Mozzarella Stuffed Soft Pretzels [60 Minutes]: The Ultimate Cheesy Snack

If you’ve ever bitten into a soft pretzel at a fair or stadium, you know how irresistible they are—warm, chewy, golden brown, and perfectly salty. Now imagine taking that classic pretzel and stuffing it with gooey, melty mozzarella cheese. That’s exactly what you get with Mozzarella Stuffed Soft Pretzels, and the best part is you can make them at home in just 60 minutes.

These pretzels are the perfect snack for game day, movie night, or whenever you’re craving something indulgent yet homemade. They’re soft on the inside, golden and chewy on the outside, with molten cheese that stretches in every bite. If you’ve been intimidated by baking pretzels before, don’t worry—this recipe is surprisingly simple, and I’ll walk you through every step.

Why You’ll Love These Mozzarella Stuffed Soft Pretzels

Cheese Lover’s Dream – Each pretzel hides a pocket of gooey mozzarella that oozes with every bite.
Better Than Store-Bought – Freshly baked pretzels beat frozen or packaged ones any day.
Quick for Homemade Dough – With just 1 hour from start to finish, these pretzels are faster than most yeast breads.
Perfect for Sharing – Great for parties, gatherings, or family snack nights.
Customizable – Switch up the cheese, add herbs, or make them sweet instead of savory.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Pretzel Dough

1 ½ cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling

12 mozzarella cheese sticks (string cheese works perfectly)

For the Baking Soda Bath

10 cups water
½ cup baking soda

For the Topping

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Coarse sea salt (or pretzel salt)

Optional Dipping Sauces

Warm marinara sauce
Garlic butter dip
Ranch dressing

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it becomes foamy. This tells you the yeast is alive and ready to work.

Step 2: Make the Dough

Add flour, salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon or stand mixer fitted with a dough hook until the dough comes together. Knead for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel, and let rest for 15 minutes. Unlike most yeast breads, you don’t need a long rise—just a short rest to relax the dough.

Step 3: Divide and Shape

Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 16 inches long. Place a mozzarella stick in the center of the rope and pinch the dough around it, sealing the edges so the cheese doesn’t escape.

Shape each rope into a classic pretzel twist by forming a U-shape, crossing the ends, twisting once, then folding down. Press the ends into the bottom of the U to secure.

Step 4: Baking Soda Bath

Bring 10 cups of water and baking soda to a boil in a large pot. Carefully drop each pretzel into the boiling bath for 30 seconds, one or two at a time. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on prepared baking sheets. This step gives pretzels their signature chewy crust.

Step 5: Egg Wash & Topping

Brush each pretzel with beaten egg and sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 12–14 minutes until deep golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. The mozzarella will be molten hot, so give them a few minutes before biting in!

Tips for the Best Stuffed Pretzels

Seal the dough well – Pinch seams tightly to prevent cheese from leaking during baking.
Use string cheese – It’s the perfect size and melts beautifully without oozing too much.
Don’t skip the baking soda bath – It’s what creates the chewy pretzel crust and signature flavor.
Get creative with toppings – Try sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning, or garlic parmesan.
Eat warm – These pretzels are best fresh out of the oven when the cheese is stretchy.

Serving Ideas

Mozzarella stuffed pretzels are fantastic on their own, but pairing them with dips makes them even better. Try serving with:

Warm marinara sauce for a pizza-like twist.
Spicy nacho cheese sauce for double the cheese indulgence.
Honey mustard for a sweet-and-tangy combo.
Garlic butter for that irresistible pizzeria flavor.

Variations to Try

Cheddar Pretzels – Swap mozzarella for sharp cheddar cheese.
Pepper Jack Pretzels – Add a little spice with pepper jack sticks.
Herb & Cheese Pretzels – Mix Italian seasoning or garlic powder into the dough.
Stuffed Pretzel Bites – Instead of full pretzels, make bite-sized pieces perfect for snacking.
Sweet Pretzels – Skip the salt, brush with butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar for dessert-style pretzels.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

Room Temperature – Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Reheat – Warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness.
Freeze – Freeze baked pretzels (without dipping sauces) for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen.

Nutritional Information (Approx. per pretzel)

Calories: ~270
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 9g
Fat: 9g
Fiber: 2g

(Nutritional values may vary depending on cheese and flour brands.)

Why Homemade Pretzels are Worth It

Buying frozen pretzels is easy, but nothing compares to homemade. When you bake your own, you control the ingredients, customize the flavors, and enjoy the unbeatable aroma of fresh bread filling your kitchen. Plus, the satisfaction of pulling a tray of golden, cheesy pretzels out of the oven is unmatched.

Final Thoughts

In just 60 minutes, you can whip up a batch of warm, chewy, golden-brown Mozzarella Stuffed Soft Pretzels that rival anything you’d find at a fair or bakery. With their gooey cheese center and signature salty crust, these pretzels are an irresistible snack for any occasion.

Whether you’re serving them at a party, making them for game night, or just craving a cheesy treat, these pretzels are sure to become a go-to favorite in your kitchen. Once you try them, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start baking pretzels at home sooner!

So grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let’s make pretzel magic happen.