Description
Cheeseburger Pretzel Bombs are a delicious game day appetizer or party food. These stuffed pretzel bites combine ground beef, cheddar cheese, and a soft pretzel dough for a savory snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or 8 small cubes cheddar)
- 1 tbsp chopped green onions (optional)
- 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade), brought to room temp
- All-purpose flour (for rolling)
- 8 cups water
- 1/3 cup baking soda
- 1 egg, beaten (egg wash)
- 1–2 tbsp coarse pretzel salt (or flaky salt)
- 2 tbsp melted butter (optional, for brushing after baking)
Instructions
- Cook the filling: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with onion until cooked through. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Drain excess grease. Stir in salt, pepper, Worcestershire, ketchup, mustard, and paprika. Let cool 10 minutes, then stir in green onions if using.
- Portion the dough: Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Lightly flour a surface and divide pizza dough into 8 equal pieces.
- Fill and shape: Flatten each piece into a 4–5 inch round. Add about 2 tbsp beef plus a pinch of shredded cheddar (or 1 cheese cube) in the center. Pinch tightly to seal and roll into a smooth ball, seam-side down.
- Pretzel bath: Bring water to a gentle boil, then reduce to simmer. Carefully add baking soda (it will foam). Working in batches, dip each dough ball for 20–30 seconds, flipping once. Remove with a slotted spoon and place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake 12–15 minutes until deeply golden brown.
- Finish: Brush with melted butter if desired. Cool 5 minutes, then serve warm with ketchup, mustard, or burger sauce.
Notes
- Let the filling cool before assembling to prevent the dough from becoming too sticky.
- Use room-temperature pizza dough for easier handling.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of garlic powder or onion powder to the filling.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel bomb
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 60mg