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Game Day Cheesy Pretzel Footballs: Easy Baked Snack Recipe

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These Game-Day Cheesy Pretzel Footballs are a happy accident turned into a reliable touchdown. They are the perfect balance of soft, chewy pretzel bread and molten, stretchy cheese, shaped like little footballs for a fun game-day snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 can (16.3 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough (e.g., Pillsbury Grands!)
  • 4 oz sharp or medium cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 4 cups warm water
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
  • Coarse pretzel salt, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • Optional for dipping: cheese sauce, spicy mustard, or honey mustard

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  2. In a large pot, combine 4 cups of warm water and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Stir until mostly dissolved. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Do not let it boil vigorously.
  3. Open the can of biscuit dough and separate the 8 biscuits. Flatten one biscuit into a rough oval about 3 inches wide. Place one cube of cheddar cheese in the center. Fold the dough over the cheese, pinching the seams tightly to seal. Roll gently between your palms to form a football shape. Repeat with remaining dough and cheese.
  4. Using a slotted spoon, gently lower 2-3 footballs into the simmering baking soda water. Let them sit for 30 seconds, then flip and let sit for another 30 seconds. Remove with the slotted spoon, letting excess water drip off, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Leave space between each.
  5. In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Brush the top of each pretzel football generously with the egg wash. Use a sharp knife to cut a small ‘lacing’ pattern on the top of each football (three small slanted cuts on each side of a center line).
  6. Sprinkle each football generously with coarse pretzel salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until deep golden brown and puffed.
  7. As soon as they come out of the oven, brush the hot pretzels with the melted butter. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Seal the edges tightly to prevent cheese from leaking. Don’t skip the baking soda bath for authentic pretzel flavor and texture. Work in batches and have everything prepped before starting the bath. For variations, try adding jalapeño and cream cheese, pepperoni and mozzarella, or everything bagel seasoning. Can be adapted for air fryer (375°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway). Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: game day snacks, pretzel footballs, cheesy pretzels, easy appetizer, football party food, baked snack

Find it online: https://cookyep.com/game-day-cheesy-pretzel-footballs-easy-baked-snack-recipe/