Cheesy Stuffed Sourdough Pretzel

There’s nothing quite like the warm, salty bite of a soft pretzel—except maybe when it’s stuffed with melty cheese and made with the tangy magic of sourdough. These Cheesy Stuffed Sourdough Pretzels take snacking to a whole new level. With a chewy sourdough base, a hidden cheesy center, and a golden, salted crust, they’re part comfort food, part impressive party snack, and 100% crave-worthy.

In this blog post, we’ll guide you through how to make these stuffed sourdough pretzels from scratch using your sourdough discard or active starter. We’ll share shaping tips, stuffing tricks, storage tips, variations, and more. Whether you’re baking for a game day, a cozy night in, or just to use up that starter, this recipe will quickly become a favorite.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 1/2 cup (120g) active sourdough starter

• 3/4 cup (180ml) warm water

• 2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp sugar

• 2 Tbsp melted butter or olive oil

For the Cheese Filling:

• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar, mozzarella, or cheese of choice

• 1/4 tsp garlic powder (optional)

• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika (optional)

For Boiling and Topping:

• 6 cups water

• 2 Tbsp baking soda

• 1 egg (for egg wash)

• Coarse salt, for topping

Tools You Need

• Large mixing bowl

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Dough scraper

• Rolling pin

• Medium pot (for boiling)

• Baking sheet with parchment paper

• Pastry brush

• Slotted spoon

• Towel for covering dough

Instructions

1. Make the Dough In a large mixing bowl, combine active starter, warm water, sugar, and salt. Stir in flour until a shaggy dough forms. Add melted butter or oil and knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth.

Cover and let rest for 30 minutes. Perform 2–3 stretch and folds over the next 90 minutes. Let rise until doubled—about 4–6 hours at room temp or overnight in the fridge.

2. Prepare Cheese Filling In a small bowl, combine cheese with garlic powder and paprika if using. Set aside.

3. Shape and Stuff the Pretzels Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 12 inches long. Flatten the rope and place a line of cheese down the center.

Fold dough over the cheese and pinch tightly to seal, creating a cheese-filled rope. Shape each into a classic pretzel.

4. Boil the Pretzels Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Bring water and baking soda to a boil. Carefully boil pretzels one at a time for 30 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

5. Bake Brush pretzels with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 15–18 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

Cool slightly and enjoy warm with mustard, ranch, or more melted cheese.

Why Sourdough Makes It Better

The sourdough starter adds tang and chew to the dough, giving the pretzels that authentic depth of flavor. It’s also a great way to use discard, reducing waste while creating gourmet snacks.

Flavor Variations

• Jalapeño Cheddar: Add diced jalapeños to the cheese mix.

• Pizza Pretzels: Use mozzarella and a bit of pepperoni inside.

• Everything Bagel: Sprinkle the tops with everything bagel seasoning before baking.

• Sweet Version: Stuff with cream cheese and drizzle with cinnamon sugar after baking.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

• Refrigerate dough: Let it rise overnight, then shape and bake the next day.

• Freeze unbaked pretzels: After boiling, freeze on a sheet pan. Bake straight from frozen, adding 5 minutes to the bake time.

• Store baked pretzels: Keep in an airtight container at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.

• Reheat: Warm in oven at 350°F for 5–10 minutes.

Tips for Success

• Seal the cheese inside tightly to prevent leakage.

• Don’t skip the baking soda boil—it creates the pretzel texture and color.

• Use parchment or a greased pan to avoid sticking.

• Let them rest 5 minutes out of the oven before eating—they’re molten hot!

Serving Suggestions

• With mustard, ranch, or cheese dip

• As a side for soup or chili

• Cut in half and used as a bun for sliders

• Pack them in lunchboxes or picnic baskets

Final Thoughts

These Cheesy Stuffed Sourdough Pretzels are everything you want in a snack: warm, comforting, tangy, cheesy, salty, and impossible to resist. They’re fun to shape, even more fun to eat, and a brilliant way to put your sourdough starter to good use.

Whether you're baking for a party, craving a savory treat, or just looking to level up your snack game, these pretzels are guaranteed to steal the show.