sauce sitting on a dark blue countertop.

These Parmesan Pretzel Bites are a little different than atraditional soft pretzelthanks to the addition of Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese to the dough. After they are boiled and baked, they turn into savory, soft, and chewy pretzel perfection.

They make wonderful snacks on their own or are a great addition to aFamily Friendly Cheese Boardor aFall Harvest Apple and Cheese board. Bonus points for serving them on a state-shaped bamboo cutting board (getyour state’s cutting boardhere).

A close-up of the baked parmesan pretzel bites on a bamboo cutting board with a bowl of the parmesan dipping sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Homemade soft pretzels are ahuge crowd pleaser.
It’s agreat projectto work on with kids.
The parmesandipping sauce is amazingand can be used to dip other things in.

Recipe Ingredients

Warm water
Sugar
Salt
Active dry yeast
All-purpose flour
Unsalted butter
Italian seasoning:a classic mix of dried herbs that includes basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme
Parmesan cheese:freshly grated and shredded cheese is needed
Baking soda
Egg
Pretzel salt: this is coarser than regular salt
Milk
Salt and pepper

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

How to Make Parmesan Pretzel Bites

Step #1.In a large bowl, combine warm water, sugar, salt, and yeast. Let sit for five minutes until yeast is bubbly.
Step #2.Add half of the flour, melted butter, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese to the bowl. Stir to combine. Gradually add more flour, stirring after each addition, until a soft dough forms.
Step #3.Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-8 minutes until soft but not sticky. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 45 minutes.
Step #4.Divide dough into 10 parts, roll into a 10-inch rope, cut into 1-inch pieces, and boil each piece for 30 seconds in baking soda water a few at a time.
Step #5.Beat the egg yolk and water in a small bowl. Brush the egg yolk mixture over the boiled balls of dough and sprinkle pretzel salt on them.
Step #6.Bake at 450 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes until the pretzels are deep golden brown.

How to Make Parmesan Dipping Sauce

Step #1.Put the butter in a medium saucepan and melt it over medium heat.
Step #2.Once the butter is melted, sprinkle the flour over the butter and whisk. Once combined, whisk constantly for one minute.
Step #3.Slowly, add the milk while whisking. Bring the mixture to a slow simmer and simmer for 1 minute, until it’s thickened.
Step #4.Add the Parmesan cheese and whisk until fully incorporated. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe FAQs

What is pretzel salt?

Pretzel salt is an ultra coarse salt that adheres well to the bread dough so the salt doesn’t fall off. If you cannot find it at your local grocery store, it’s available on Amazon.

Why do I need to boil the pretzel dough in soda water?

These are made in a traditional pretzel fashion by boiling the dough in soda water before baking. Don’t skip this step, it’s what gives the pretzels their signature chewy texture.

How do pretzels get deep brown in color?

To get the deep brown pretzel color, brush the boiled dough with an egg yolk and water mixture before baking.

How do I store the Pretzel Bites?

Store pretzel bites at room temperature for a couple days or in the refrigerator for a week. You can reheat them in the oven or an air fryer to freshen them up.

Expert Tips

Don’t skip the boiling step.Boiling the pretzels in water and baking soda before baking helps develop that distinctive pretzel crust and flavor.
Experiment with toppings. While classic salted pretzels are delicious, don’t be afraid to try other toppings like sesame seeds, garlic, or a little cheese.
Soft pretzels arebest enjoyed right after baking, while they’re still warm and crisp on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside.
You canstore these pretzels in an airtight container, but they are best enjoyed the same day.