Easy pretzel cheese dip is made with only 5 simple ingredients. This cheese sauce pairs perfectly with homemade pretzels and more!
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Cheese Sauce for Pretzels
This pretzel cheese dip is so easy and simple to make. It only takes 5 ingredients and comes together in less than 10 minutes! It’s creamy, cheesy and doesn’t clump. Plus is super easy to store and reheat.
There are so many yummy ways to use this cheese sauce. Serve as a snack with soft pretzel bites or bread, on top of a baked potato or even over vegetables. It tastes great on anything!
Ingredient Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Unsalted butter: I prefer unsalted butter but salted butter would work, just skip adding the added salt.
- All-purpose flour: I often use cornstarch or cornflour.
- Whole milk: Any variation of milk will work, although whole milk adds the best creaminess.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: I prefer sharp cheddar cheese, but any other mild cheddar will work. Velveeta can be used if preferred.
- Hot sauce: Adds a small spicy tangy to the cheese sauce.
How to Make Cheese Dip for Pretzels
To make the ‘roux‘, 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.
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.
Pour into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Easy Cheese Sauce Tips and Variations
- 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.
- Richer cheese sauce: Add a Tablespoon of cream cheese when adding the shredded cheese.
- Too thick: Add more milk to the cheese sauce until desired consistency is reached.
- Gourmet: Use a few cheeses for a cheese fondue recipe.
Storing and 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.
Serving Suggestions
We love to use this pretzel cheese dip with about anything on game day! It makes a great cheese sauce for these favorites:
- French bread
- Soft homemade pretzels
- Breadsticks
- Baked potatoes
- Potato wedges
- Tortilla chips
- Steamed vegetables
- Raw vegetables
More dip recipes we love include this cottage queso dip recipe, homemade queso blanco dip and Velveeta queso recipe!
Easy Pretzel Cheese Dip Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ Tablespoon corn starch (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 cup milk , plus more as needed
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese or Velveeta
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1-3 teaspoons hot sauce (I prefer Frank's) , plus more to taste
Optional: Cayenne pepper or chili powder
For serving: Soft pretzels, Tortilla chips, Vegetables
Instructions
- Melt butter. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 Tablespoon butter. Sprinkle 1/2 Tablespoon flour or cornstarch over the butter, stirring constantly, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add milk. Warm 1 cup milk in the microwave 15 to 20 seconds. Slowly pour the milk into the saucepan, while whisking constantly. Continue whisking until thickened (but still pourable). Watch it carefully.
- Stir in cheese. Remove from heat and stir in 8 ounces cheese until smooth. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Stir in salt and pepper. Add amount of hot sauce you prefer. If the sauce gets too thick, whisk in 1 to 2 Tablespoons warmed milk. Add a dash of cayenne pepper or chili powder for a little heat.
- Place in a mini crockpot to keep warm and gooey. If it thickens, reheat in the microwave 15 seconds. Serve with pretzels, tortilla chips, or vegetables.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cheese dip is a melted cheese sauce which is usually served as an appetizer alongside pretzels, tortilla chips, bread or vegetables.
It consists of butter, cheese, milk, cornstarch and seasonings. The milk helps keep the cheese sauce in a smooth consistency.
The best thing to dip pretzels is in this cheese dip, honey mustard sauce, marinara, classic Knorr spinach dip or spinach artichoke dip.
No I do not recommend freezing leftover cheese dip. The texture will not be as smooth and creamy.
Steve DeWitt
I made this and it’s like pure liquid; I had to double the cheese and it was still super watery and thin.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Sorry to hear about the trouble with the cheese sauce, did you add the cornstarch?
Laurie Healy
Would skim milk work in place of whole milk?
I Heart Naptime Community
Hi Laurie! I haven’t tested this recipe using skim milk, the consistency might come out a little differently. If you try it, let me know how it goes!