Make your own creamy and mouth-watering cheese dip for pretzels with only 4 simple ingredients. Once you try it, you’ll want to dip everything in it!
Pre-made cheese dips can have an ingredient list a mile long, but there’s nothing better to dip soft pretzels in than a warm creamy cheesy sauce.
Luckily, I have a homemade cheese dip for pretzels that you can easily make with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. With only four ingredients, you will have a creamy dip in under 15 minutes.
While it’s the perfect pretzel dipping sauce, I love the versatility of this cheese dip. Add it to your Game Day Charcuterie Board or serve alongside fresh vegetables and crackers.
Plus, if you want to switch it up, I have three other flavor variations to put a creative spin on this dip that will keep everyone happy.
So grab a saucepan and whip up this ooey, gooey, creamy, cheesy dip that will knock everyone’s socks off and have you licking the bowl clean.
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Ingredients needed
- Whole Milk – I like to use whole milk since it makes the sauce creamier and richer. You can substitute 2% milk for a lighter version or half and half for an extra creamy cheese dip.
- Unsalted Butter – You can also use salted butter but make sure to add less salt to avoid the cheese being too salty.
- Flour – This acts as a thickening agent for the sauce. Use all-purpose flour or substitute with a 1:1 all-purpose gluten-free flour for gluten-free cheese dip!
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese – For classic cheese dip, stick with sharp cheddar. To switch up the flavor try substituting some with monetery jack, pepper jack cheese, or mozzarella cheese.
- Salt & Pepper
How to make cheese dip for pretzels
In a small saucepan, warm milk over medium heat until small bubbles begin to appear.
While the milk is warming, melt the butter in another pan over medium heat. Add flour to the butter while continuously whisking until the mixture is lightly browned. This should take around 2 to 3 minutes.
Slowly pour the warmed milk into the butter-flour mixture. Make sure to constantly whisk while adding the milk. Cook the mixture until it thickens, then add the cheese and stir until the dip becomes smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste (and other ingredients if making one of the variations below).
Variations
To change up the flavor, try these three other variations for new fun pretzel cheese sauce flavors! Just add the ingredients after you’ve added the cheese in the last step of the recipe, stir, and serve!
Nacho cheese dip
Add a little spice by making this nacho cheese dip by adding:
- 1 seeded and diced jalapeno pepper
- 2 tablespoons of hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
Mustard cheese dip
For a little extra tang, add:
- 1 tablespoon of yellow mustard
Horseradish cheese dip
Add some zing to this pretzel dip with:
- 1 tablespoon of horseradish
Other ways to serve pretzel cheese dip
You can eat this cheese dip with almost anything, not just soft pretzels. If we’re talking parties, you could even use it as a cheese fondue! To keep it warm for a party, just serve it in a slow cooker on the “keep warm” setting, frequently stirring to avoid burning.
While just about anything tastes amazing slathered in this rich and creamy dip, here are some possibilities:
- French bread
- Breadsticks
- Potato Wedges
- With a Baked Potato bar
- Raw or steamed veggies
- On a cheeseburger
How to make ahead & store
Save time by pre-shredding your cheese and storing it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to make it.
You can make this dip ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
To reheat your cheese dip, place it in a saucepan on a stovetop over low heat, stir the sauce constantly until it warms through and becomes smooth again. You can also reheat it in a microwave, stirring every 20-30 seconds.
FAQs
Aside from this pretzel cheese dip, you can also enjoy soft pretzels with hummus, mustard, or beer cheese dip.
The classic pretzel topping is coarse sea salt, but other delicious toppings include parmesan cheese, a garlic herb mixture, or even cinnamon sugar for a sweet and salty treat.
Add flour to butter that’s been melted over medium heat. Whisk it until the flour is lightly browned, careful not to burn. Slowly pour the warmed milk into the mixture and whisk until the mixture is thickened, then add the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the dip becomes smooth.
More appetizer recipes
If you loved this cheese dip, you’ll love these other delicious appetizer recipes:
Did you try this cheese sauce for pretzels?
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Full Recipe
Easy Pretzel Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese (grated)
- Salt + pepper to taste
Nacho Cheese Dip
Mustard Cheese Dip
- Cheese Dip (recipe above)
- 1 Tablespoon mustard
Horseradish Cheese Dip
- Cheese Dip (recipe above)
- 2 Tablespoons horseradish
Instructions
- Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until small bubbles form on the top.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in another saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes.
- Add the warm milk to the flour butter mixture in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly. Cook until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Add the cheese and stir until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Notes
- You can make this dip ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.
- To Reheat: Place it in a saucepan on a stovetop over low heat, stir the sauce constantly until it warms through and becomes smooth again. You can also reheat it in a microwave, stirring every 20-30 seconds.
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