Fitness / September 15, 2024

Pretzel Cheese Dip

Dip, dip, hooray! Compliment your salty pretzels with this creamy, cheddar-licious cheese dip.

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What is it about salty snacks that’s so darn satisfying? Whether it’s a crisp potato chip or pillowy soft popcorn, salt is in some of the most adored snacking items, and it certainly keeps us coming back for more. But of all the salt-drenched snacks out there, nothing is quite as alluring as a fresh-baked pretzel.

For centuries, the pretzel has been a sacred symbol for many faithful foodies. But even if you’re not all that spiritual, it’s hard not to get emotional when you smell a pretzel from an oven and take that first bite.

While some argue pretzels are perfect on their own, there’s always room for enhancements (especially if they’re the homemade variety). In this case, we’re talking about pretzel dip — cheddar cheese dip, to be exact.

With its sharp flavor and creamy texture, it’s like cheddar cheese dip was made to complement all the wonderful notes in a regular pretzel. Anyone who wants to experience the pinnacle of pretzel has to put this DIY dip on their bucket list.

Is Pretzel Cheese Dip Healthy?

Pretzels and cheese dip are a delicious indulgence, not the latest health food fad. The high amounts of saturated fat, calories, and salt in this cheesy sauce aren’t what the doctor ordered if you’re concerned about high blood pressure or cholesterol.

However, there are ways to make this cheese dip “healthy-ish.” For example, you could swap whole-fat milk for skim or a non-dairy alternative like almond milk. Since you’ll get a lot of salt from the pretzel, you could also consider ditching the extra salt in your DIY cheese dip and sprinkling in herbs or spices to give some flavor without extra sodium. If salt is still a concern, look for cheeses that specifically say “low sodium” to further cut down on this recipe’s saltiness.

Why is my pretzel cheese dip lumpy?

When people are ready to dunk their pretzels, they expect the cheese dip to be smooth and creamy. Any trace of unintentional “curds” in this DIY dip simply isn’t going to cut it. Although accidentally making lumpy cheese dip is a common challenge, figuring out your specific issue is often pretty straightforward.

Often, people get lumps in their cheese dip because they get a little lazy with stirring. Be sure to get your good arm ready—or bring a gym buddy to the kitchen—because you must constantly stir to avoid the flour from clumping up in the dip-making process.

Also, you should get all your ingredients at room temperature before mixing your cheese dip. While pulling out the cheese and butter on your terms is way more convenient, waiting until your ingredients are warm helps everything melt more evenly and efficiently.

Lastly, going “low and slow” is the name of the game when making clump-free cheese dip. People who try to rush this gooey journey are more likely to overcook their ingredients, leading to a not-so-impressive final result.

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

INSTRUCTIONS

Melt

Melt butter and whisk in flour.

Mix

Add milk and cook until thickened.

Combine

Stir in cheese, mustard, and salt until smooth.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

Are you planning a pretzel party but don’t have time to make a dip on the same day? No prob! You can easily make your cheese dip ahead of time. Let dip cool and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days. You could even put your cheese dip in the freezer, but this may turn out thicker than you’d like after thawing. Either way, you could use the stovetop or microwave to reheat your make-ahead pretzel cheese dip.

Is there a way to make lactose-free “cheese” dip?

While you can’t use milk or cheese in a dairy-free dip, there are many creative ways to substitute these ingredients and make a rich dip for people who can’t tolerate lactose. For instance, there are plenty of lactose-free and plant-based cheeses nowadays, and you could use a sprinkle of nutritional yeast to give that “cheddar-like” flavor. As for milk, why not use an alternative to dairy, like almond, cashew, or coconut milk, for a similar creaminess without the dairy?

Can you add beer to a pretzel cheese dip?

Pretzels and beer go together, so adding some brew to your cheese dip makes sense, right? Whether you want the deep flavor of a porter or the subtleties of a light pale ale, you can easily reduce a beer on a simmer to concentrate its flavor before combining it with the other ingredients in this cheese dip recipe. Consider pairing this cheese dip with the brew you’re using to compliment your snacking flavors.

Serving Suggestions

With a recipe like “pretzel cheese dip,” the pairing is in the name. However, if you want to break with tradition, plenty of other snacks go great with this cheddar cheese dip. For instance, if it’s taco night, you might want to make some homemade tortilla chips to serve alongside your cheese dip. You could even do as the Swiss do and break out some bread for a fondue.

While all these suggestions are oh-so-tasty, we know they aren’t the most fantastic options from a health perspective. But here’s good news for health fans: This cheese dip pairs beautifully with raw or cooked broccoli. So, if you’re feeling guilty about indulging in this cheese dip, you can make yourself feel better by serving this undeniably healthy veggie.

Pretzel Cheese Dip

Dip, dip, hooray! Compliment your salty pretzels with this creamy, cheddar-licious cheese dip.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings cup

Calories 738kcal

Author Eric Esposito

Ingredients

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Instructions

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Whisk in the flour until smooth and cook for 1-2 minutes until it turns slightly golden.
Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps, and cook until the mixture thickens.
Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and Dijon mustard until the cheese is completely melted and the dip is smooth.