Creamy pretzel cheese dip that’s made with just 5 simple ingredients in less than 10 minutes. Once you try it, you’ll make this homemade version over store bought every time!
One of my absolute favorite snacks are homemade pretzels with cheese sauce. And instead of buying premade sauce from the store, I recently tried making my own. And boy am I glad I did! It was so easy to whip up and tastes incredible. Creamy, cheesy and smooth!
This cheese dip is so easy and simple to make. It only takes 5 ingredients and comes together in less than 10 minutes! The sauce is so creamy and cheesy. It isn’t too clumpy and has the perfect smooth consistency. It’s also really easy to save and reheat for later.
It tastes so much better than the canned stuff and is better for you, too. There are so many yummy ways to use this delicious dip. Serve it with pretzel bites or bread, on top of a baked potato or even over vegetables. It tastes great on pretty much anything!
5 simple ingredients
- Unsalted butter
- All-purpose flour
- Whole milk
- Cheddar cheese
- Hot sauce
How to make cheese sauce for pretzels
MELT. Add butter to skillet and melt over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour on top of the butter and cook for 1 minute, constantly stirring. It should form a thick paste. Then whisk in the milk until slightly thickened.
STIR. Remove from heat and slowly begin to mix in the shredded cheese until smooth. Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of hot sauce and salt and pepper to taste. If you need to thicken it down a bit, add a few Tablespoons of warm milk.
STORE. Pour into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Variations
- Spicy nacho cheese dip: Add an extra Tablespoon of hot sauce and dash of cayenne pepper. You can add jalapeno as well.
- Mustard cheese dip: Add a Tablespoon or two of mustard.
Make ahead + keep warm
Make ahead: Prepare as directed, then store in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to enjoy, simply heat back up on the stove or in the microwave.
Keep warm: This cheese sauce is great served right from the stove, but if it’s going to be more than 10 minutes before I serve it, I like to transfer to a mini crockpot to keep warm.
5 star review
“I cannot believe how easy this was to whip up! Literally like ten minutes!!! It is so delicious and you can customize it to how you like it!”
-Lissete
What else to serve with this cheddar cheese sauce?
We love to use this cheese sauce for pretty much anything. It makes a great cheese fondue as well.
- Pretzel bites
- French bread
- Breadsticks
- Baked potatoes
- Potato wedges
- Steamed broccoli
- Tortilla chips
- Raw vegetables
Pretzel Cheese Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1/2 Tablespoon corn starch (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 cup milk , more as needed
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese or Velveeta
- 2-3 teaspoons hot sauce (I prefer Frank's) , more to taste
- cayenne pepper or chili powder , to taste
- S&P , to taste
For serving: Soft pretzels, tortilla chips, vegetables
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle the cornstarch or flour over the butter, stirring constantly and cook for 1 minute.
- Warm the milk in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds. Next slowly pour in the milk while whisking it fast. Continue whisking and cooking until it has thickened (but still pourable). Be careful to watch it.
- Remove from heat. Stir in the cheese until and stir until smooth. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste (I start with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper). Add 1 to 3 teaspoons of hot sauce depending on heat preference. You can also add 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to take up the heat. If it's too thick, you can whisk in a Tablespoon or two more of warmed milk.
- Place in a mini crockpot to keep warm and gooey. If it thickens, reheat in the microwave for 15 seconds. Serve with pretzel or tortilla chips. Store leftovers in an airtight container.
Notes
Thank you! Cheese dip was great with the pretzels I made.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Tom!
4.5 stars
Delicious and quick
Easier done with 2 people
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the recipe, Sawyer!
Tastes like Mac-n-cheese.. which throws me for a loop. However a bit of hot sauce does help but still weird. Playing with some Seasonings in it
How much is one serving worth in this recipe?
Hi Alyson, the recipe makes 8 servings and it’s about 2 Tablespoons per serving :)