Looking for a game day snack that packs a punch? These Lifeway Farmer Cheese Pretzel Bites paired with a spicy Farmer Cheese Dip are the party appetizer that work overtime.
Our protein-packed farmer cheese delivers the ultimate gut-friendly satisfaction to keep hunger at bay, as it’s an excellent source of protein and is lactose-intolerance friendly. With live cultures, it’s easy to digest and free of added sugar and salt so you have full control over how to use it. Give it a try this year for the big game, and make these delicious pretzel bites paired with a cheese dip you can whip up in no time—you’ll be glad you did!
Find our farmer cheese at a store near you or shop online here.
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 30 minutes Servings: 4Ingredients
For the Pretzels:
- 1 cup Farmer Cheese
- 1/4 tbsp. water
- 1 cup and 2 tbsp. flour
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 egg whisked for an egg wash
- 2 tbsp. Lifeway Kefir Butter*
For the Dip:
- 2 1/2 tbsp. hot sauce
- 2/3 cup additional Lifeway Farmer Cheese
- 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp. fresh chives
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F.
- Start by blending 1 cup of Lifeway Farmer Cheese in a food processor with 1/8 tbsp. water. Blend until creamy and fluffy. Mix in the flour, 1 tsp salt, and baking powder in a medium mixing bowl. Add blended Farmer Cheese, folding in with a spatula until a dough-like texture is achieved. Add remaining 1/8 tbsp. water or more if needed to achieve a thick dough you can roll and knead with your hands.
- On a clean, floured surface, knead dough with your hands and roll into a ball.
- Cut dough into 8 equal sized sections. Roll out between your hands into log-like shapes. Cut each one into 4 pretzel bites.
- Brush pretzel bites with the egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake or 20-30 minutes on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper until pretzel bites are golden brown. After they're done, brush with Lifeway Kefir Butter right after they come out of the oven.
- For the Dip: Combine 2/3 cup Lifeway Farmer Cheese, 1/4 tsp. salt, 2 1/2 tbsp. hot sauce, 1 tbsp. chives, and 1 tbsp. olive oil in a food processor; blend until smooth and creamy. Serve the dip with the pretzel bites alongside carrot and celery sticks. Enjoy!
