Vegan Pretzel Bites With Cheese Dip
Soft, chewy, and perfectly golden, vegan pretzel bites are a fun and delicious snack! They have that classic pretzel flavor with a slight crunch on the outside and a soft, fluffy center. Whether you dip them in tangy mustard, vegan cheese sauce, or enjoy them plain, they’re always a crowd-pleaser. Making these bite-sized treats at home is easier than you might think.
With simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you can whip up a fresh batch in no time. We’ll walk you through everything, from mixing the dough to achieving that signature pretzel texture. They’re also are perfect for a vegan Super Bowl party appetizer, party snack, or added to a hearty hummus board—yum!
Get ready to enjoy warm, homemade pretzel bites that are perfect for snacking and sharing!
Why These Vegan Pretzel Bites are So Awesome
Vegan soft pretzel bites are the perfect mix of soft, chewy, and salty goodness. They’re fun to make, easy to dip, and great for snacking anytime. Whether fresh from the oven or reheated later, they’re always a delicious treat!
- Soft, Chewy, and Perfectly Golden. These pretzel bites have the perfect texture—crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. That classic chewiness makes every bite satisfying, especially when dipped in warm, melty dairy-free cheese!
- Easy to Make at Home. You don’t need to be a pro baker to make these! The dough comes together with simple ingredients, and the step-by-step process is easy to follow. Plus, baking them at home means you get to enjoy fresh, warm pretzels straight from the oven.
- That Irresistible Pretzel Flavor. A quick baking soda bath gives these bites their signature pretzel taste. It creates that deep, golden color and slightly crisp texture while adding just the right amount of saltiness. Paired with the cheese dip, it’s a flavor match made in snack heaven!
- Perfect for Snacking and Sharing. These bite-sized treats are great for any occasion! Serve them as a party appetizer, movie night snack, or game-day favorite. They’re easy to grab and dip, making them a hit with family and friends.
- Customizable and Fun to Experiment With. You can easily switch up the flavors to make them your own! Try adding garlic, everything bagel seasoning, or cinnamon sugar for a sweet twist. You can also mix different dairy-free dips like spicy vegan buffalo chicken dip or zesty maple mustard for extra variety!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
You don’t need much to make these tasty vegan pretzels! For exact measurements and details on the optional vegan cheese dip, scroll to the recipe card below. Here are the star ingredients and substitutions for the pretzels themselves:
- All-Purpose Flour – Helps create a soft, fluffy inside while keeping the outside slightly crisp and the inside chewy. You can use bread flour for a slightly chewier texture. If you need a gluten-free option, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, but the texture may be slightly different.
- Instant Yeast – Makes the dough rise and gives the pretzel bites their light, airy texture. It also adds a slight depth of flavor, making them taste more like classic soft pretzels. If using active dry yeast instead of instant yeast, dissolve it in warm water first and let it sit for 5 minutes before adding it to the flour. Be sure your yeast is fresh, or the dough won’t rise properly!
- Olive Oil – Keeps the dough soft and adds a light richness. It also helps with kneading, making the dough easier to handle. You can swap olive oil for melted vegan butter for a slightly richer taste. Neutral oils like avocado or sunflower oil work too, but they won’t add as much flavor.
- Baking Soda – Boiling the pretzel bites in a baking soda bath gives them their signature deep golden color and slightly chewy crust. It also helps create that traditional pretzel flavor. For extra flavor, add a bit of brown sugar to the baking soda bath. If you’re out of baking soda, a light dip in boiling water alone will help, but the texture won’t be quite the same.
- Coarse Salt – Enhances the pretzel flavor and adds a satisfying crunch. It balances the slight sweetness of the dough and makes each bite extra tasty. Pretzel salt works best, but coarse sea salt or flaky salt can also be used. If you want a sweet version, skip the salt and sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top instead!
How To Make Pretzel Bites
Your house will smell like a buttery and salty dough heaven while baking these beauties! Soft vegan pretzel bites would be perfect for making before a get-together with friends or to take on a picnic day out. Keep in mind, they probably won’t last an hour—they’re truly irresistible!
Step 1: Make the Dough – Mix flour, instant yeast, and salt in a bowl. Add olive oil and 1/3 cup water, then knead by hand or use a kitchen machine until a soft dough forms (about 4–5 minutes). Adjust with more flour if too sticky or more water if too dry. Coat the dough with olive oil, cover, and let it rest in a warm spot for 2–3 hours until it doubles in size.
Step 2: Shape and Boil the Pretzel Bites – Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Divide the dough into four pieces, roll them into ropes, and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil, stir in baking soda, and boil the pretzel bites in batches for 1 minute. Transfer them to a parchment-lined baking tray and sprinkle with pretzel salt.
Then, Step 3: Bake Until Golden – Bake the pretzel bites for 15–20 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool slightly before serving.
Finally, Step 4: Make the Dairy-Free Cheese – Dip Melt coconut oil or vegan butter in a small pot over low heat. Stir in salt, turmeric, curry powder, and flour, then whisk in nutritional yeast. Slowly add cider and maple syrup, whisking until smooth and creamy. If too thick, add more cider or water. Serve warm with the pretzel bites and enjoy!
Serving Tips and Suggestions
These soft pretzels are amazing with the cider cheese dip but, truly, they are amazing on their own! Skipping this dip makes the recipe simpler, and you’ll need a lot fewer ingredients. So enjoy the bites alone (or with some mustard) if you prefer:
- Serve Them Fresh and Warm – Soft pretzel bites taste best straight out of the oven! The warm, fluffy center and crispy golden crust make every bite irresistible. Pair them with your dairy-free cheese sauce while they’re still toasty for the ultimate snack experience.
