Ham and Cheese Stuffed Pretzel Bites
Author: 
Recipe type: Appetizer
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 60-80 bites
 
These pretzel bites stuffed with ham and mozzarella cheese are addictive!
Ingredients
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 packet instant/rapid rise yeast
  • 2½ to 3 cups flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 8 ounce package deli sliced honey ham
  • 1 8 ounce bag shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1-2 tablespoons coarse salt
Instructions
  1. Warm milk in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Pour into a large bowl and mix with the brown sugar. Stir until the sugar is melted.
  2. Add the yeast and 2.5 cups of flour to the bowl, mix by hand until a soft dough forms. Add flour as necessary. When the dough is easy to handle, scrape out of the bowl and onto a floured work surface. Knead, adding flour until the dough is smooth. Wipe the bowl with olive oil and place the dough ball back into the bowl. Rotate the ball to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a dry dish towel and allow the dough to rise in a warm place for 2 hours.
  3. Meanwhile, prep the filling by chopping the ham into small cubes. Pull the cubes apart and return to fridge until ready to assemble.
  4. After the dough has doubled in size, turn out onto a floured workstation. Cut the dough into four equal pieces, set three aside. Using your hands, roll the dough portion into a log about 12-16 inches long. Flatten into a rectangle about 3 inches wide.
  5. Sprinkle the center of the dough with ham and mozzarella. Fold both sides over the center of the dough and pinch to seal. If the dough does not seal easily, wet your fingers and run them along the seam, then pinch.
  6. Use a knife or bench scraper to cut the log into bite size pieces, about 15-20 per dough portion.
  7. Place the cut pieces on a baking sheet about 1” apart. Repeat with the other portions of dough, and allow the bites to rest on the baking sheets for half an hour.
  8. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400° F. Once the pretzel bites have rested, bake for about 15 minutes. As soon as they are removed from the oven, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with salt. Serve while warm. Don’t worry about the leftovers, I guarantee there won’t be any!
Recipe by hOhm Cooking at http://hohmcooking.com/2016/10/25/ham-cheese-stuffed-pretzel-bites/