Name: Cheese Sauce for Pretzels From Scratch
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 8 min
Ingredients: 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ((shredded at home)); 2/3 cup milk; 1/4 tsp salt; 2 Tbsp salted butter; 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour

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This cheese sauce for pretzels is gooey, creamy, and oh-so rich making it the perfect dipping sauce. You can even use it on nachos or as a queso dip. That’s right you can use this sauce for more than dipping. It’ll elevate any dish you drizzle it on!

Sometimes the perfect snack is made at home with a little love. That’s why we eat homemade pretzels with cheese haha. It’s a classic snack that tastes so good. If you’re having friends or family over, this dip will be perfect to serve alongside chips or soft pretzel bites.

Also if you’re watching the NFL Big Game this cheese sauce is a must on the menu. It can be used in so many ways and everyone no matter their age will enjoy it.

Cheese Sauce for Pretzels Recipe Inspiration

While making my sourdough pretzel bites recipe I just knew I had to whip up a cheese sauce. In the past, I’ve had issues developing a sauce like this. The texture was always off and I never knew why until lately when I used cheese shredded at home. This was the game changer!

With my new strategy, I was able to achieve the perfect flavor and texture for dipping which is what you have here today. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super simple and easy
Wholesome with real ingredients
No fake cheese flavors or powders
Only takes a few minutes to whip up
Lasts for days in the fridge

cheese dip getting poured into cups — Source: Plum Branch Home

Make Ahead Tips

If you’d like to make this recipe ahead follow the instructions and let it cool completely. Once cooled place in an airtight container in the fridge.

Reheating Cheese Sauce

When you’re ready to use it, either reheat it in a saucepan over low heat or place it in a glass jar and warm it in the oven at 350.

Best Cheese for Cheese Sauce

The best cheese for this recipe is a cheddar. You can choose between mild, medium, or sharp. I love using mild cheddar for the perfect flavor.

cheese getting grated into a bowl — Source: Plum Branch Home

Why Shred Your Cheese At Home

Please shred your cheese at home with a grater for this recipe! It creates a smooth creamy texture. When you use store bought shredded cheese it’s coated in additives for anticaking. These additives can create a weird texture.

Ingredients

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (best shredded at home)
2/3 cup milk or cream
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp all-purpose flour

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need (affiliate links)

How to Make Cheese Sauce for Pretzels

Melt butter over medium in a small saucepan.

flour getting poured into a pan full of butter — Source: Plum Branch Home

Turn the heat down to low and add flour whisking for 1 minute.

milk getting poured into pan with a butter slurry — Source: Plum Branch Home

Add milk and whisk until combined.

grated cheese being added into milk mixture in a pan — Source: Plum Branch Home

Turn up heat to medium and add in shredded cheese and salt.

Whisk to combine until melted about 2-3 mins over medium.

smooth cheese sauce in a pan with a whisk — Source: Plum Branch Home

Once combined and smooth remove from heat and serve!

Storing Cheese Sauce

Store cheese sauce in an air-tight container in the fridge for 2-5 days.

Freezing Cheese Sauce

You can freeze cheese sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months for the best flavor and texture.

2 cups of cheese sauce on a cork piece — Source: Plum Branch Home

Recipe FAQ

How to grate cheese without a grater?

If you don’t have a cheese grater you can use a potato peeler on a block of cheese to make shredded cheese.

Should I use unsalted or salted butter?

You can use either but if you use salted butter be sure to add a pinch of salt to taste or leave it out completely. I usually use salted butter for this recipe and do the called for salt measurement but that’s our preference.

What is Auntie Anne’s cheese sauce made of?

Auntie Anne’s like most prepackaged sauces uses milk, cheese or cheese flavoring, oils such as soy, and additives.

Is this cheese sauce for pretzels healthy?

I’d say yes this cheese sauce is healthier or more wholesome than most. You’re making it from scratch which means no additives, preservatives, or seed oils.

Try These Other Sauce Recipes From Scratch

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