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Easy Cheesy Pretzel Football Charcuterie Board

easy cheesy pretzel football charcuterie board - featured image
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A fun and interactive game-day appetizer featuring warm, buttery pretzel pieces shaped like a football, served with a velvety sharp cheddar cheese sauce, tangy mustard, and honey. Perfect for parties and gatherings, this board comes together in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large soft pretzel buns or 6–8 soft pretzel bites
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted (for brushing pretzels)
  • Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (freshly shredded)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (full-fat)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk (or 2% if needed)
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for cheese sauce)
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 cup whole grain mustard (or spicy brown mustard)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños (optional)
  • Fresh chives or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Cherry tomatoes or red bell pepper strips (for football laces)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper if using.
  2. Cut each soft pretzel bun into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch chunks). Arrange on the baking sheet in a single layer. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle lightly with coarse sea salt. Bake for 5-7 minutes until warm and slightly crisped on the edges.
  3. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add the cream cheese and whisk until smooth, about 1 minute. Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously. Add the shredded cheddar cheese a handful at a time, whisking until each addition is fully melted. Stir in Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and cayenne (if using). Whisk until smooth and glossy, about 3-4 minutes total. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
  4. On a serving board or platter, arrange the warm pretzel pieces in the shape of a football—pointed at both ends and wider in the middle. Leave a small gap in the center for the cheese sauce bowl.
  5. Place the bowl of warm cheese sauce in the center of the pretzel football. Surround it with small bowls of whole grain mustard and honey. Add pickled jalapeños in another small bowl if using.
  6. Use cherry tomatoes halved or red bell pepper strips to create football laces on top of the pretzel football—arrange them in a line down the center with small cross pieces.
  7. Sprinkle fresh chopped chives or parsley over the entire board. Serve immediately while pretzels are warm and cheese sauce is hot.

Notes

For best results, use freshly shredded cheddar cheese as pre-shredded contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. If the cheese sauce thickens too much, stir in a splash of warm milk to loosen it. Go light on the sea salt since the cheese sauce and mustard add saltiness. The board is best served immediately, but components can be prepped a day ahead.

Nutrition

Keywords: pretzel charcuterie board, football appetizer, game day snack, cheese dip, easy appetizer, party food, pretzel bites

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/easy-cheesy-pretzel-football-charcuterie-board/