Description
These Cheesy Jalapeño Pretzel Bites are a perfect snack combining spicy jalapeños with creamy cheese, stuffed inside soft pretzel bites and baked to melty perfection. Easy to prepare and ideal for parties, game days, or anytime you crave a flavorful, cheesy treat with a kick.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Jalapeño Mixture
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 3 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
For the Pretzel Bites
- 2 (4-ounce) packages pretzel bites (about 24 total; we used Pretzilla)
For the Cheese Filling
- 4 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- Dash hot sauce
- 1 oz. extra-sharp orange Cheddar, coarsely grated (about 1/3 cup), plus more for sprinkling
- 1 scallion, finely chopped, plus more for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the stuffed pretzel bites.
- Cook Jalapeños: Heat a medium skillet on medium heat. Add olive oil, the finely chopped jalapeños, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 2 minutes until the jalapeños are just tender. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Prepare Pretzel Bites: Using a paring knife, carefully cut off the top of each pretzel bite at an angle to create approximately a 1-inch opening. Use your thumb to press down inside the pretzel to widen the opening enough for stuffing.
- Make Filling: In a bowl, mix together the room temperature cream cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, and a dash of hot sauce. Fold in the cooked jalapeños, coarsely grated cheddar cheese, and finely chopped scallion until well combined.
- Stuff Pretzels: Transfer the cheese mixture into a resealable plastic bag, snip off a small corner, and pipe the filling into each pretzel bite opening, filling them generously.
- Bake: Arrange the stuffed pretzels on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle additional cheddar cheese over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the cheese filling is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle with extra chopped scallions if desired, and serve warm for a delicious cheesy and slightly spicy snack.
Notes
- Seed the jalapeños carefully to reduce heat if you prefer milder bites.
- Let the cream cheese come to room temperature before mixing to ensure a smooth filling.
- If you don’t have pretzel bites, small soft pretzel rolls can be used as a substitute.
- Baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven; watch for melted and bubbly cheese as a sign of readiness.
- For an extra spicy version, leave some of the jalapeño seeds in the mixture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cheesy pretzel bites, jalapeño snacks, stuffed pretzels, party appetizers, spicy cheese bites, easy snack recipe