- Try Different Dips – Dairy-free cheese sauce is amazing, but why stop there? Try dipping your pretzel bites in hot mustard, creamy oil-free hummus, or even a sweet maple Dijon sauce. A variety of dips makes them even more fun to eat!
- Turn Them into Pretzel Sliders – Slice the pretzel bites in half and use them as mini buns! Fill them with avocado, roasted veggies, or plant-based sausage for a delicious party snack. It’s a creative way to turn these bites into a fun, handheld sandwich.
- Make Them Sweet Instead – Skip the salt and toss your warm pretzel bites in cinnamon sugar! Serve them with a dairy-free buttercream frosting or melted vegan chocolate for dipping. It’s a simple way to transform them into a sweet and satisfying treat.
- Load Them Up Nacho-Style – Spread the pretzel bites on a plate and drizzle them with warm dairy-free cheese sauce. Add toppings like sliced jalapeños, chopped tomatoes, vegan sour cream, and fresh herbs for a fun, pretzel-inspired twist on nachos. Perfect for sharing!
FAQs
Store pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to two months. To reheat, warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes or microwave for about 15 seconds. The oven gives the best texture, but the microwave works in a pinch!
The basic ingredients for traditional pretzels include flour, water, yeast, sugar, and salt. However, soft pretzels are more likely to contain butter or dairy than hard pretzels. This is because some recipes use milk instead of water. Always check the ingredient list, as variations exist between brands and types of pretzels.
Most traditional pretzel snacks are vegan such as Rold Gold and Snyder, as long as you get one without dairy and honey. Stick to plain to keep it safe as the honey or cheddar varieties most likely contain animal products. For soft pretzel options, try the Pretzel Baron Pretzel Bites from Kroger, SuperPretzel found in the frozen section of most large chain supermarkets, and Hanover Bake Soft Pretzels.
The pretzels themselves at Auntie Anne’s are vegan, however, they’re often coated in a spray of butter. When they are preparing your pretzel, ask them to use vegetable spray instead of butter to make it vegan.
More Vegan Appetizer Recipes to Try
Print me! Did you know you can easily print our recipes? Just tap the “Print Recipe” button in the recipe card. You can keep a stack of new recipes to try in your kitchen—or better yet—create a recipe binder where you keep all your favorites!
Vegan Pretzel Bites with Cheese Dip
Ingredients
Pretzel Bites:
- 1¼ cups all-purpose flour, and a bit more for dusting
- ½ teaspoon instant yeast
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon olive oil , and a bit more to coat the dough
- ⅓ cup water + 3 cups divided
- 1½ tablespoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons coarse salt
Cheese Dip:
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil melted, or vegan butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt, to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ⅛ teaspoon curry powder
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- ¼ cup cider, if you don’t have any, mix apple juice and sparkling water
- ½ teaspoon maple syrup
Instructions
For soft pretzels
- Combine the flour, instant yeast, and salt in a mixing bowl. Add olive oil and 1⁄3 cup water. Mix and knead by hand until a soft dough forms or put all the ingredients in a kitchen machine and let the machine knead the dough for you. This will take 4 to 5 minutes. Fine-tune the mixture: If it’s too sticky, add more flour. If it’s too crumbly, add more water.
- Coat the ball of dough with a drizzle of olive oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rest in a warm spot for 2 to 3 hours (depending on room temperature) until it doubles in size.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C.
- Divide the dough into 4 equal parts, roll them into ropes, and cut them into bite-sized pieces.
- In a medium-sized pot, bring the remaining 3 cups water to a boil. Add in the baking soda and stir to combine.
- Work in batches to cook all the pretzel bites in the baking soda bath for 1 minute. Then, transfer them to a baking tray lined with parchment paper and sprinkle them with pretzel salt.
- Bake them in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes until golden and serve with a side of cider cheese dip. You’ve waited long enough. Dig in!
For cheese dip
- Heat the coconut oil or butter in a small pot over low heat. Add the salt, turmeric powder, and curry powder. Add in the flour and whisk. Add nutritional yeast and whisk again until clumpy.
- Add in the cider and maple syrup and whisk on low heat for a few minutes until creamy. If it gets too thick, add more water or cider and whisk again to make it smooth and creamy. Set aside until pretzel bites are ready to serve.
Notes
- Storing Tips: Store pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to two months. To reheat, warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–7 minutes or microwave for about 15 seconds. The oven gives the best texture, but the microwave works in a pinch!
- Serving Suggestions: Serve right out of the oven for best taste and texture. Offer a dairy-free cheese, hummus, or a spicy mustard on the side for a savory snack. For a sweet twist, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or dip in melted chocolate or warm vegan frosting.
Nutrition
We want to thank our amazing recipe testers, J.J Steele, Taylor Gillespie, and Anne Sparks.
Vegan pretzel bites with dairy-free cheese dip recipe was inspired by Cravings Made Vegan: 50 Plant-Based Recipes for Your Comfort Food Favorites by Bianca Haun and Sascha Naderer with permission from Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. Photos by Bianca Haun and Sascha Naderer.
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Leave a Comment
I used to be addicted to the Auntie Ann’s pretzel chain in our local mall. Just walking by would be torture after going vegan. I’m so excited that I can finally make my own! The house smells amazing while they’re cooking and the texture is perfection. Everyone loved the sauce, too. Divine!!
My husband LOVES vegan soft pretzels, so these are a win in our house!
These are so much fun to serve and everyone enjoys dipping them in the creamy cheese sauce.
These pretzels are chewy and have a great texture.
I never thought I would even consider making pretzels at home but these soft mini pretzels changed my mind! They are so good! I need to make more!