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: 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.

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

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pretzel cheese dip

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 139

Author: Jamielyn Nye

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! 

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Ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup  whole milk , more as needed
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese , only use freshly grated
• 2-3 teaspoons hot sauce (I prefer Frank's) , more 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 flour over the butter, stirring constantly and cook for 1 minute (it should be a thick paste). Turn to medium-low heat.
  
• 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). Will take about 3 to 5 minutes. 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.
  
• Add 2-3 teaspoons hot sauce depending on heat preference. You can also add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper to take up the heat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste (I start with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper). 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. Serve with pretzel or tortilla chips. Store leftovers in an airtight container.
  

Notes

Spices: If you prefer a little spice, add in extra hot sauce and 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. If you'd prefer

Make ahead: You can easily make this cheese dip ahead of time. Simply cover tightly in a covered container and reheat on the stove top or in the microwave before serving. 

Storage: Store in a covered container up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or the stove top. 

Pretzels: These are my favorite homemade pretzels and pretzel bites. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoon | Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 183mg | Potassium: 47mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 352IU | Calcium: 221mg | Iron: 1mg

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