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Ultimate Loaded Football Charcuterie Board with Easy Pretzels

football charcuterie board - featured image
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A game-day charcuterie board piled high with soft pretzels, crunchy veggies, spicy meats, and creamy dips. Perfect for feeding a crowd without sending you to the kitchen every five minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups warm water (110°F)
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ teaspoons)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 10 cups water (for boiling)
  • ⅔ cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg, beaten (for wash)
  • Coarse sea salt or pretzel salt
  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar (shredded)
  • ⅓ cup beer (lager or pale ale)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 lb Velveeta (cubed)
  • 1 can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained)
  • ½ lb ground breakfast sausage (cooked and crumbled)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ½ cup Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 lb assorted deli meats (salami, pepperoni, prosciutto)
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese (block, sliced)
  • 8 oz Gouda or smoked provolone (sliced)
  • 1 cup mixed olives (green and kalamata)
  • 1 cup pickles (dill spears or cornichons)
  • 2 cups fresh veggie sticks (carrots, celery, bell peppers)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup nuts (almonds or cashews)
  • Fresh herbs for garnish (rosemary or parsley)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine the warm water, brown sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Make the dough: Add the flour, salt, and melted butter to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms. Turn it out onto a floured surface and knead for 6-8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled in size.
  4. Shape the pretzels: Punch down the dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll each into a 20-inch rope. Form a U-shape, cross the ends over twice, then fold down to create the classic pretzel shape. Press ends to seal.
  5. Boil the pretzels: Preheat oven to 425°F. Bring 10 cups of water to a boil, then carefully add the baking soda. Boil each pretzel for 30 seconds per side. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake: Brush each pretzel with beaten egg wash and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes until deep golden brown.
  7. Make the Beer Cheese Dip: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine cream cheese, shredded cheddar, beer, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder. Stir until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
  8. Make the Spicy Queso: In another saucepan, cook breakfast sausage until browned. Drain fat. Add Velveeta, undrained Rotel, and cumin. Stir over medium-low heat until melted. Keep warm.
  9. Make the Honey Mustard: Whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  10. Assemble the board: Place small bowls of dips on the board first. Arrange soft pretzels around the bowls. Fold deli meats into ribbons or rosettes and place in clusters. Fan out sliced cheeses next to meats. Fill remaining spaces with veggie sticks, olives, pickles, cherry tomatoes, and nuts. Garnish with fresh herbs if using.

Notes

Don’t skip the baking soda bath for the pretzels—it gives them their chewy, dark crust. Keep the dips warm by transferring them to small slow cookers or setting the bowls over tea lights. Overlap everything on the board for an abundant look. Toast the nuts for extra flavor. Prep veggies the night before and store in cold water to keep them crisp. Use room temperature cream cheese for the beer cheese dip to avoid lumps.

Nutrition

Keywords: football charcuterie board, game day snack, soft pretzels, beer cheese dip, spicy queso, honey mustard, party platter

Find it online: https://livelybite.com/ultimate-loaded-football-charcuterie-board-with-easy-pretzels/