Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Cheeseburger Filling:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)
For the Pretzel Dough:
- 1 package (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough (or pretzel dough if you can find it!)
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 8 cups water
- 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse pretzel salt for topping
Optional Toppings:
- Sesame seeds
- Everything bagel seasoning
Step-by-Step Instructions: Bomb Assembly Time!
Get Started: Prep the Filling
- Brown the Beef: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Season: Stir in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Sauce It Up: Add the ketchup and mustard, and mix well.
- Cheese, Please: Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Let the mixture cool slightly. This is important to prevent the dough from melting later.
Make the Pretzel Dough Ready
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Divide the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle. Cut the dough into approximately 24 equal squares. The exact number will depend on the size of your dough sheet.
Assemble the Bombs
- Fill ‘Em Up: Place about 1 tablespoon of the cheeseburger filling in the center of each dough square.
- Seal the Deal: Bring the corners of the dough square together and pinch to seal, forming a ball. Make sure the seam is tightly closed to prevent the filling from leaking out during baking. Place the sealed pretzel bombs on the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down.
The Baking Soda Bath (Important for that Pretzel Taste!)
- Boil the Water: In a large pot, bring the 8 cups of water to a boil.
- Add Baking Soda (Carefully!): Slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water. Be careful, as it will bubble up.
- Dip the Bombs: Working in batches, carefully drop the pretzel bombs into the boiling water for about 30 seconds each. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place them back on the baking sheet. This step is CRUCIAL for that authentic pretzel flavor and color. Don’t skip it!
Bake and Enjoy!
- Egg Wash & Salt: Brush the tops of the pretzel bombs with the beaten egg. Sprinkle generously with coarse pretzel salt (and sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning, if using).
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times can vary depending on your oven.
- Cool Slightly: Let the pretzel bombs cool slightly before serving. They’re best enjoyed warm!
Troubleshooting & Tips for Pretzel Perfection
Dough Dilemmas
Problem: Dough is too sticky to work with.
Solution: Add a little more flour to your work surface. Don’t overwork the dough, though, or it will become tough.
Sealing Struggles
Problem: The filling is leaking out during baking.
Solution: Make sure you pinch the seams of the dough tightly to completely seal in the filling. You can also try using a little bit of water on your fingertips to help seal the dough.
Baking Issues
Problem: Pretzel bombs are browning too quickly.
Solution: Reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees and continue baking. You can also tent the baking sheet with foil to prevent excessive browning.
Flavor Boosters
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cheeseburger filling.
- Experiment with different cheeses! Pepper jack, provolone, or even a smoky Gouda would be delicious.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mustard, ranch dressing, or a spicy mayo.
Variations to Keep Things Interesting
Bacon Cheeseburger Pretzel Bombs
Add cooked and crumbled bacon to the cheeseburger filling for an extra layer of flavor.
Pizza Pretzel Bombs
Swap the cheeseburger filling for pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your favorite pizza toppings (pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, etc.).
Jalapeño Popper Pretzel Bombs
Combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, diced jalapeños, and bacon for a spicy and creamy filling.
More Delicious Bite-Sized Recipes
If you love these Cheeseburger Pretzel Bombs, you might also enjoy some of my other favorite recipes. For another handheld delight, try these Philly Cheesesteak Roll Ups. Or, if you’re in the mood for a comforting casserole, you can’t go wrong with Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole. For chicken lovers, I would recommend the Mozzarella Ranch Chicken Bombs. Craving Italian? Try these Cheesy Meatball Subs. And for a fun twist on taco night, check out Baked Ground Beef Tacos. Finally, for a fun casserole try the Pizza Tot Casserole.
Make-Ahead Tips & Storage
Prep Ahead
You can make the cheeseburger filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This will save you time on the day you plan to bake the pretzel bombs.
Freezing Instructions
These pretzel bombs can be frozen before baking. Assemble them, but don’t boil them in the baking soda bath. Freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, thaw them completely and proceed with the baking soda bath and baking instructions.
Storage
Store baked pretzel bombs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave before serving.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!
So, there you have it – a deliciously easy and fun recipe for Cheeseburger Pretzel Bombs! I know that baking soda bath can seem a bit intimidating, but trust me, it’s what gives these little bites their signature pretzel flavor and texture. Just follow the steps carefully, and you’ll be rewarded with a batch of golden-brown, cheesy, beefy goodness that everyone will love. Now, go forth and conquer those pretzel bombs – you’ve got this!Why is the baking soda bath so important for these pretzel bombs?
The baking soda bath is crucial for achieving the authentic pretzel flavor and color of the pretzel bombs. It’s what gives them their signature taste and texture.
Can I make the cheeseburger pretzel bombs ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the cheeseburger filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. You can also assemble the bombs and freeze them before baking. Thaw completely before proceeding with the baking soda bath and baking instructions.
What can I do if my pretzel bombs are browning too quickly in the oven?
If the pretzel bombs are browning too quickly, reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees and continue baking. You can also tent the baking sheet with foil to prevent excessive browning.
What are some variations I can make to the cheeseburger pretzel bombs?
You can add cooked and crumbled bacon for bacon cheeseburger pretzel bombs. You can also swap the cheeseburger filling for pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pizza toppings for pizza pretzel bombs, or combine cream cheese, cheddar, jalapeños, and bacon for jalapeño popper pretzel bombs.
Easy Cheeseburger Pretzel Bombs
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the ketchup and mustard, and mix well.
- Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted. Let the mixture cool slightly.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pizza dough into a large rectangle. Cut the dough into approximately 24 equal squares.
- Place about 1 tablespoon of the cheeseburger filling in the center of each dough square.
- Bring the corners of the dough square together and pinch to seal, forming a ball. Make sure the seam is tightly closed. Place the sealed pretzel bombs on the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down.
- In a large pot, bring the 8 cups of water to a boil.
- Slowly add the baking soda to the boiling water. Be careful, as it will bubble up.
- Working in batches, carefully drop the pretzel bombs into the boiling water for about 30 seconds each. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place them back on the baking sheet.
- Brush the tops of the pretzel bombs with the beaten egg.
- Sprinkle generously with coarse pretzel salt (and sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning, if using).
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let the pretzel bombs cool slightly before serving.
