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Watch Me Make It:
Let me tell you—these stuffed pretzel bites are the ultimate party trick. Gooey mozzarella cheese, spicy pepperoni, buttery garlic herb sauce… all packed inside soft, chewy pretzels. If you love pepperoni pizza, soft pretzels, or just need an easy appetizer that makes people instantly ask, “What are these and where do I get more?” then these stuffed pretzel bites are for you.
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I started making stuffed pretzel bites when I was looking for an idea for something quick, handheld, and loaded with pizza toppings—but also something a little different. These pepperoni pizza pretzels check all the boxes. You get that familiar chewy texture from the pretzel dough, the kick from the spicy pepperoni, and that glorious melt from the gooey mozzarella cheese stuffed inside.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These stuffed pretzel bites are made with simple ingredients but feel like something you’d find at a gourmet food truck. You’ve probably already got them in your pantry though.
The stuffed pretzel bites are incredibly versatile—great as a school snack, party appetizer, or just a delicious snack when you’re craving something salty, cheesy, and satisfying.
You can whip up a big batch of stuffed pretzel bites in under 30 minutes and stash any leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any) in an airtight container for quick reheats.
Ingredients / Tools You’ll Need
- 10 Hawaiian pretzel bites (or any soft pretzels from the grocery store)
- 1 string cheese, sliced thin
- 10 mini pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- Favorite pizza sauce for dipping
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Instructions
Preparation:
To get started on the stuffed pretzel bites: First, I preheat the oven or smoker to 350°F. While that’s heating up, I line a baking sheet with parchment paper so cleanup’s a breeze.
Grab your pretzel bites and gently hollow each one out. I use a small paring knife or even my finger whatever works. Save the little bread plugs you pull out; we’re going to reuse those.
Next, I take a thin slice of mozzarella cheese and pair it with one of those perfect little pepperoni slices. Press the two into the hollowed-out pretzel bite, then take the bread plug and seal it shut. Press it a bit if needed—it doesn’t have to be perfect, just tight enough to hold in the melted cheese. The stuffed pretzel bites might not all look perfect – thats ok! They’ll still be delicious.
Cooking:
Place all your filled stuffed pretzel pizza bites on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Slide them into the oven or smoker and let them bake for 10–15 minutes.
I keep a close eye on the stuffed pretzel bites starting around minute 7. Once the cheese just starts to bubble out slightly and the pretzel edges turn a deep golden brown, they’re ready.
Pull them out and toss them immediately into a bowl with the melted butter, chopped parsley, oregano, garlic, and Parmesan. Mix gently so everything gets coated and those herbs cling to the buttery pretzel crust.
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Serving Suggestions
I serve these stuffed pretzel bites hot, with a bowl of my favorite pizza sauce for dipping. If you’re doing a snack board, they look great next to some easy appetizers like meatballs, mozzarella sticks, or even celery sticks for balance.
They’re also killer as a side for soup, especially tomato basil. I’ve packed them up as a school snack, and they even work great as a perfect snack for road trips or game day munching.
Recipe Notes & Pro Tips
A few tips that’ll make these homemade pretzels even better:
Use the spicy pepperoni if you can find it—it gives just the right heat without overpowering everything.
Don’t overstuff the cheese or it’ll leak out too fast while baking.
An egg wash can help your pretzel pizza bites get a glossier finish, especially if you’re using homemade or thawed pretzel dough.
If you’re using a smoker instead of the oven, make sure the temp is steady and use a pan—trust me, you don’t want melted cheese dripping through grates.
Variations
Want to switch it up? Try adding jalapeños for extra heat or swap in mini salami or turkey pepperoni. For a fun twist on Hawaiian pretzel bites, add a little chopped pineapple with your cheese and pepperoni slices.
You could also mix up the herbs—throw in some thyme or rosemary if you’ve got it. And don’t sleep on using cheddar or pepper jack instead of mozzarella. It changes the whole vibe but still melts beautifully.
If you’re doing a big party, make a double batch and keep them warm in a slow cooker lined with parchment. Just be sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container.
Other Recipes You’ll Love:
- Garlic Bread Pizza – Easy Texas Toast Pizza Recipe
- Homemade Pizza Rolls – Easy Recipe!
- Croissant Pizza Roll Ups – Easy Snack Recipe
- Mini Slider Pizza Bites
- Pizza Biscuit Cups – Perfect Pizza Recipes
Ingredients
- 10 Pretzel Bites Kings Hawaiian or similar
- 1 String Cheese sliced thin
- 10 Mini Pepperoni slices
- 1/4 C Parsley fresh, chopped
- 1/4 C Oregano fresh chopped
- 1 TBSP Garlic minced
- 2 TBSP Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 4 TBSP Butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven or smoker to 350F
- Hollow out pretzel bite as shown, save the end to use as a plug
- Thinly slice string cheese and pair with a mini pepperoni and press inside the pretzel bite. Add the bread that was removed to plug it, press bread together if needed
- Place on a baking sheet and put in oven for 10-15 minutes. When you see the cheese starting to melt out a little, and the pretzels are a deep golden color they are done. Remove and combine in a bowl with butter, herbs, and cheese. Mix well.
- Serve hot.
