Pizza Stuffed Pretzel Bites

Spicy pepperoni and a creamy cheese blend is rolled into soft pretzel dough.

This is a recipe that I entered into a Real Woman of Philadelphia Canada contest a few years back. It won a place in the Season 1 cookbook and I would like to share it with you today. It is a wonderful appetizer, perfect for game night, boys night in, or even for a small get together. Everyone seems to love pizza and soft pretzels, so why not put them together into one heck of an awesome appetizer?

The kids love these. Think of these as kick up pizza rolls. Your guest will be digging in and begging for more!

Pizza Stuffed Pretzel Bites

printable version

3/4 C warm water
1 1/4 tsp fast acting yeast
2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 C flour
1 pkg cream cheese, softened
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp each dried basil and oregano
1 C mozzarella cheese, finely shredded
3/4 C Cheddar, finely shredded, divided
pepperoni slices
Parmesan cheese
1 egg
water
2 C favourite marinara sauce, of leftover meat sauce

In a medium bowl, add sugar to warm water then sprinkle yeast on top. Let float for a minute then stir to dissolve the yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes as yeast activates and starts to foam. Add salt and flour and knead 5-10 minutes; adding more flour as needed to reduce stickiness. Divide dough in to 12 pieces and roll each piece into a long rope. With a rolling pin, flaten each rope to 1 1/2 inch wide.

In a seperate bowl, mix cream cheese with mozzarella, 1/2 C Cheddar, garlic powder, basil and oregano; mixing to combine thoroughly. Spread some of the cheese mixture onto every piece of dough, leaving a slight border along one of the long sides. Place pepperoni slices ontop of the cheese. Fold half of the dough (long side) over to the center. Fold remaining daugh over to the center and pinch seams (so that the filling is inside and you are left with a stuffed tube of dough), along with ends.

Place stuffed dough onto baking sheets. Beat egg with a touch of water, to make an egg wash. Brush tops of dough with egg wash and sprinkle some with Parmesan and others with remaining cheddar.

Bake at 400 degrees, until dough is golden and tops are browned. Let cool 10 minutes, before slicicng. Slice on the diagonal, into 1 inch pieces and serve with warmed marinara or meat sauce.