Game day will never be the same after you try these Jalapeño Stuffed Taco Soft Pretzel Sticks. Creamy, spicy and addictive!
Are there any recipes or cooking techniques that you are scared of? Ones that you always say you want to try, but that you are holding back for one reason or another?
I was talking to a small group of food bloggers the other day, and one was saying that she wanted to try a Baked Alaska recipe, but was feeling a bit intimidated by it. I told her that I felt the same way before I had ever tried one, but once I made it, I realized just how easy it was.
And then I realized that is how most recipes are that I am scared to try at first. They are usually quite simple when you actually do make them, and you wonder why you put it off for so long.
One of those things on my list that has always intimidated me is homemade soft pretzels. But guess what?
They are super easy.
Like, I could make soft pretzels on a Tuesday afternoon and it wouldn’t be a big deal. This could be dangerous.
But of course, I couldn’t just make soft pretzels and call it good. I had to make the ultimate game day food. Everyone loves jalapeño poppers on game day, so I thought to myself – why not fill soft pretzels with a cheesy jalapeño mixture?
I was feeling pretty good about my idea, but then I spotted a package of Old El Paso taco seasoning in my pantry. And on a whim, I decided to throw some of the seasoning into the pretzel dough to make a taco pretzel.
Yep – I totally went there.
But wait!! That’s not all!! You could totally eat these stuffed soft pretzel sticks on their own, but they were just begging for something to dip them in, so I threw in some taco guacamole. Because everything is better when you get avocados involved.
So you have Old El Paso pickled jalapeños, cream cheese and cheddar cheese, all stuffed inside a soft pretzel dough that is flavored with taco seasoning. I will not even admit to you how many of these I ate. It would be embarrassing.
I was surprised with how easy these came together. It takes a little time to form the pretzels and stuff them, but it’s all worth it in the end. I do have to warn you, though – I think it’s impossible to not have any of the filling escape from the soft pretzel sticks while they are baking. But the majority stays in, so don’t worry if you see a little bit of the filling come out.
Try out these Jalapeno Stuffed Taco Soft Pretzel Sticks the next time you have a football get together. Or make them for yourself and just hide in the kitchen and stuff your face with them like I did. But I’m guessing these would be even more popular than the football!
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Jalapeño Stuffed Taco Soft Pretzel Sticks
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 4 1/2 teaspoons yeast
- 5-6 cups flour
- 3 tablespoons Old El Paso taco seasoning
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 4 oz shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Old El Paso sliced jalapeños diced
- 8 cups water
- 2/3 cup baking soda
- 1 egg
- coarse salt
- 2 avocados
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3 tablespoons Old El Paso Taco Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
- juice from one lime
- salt
Instructions
- Place the warm water, 1 tablespoon of the sugar and the yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. Allow to sit until softened and the yeast is bubbling, 2-5 minutes. Stir in the remaining sugar, the taco seasoning and one cup of the flour and mix to combine. Add in the salt, and start add in the flour, 1/4 to 1/2 cup at a time, until you have a dough that soft and tacky. Knead until smooth, about 5 minutes.
- Place the vegetable oil in a large bowl. Add the dough and turn to coat. Place a towel or plastic wrap over the top and allow to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Make the filling while the dough is rising. Combine the cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese in a bowl. Add in the jalapeños and stir until combined.
- Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large pot, bring the 8 cups of water to a boil. Add in the baking soda slowly. (It will bubble up, so make sure you add it in gradually and slowly.)
- Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Working with one piece at a time, roll it into a long rectangle, about 18-inches by 3-inches. Cut the piece into 4 equal pieces. Place about 2 teaspoons of the filling down the center of each piece. Carefully roll the dough over the filling, then pinch in the ends and the seam.
- Add the dough to the boiling water and let it boil for 30-60 seconds. Remove from the water with a slotted spoon and transfer to the baking sheet, spacing a couple inches apart.
- Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
- Lightly beat the egg with a splash of water. Brush the egg over the tops of the pretzel sticks, then sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake in the preheated oven until dark and brown, 15-18 minutes.
- To make the taco guacamole, mash the avocados in a large bowl. Stir in the sour cream, taco seasoning, cilantro and lime juice. Season to taste with salt. Serve the guacamole with the warm pretzel sticks.
Recipe Notes:
I am in a working relationship with Old El Paso, and this post has been sponsored. I’m so glad to be able to work with companies and organizations that I truly believe in. Thank you for supporting them, too.
Mariel @ Or so she says... says
Holy cow, girlfriend. These look amazing and I want them NOW! I’m so happy you shared them in our tailgating series, they’re perfect for that. Just pinned! 🙂
Sara says
Can’t wait to try these…wondering though if they will be too sweet? I normally put very little sugar into my pretzel dough. Is it to balance the taco seasoning?
Deborah says
I didn’t find them sweet at all. I just like the sugar to balance out the spicy a little bit. I’m sure you could leave the sugar out and it would be fine if you are worried about the sweetness.
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
What a great idea! These look amazing!
bev @ bevcooks says
OMMMGGGGGGGGG yes.
Yvette (Muy Bueno) says
Genius! I’m drooling here. Yum!
Margaret says
My sister sent me this recipe this morning and I baked these pretzels this afternoon. I made a half batch of pretzel bites and mmm yum they are delicious! I love baking with all pantry staples. And I’ve been dying use up some of my Costo-sized taco seasoning lol Thanks for the yummy recipe!
Deborah says
I’m so glad you tried them and liked them! And I agree – yay for pantry staples!