Description
Soft Baked Cheesy Pretzel Dogs are a delightful fusion of flavors and textures, featuring a warm, chewy pretzel exterior that gives way to a juicy, savory hot dog and a gooey, melted cheese center. Each bite offers a satisfying crunch followed by a rich, cheesy explosion that will leave your taste buds dancing.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Pretzel Dough:
- 2 cups warm water (110°F)
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- For the Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cheddar cheese, cut into sticks
- For the Baking Soda Bath:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 10 cups water
- For Topping:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
- Add flour, salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth. Let it rise in a greased bowl, covered, for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large pot, bring 10 cups of water and baking soda to a boil.
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Flatten each piece, place a cheese stick and a hot dog in the center, and wrap the dough around them, sealing the edges.
- Carefully drop each wrapped pretzel dog into the boiling baking soda bath for 30 seconds, then remove and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush each pretzel dog with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the dough a day in advance and refrigerate it overnight. Allow it to come to room temperature before shaping.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.
- Substitutions: Use turkey or veggie hot dogs for a lighter option. Swap cheddar for mozzarella for a different cheese experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: appetizers
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel dog
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 grams
- Sodium: 800 milligrams
- Fat: 15 grams
- Saturated Fat: 7 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 35 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 12 grams
- Cholesterol: 30 milligrams
Keywords: Soft Baked Cheesy Pretzel Dogs, pretzel dogs, cheesy hot dogs, homemade pretzels, snack recipes, party food, easy appetizers, comfort food, American cuisine, baking recipes, kid-friendly meals, game day snacks, street food