Step into a flavor-packed adventure with these BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Pretzel Bites — a mouthwatering fusion of juicy burger, smoky bacon, and melty cheese, all wrapped in a soft, chewy pretzel shell. Get ready to delight your taste buds with this creative, crowd-pleasing treat that’s guaranteed to elevate your snacking and entertaining game.
Why You’ll Love This BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Pretzel Bites
These epic pretzel bites are a flavor explosion that will have your guests coming back for more. The combination of a savory, satisfying burger filling and a warm, doughy pretzel exterior creates a delightful contrast of textures and tastes. The BBQ-infused ground beef, crispy bacon, and gooey cheddar cheese come together in a way that’s both comforting and craveable. Plus, the easy, hands-on prep makes this the perfect recipe for casual gatherings, game days, or anytime you need a delicious, crowd-pleasing snack.
Ingredients
Gather your ingredients for these BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Pretzel Bites, including ground beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce, and the essentials for making soft pretzel dough. With a few simple swaps, you can customize the filling to suit your taste preferences.
- 1 lb – Ground beef
- 8 oz – Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 oz – Bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1/4 cup – BBQ sauce
- Pretzel dough (homemade or store-bought)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground beef: Ground turkey or bison can be used instead (for different protein options)
- Cheddar cheese: Pepper jack or Swiss cheese work well as alternatives (dietary swap)
How to Make BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Pretzel Bites
Follow these simple steps to create these irresistible BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Pretzel Bites.
Step 1: Prep Work
Begin by cooking the bacon until crispy, then drain and crumble it. In a skillet, sauté the ground beef with BBQ sauce, salt, and pepper until cooked through. Shred the cheddar cheese. Prepare the pretzel dough according to the recipe instructions.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Divide the pretzel dough into small portions and roll each one into a ball. Use your fingers to create a well in the center of each ball, then fill the well with the BBQ beef mixture, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Carefully pinch and seal the dough around the filling to completely enclose it. Arrange the stuffed pretzel bites on a baking sheet, brush them with an egg wash, and bake until golden brown and perfectly baked.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
As soon as the pretzel bites come out of the oven, brush them with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the beef filling (for a spicier version)
- Cheese Blend: Experiment with different cheese combinations, such as a mix of cheddar and pepper jack (to enhance the flavor)
- Shortcuts: Use store-bought pretzel dough or even refrigerated biscuit dough as a time-saving option (for convenience)
- Dipping Sauces: Serve these BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Pretzel Bites with additional BBQ sauce, ranch, or your favorite dipping sauces (for an extra flavor boost)
Serving & Storage
Serve with: These pretzel bites are best served warm, straight from the oven. They make a fantastic appetizer, snack, or even a light meal when paired with a salad or fries.
Storage: Any leftover pretzel bites can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave before serving.
Reheat: For the best texture, reheat the pretzel bites in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes until warmed through and crispy on the outside.
Make-Ahead: You can prepare the pretzel dough a day in advance and refrigerate it until ready to assemble and bake the stuffed pretzel bites.
Nutrition Information
These BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Pretzel Bites are a delightful indulgence, with a balance of savory, comforting flavors and satisfying protein and carbohydrates. Each bite delivers approximately 200 calories, 10g of fat, 18g of carbohydrates, and 10g of protein, making them a perfectly portioned treat.
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel bite
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Protein: 10 g
- Carbs: 18 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the pretzel dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pretzel dough a day in advance and refrigerate it until ready to assemble and bake the stuffed pretzel bites.
Can I freeze the stuffed pretzel bites?
Absolutely! Baked and cooled pretzel bites can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat them directly from frozen in the oven or air fryer.
What’s the best way to reheat the pretzel bites?
For the best texture, reheat the pretzel bites in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes until warmed through and crispy on the outside.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, feel free to experiment with different cheese varieties, such as pepper jack, Swiss, or a blend of cheeses, to suit your taste preferences.
How can I make these vegetarian or vegan?
To make a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with cooked plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms. For a vegan option, use a dairy-free cheese alternative and omit the bacon.
Try These Next
- cheesy bacon jalapeno stuffed pretzel bites for game day
- loaded bbq bacon cheeseburger melts
- gooey cheddar stuffed bbq bacon burgers
Mouthwatering BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Pretzel Bites
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: 🍔 Epic Burgers & Melts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Pretzel Bites are a perfect snack or appetizer for any gathering. They combine the delicious flavors of a cheeseburger with the soft, warm goodness of pretzel dough.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1 can refrigerated pretzel dough
1 egg (for egg wash)
Coarse sea salt (for topping)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Stir in the crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese, and BBQ sauce until well combined.
4. Roll out the pretzel dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 2-inch squares.
5. Place a spoonful of the beef mixture in the center of each square.
6. Fold the corners of the dough over the filling and pinch to seal.
7. Place the stuffed bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Beat the egg and brush it over the top of each pretzel bite. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
10. Let cool slightly before serving with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
Notes
These bites can be made ahead of time and frozen. Just bake them directly from the freezer for a few extra minutes.
Feel free to customize the filling with your favorite burger toppings like pickles or onions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: BBQ, Bacon, Cheeseburger, Pretzel Bites