Easy pretzel cheese dip is made with only 5 simple ingredients. This cheese sauce pairs perfectly with homemade pretzels and more!
Cheese sauce for pretzels is similar to a cheese fondue recipe or nacho cheese dip!
Table of Contents
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
- 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.
- 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.
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!
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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.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
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, spinach dip or spinach artichoke dip.
No I do not recommend freezing leftover cheese dip. The texture will not be as smooth and creamy.
Categorized as: American, Appetizers, Condiments, Dips, Low Carb, Sauces, Super Bowl
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Would it be okay to use Monterey jack cheese
Hi Lisa! It will definitely change the flavor, but that should be fine!
How long can it be stored ?
3 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
I made it with smoked Gouda and bacon cheese instead of cheddar. It turned out really well.
That sounds delicious! Glad you liked it!
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!! I seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic powder and it was a hit!! Will make this my go to cheese sauce for pretzels!
Would it be ok to use sharp cheddar cheese in this recipe?
Definitely!
This was my first time making this recipe – and cheese sauce! The taste of the finished sauce was great, but the look and texture of it was grainy. I used freshly grated medium cheddar cheese, and the appearance of the sauce didn’t look grainy until I mixed the cheese in. I saw that someone else had this same experience in the reviews, but they used pre-grated cheese (which is typically coated in corn starch so it doesn’t stick together), so I am not sure why my sauce with freshly grated cheese was also grainy in appearance/texture. Any ideas/suggestions on how to avoid this grainy texture next time is much appreciated!
Hi! I think this happens when the cheese is overheated. I would recommend melting with less heat or adding the cheese slower.
In response to the person who said the cheese sauce was grainy and didn’t melt smoothly – here’s a trick I learned from making fondue. Sprinkle a scant tablespoon of flour over the grated cheese and stir to lightly coat the cheese.
Good recipe
Can you substitute the butter for cooking oil or leave out the butter entirely?
I haven’t tried, but I think using a cooking oil in it’s place should be fine.
This sauce is amazing! The recipe is spot on and sooooooooo delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!! :)
Loved it loved it loved it. I doubled the recipe and it came out perfect I added a little bit more cheese for taste and also a lot more pepper sauce. Our families West Indian. My daughter has it with her mac & cheese, and I had it with Stacy’s pita chips. Excellent recipe easy to make start and finish 25 minutes max.
I’m so glad to hear you loved it! Thanks for leaving a kind comment and review Karen! :)
This dip turned out a little gritty which was weird. I couldn’t really figure out why. Maybe it was the pre-shredded cheese I used? Either way the taste was delicious!
Hi Erica! That is my guess as well. I try and use block cheese and grate it myself when making cheese dips or fondue for the best texture.
I loved this and it was really easy to make. I needed a little extra flour to make it get to the consistency of paste but the flavor was just what I was looking for for my soft pretzels
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
It is so good! Thank you
Very delicious! I halved the recipe and used smoked cheddar. Great recipe.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
Love this recipe but made a few changes. I only had half & half so used that which made it pretty thick. I added 1/2 jar of salsa and BAM… The best queso ever! Thanks for the base!
Sounds delicious! Thanks for your comment. I’m definitely going to have to give it a try!
Could you halve this recipe?
Yes, of course!!
this is a fabulous recipe we make them often and my sons favorite cheese dip
I love cheese dip and this is so good for our home baking right now. I put it on everything!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :) Cheese dip really is the best!