Make Ahead

Chipotle Cheese Fondue with Homemade Pretzels

February 15, 2011
5
2 Ratings
  • Serves 4-6
Author Notes

This is a Mexican-inspired fondue using chipotle chili peppers that give the fondue a great smoky spicy flavor. It does turn out pretty spicy so if you are not a big fan of spicy food you could decrease the number of peppers. For this recipe I like to use homemade pretzels. You could make this two ways: You could make pretzel nuggets to dip using the fondue forks or make sticks that make it easy for guests to dip without using the forks. - singing_baker —singing_baker

Test Kitchen Notes

This is a nice southwestern twist on a classic fondue. The chipotles give a nice kick of heat. Don’t forget the scallions and cilantro as they really brighten up the cheese mixture. I kept the lime juice to the side and liked the fondue without the lime, but that is a personal preference. The pretzels are easy and fun to make. I would also use tortilla chips, bell peppers, carrots and celery as dunkers. The leftover fondue is great for adding to burritos, nachos, or on top of rice and beans. —Helen's All Night Diner

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Pretzels
  • 1 1/2 cups Warm water
  • 2 tablespoons Dark brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Honey
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons Active dry yeast
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter(melted and cooled)
  • 4 1/2 cups Bread flour
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • Olive oil
  • 2 quarts Water
  • 1/2 cup Baking soda
  • 2 Eggs beaten with 1 Tbs. water
  • Sea Salt
  • Chipotle Cheese Fondue
  • 2 cups Sharp Cheddar, Shredded
  • 2 cups Pepperjack cheese, Shredded
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
  • Olive oil
  • 2 Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup Mexican beer, Preferably Tecate
  • 1 tablespoon Lime juice
  • 4 Chipotle Chilis in adobo Sauce, chopped
  • Chopped Cilantro or scallions for garnish
Directions
  1. Pretzels
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attached combine the warm water, brown sugar, honey, melted butter and yeast. Let stand for five minutes.
  3. Turn on mixer at lowest speed and start to add the flour a little at a time. Once all the flour is combined add the salt. urn mixer on to medium speed and let the dough hook knead for about five minutes. If the dough seems too wet add a little flour at a time until it reaches a desired consistency, It should be slightly wet. Oil a bowl with olive oil and turn the dough in it to cover it with oil. Cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place until it has doubled about an hour.
  4. Preheat oven to 425 and put parchment paper on two large baking sheets. Bring the water to a boil in a wide pot. While waiting for the water to boil take the pretzel dough and taking a little bit at a time, shape it into sticks or little nuggets. I like the sticks to be four inches long and about a 1/2 inch wide. Or if you want to do nuggets about 1/2 inch chunks because they do get larger.
  5. When he water is boiling add the baking soda and put in as many sticks/nuggets without over crowding them. Boil them for no longer then a minute. Spoon them out onto the parchment lined baking sheets. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sea salt. Repeat this process as needed
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Let sit at least 10 minutes before dipping into fondue.
  1. Chipotle Cheese Fondue
  2. Combine cheeses with cornstarch in a large bowl. Heat fondue pan on high. Coat the bottom lightly with olive oil. When shimmering add the garlic. Cook until golden. De-glaze the pan with the Mexican beer. bring to a simmer and add the cheese mixture.
  3. Mix in the lime juice and chopped chipotle peppers. Garnish with cilantro or scallions. Serve with homemade pretzel sticks/nuggets.
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4 Reviews

singing_baker February 15, 2011
the pretzels on their own are really good. If you have never made homemade pretzels I totally recommend it. They are so much better than anything you'd get at a mall.
 
hardlikearmour February 15, 2011
I'm seriously thinking about it. They have some crunchy pumpernickel pretzels at Trader Joe's, so I'm envisioning substituting some rye flour for part of the bread flour. Definitely has my wheels spinning!
 
singing_baker February 15, 2011
Rye flour would work great!
 
hardlikearmour February 15, 2011
Wow! I've never made my own pretzels, but your recipe makes me want to. The fondue sounds spicy yummy too.