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Ultimate Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Pretzel Bowl – Easy Baked Appetizer

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This Ultimate Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Pretzel Bowl is a fun, indulgent appetizer featuring a soft pretzel crust filled with creamy, garlicky spinach artichoke dip. It’s easy to make with simple ingredients and perfect for game day or parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound store-bought pizza dough (room temperature)
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 1 large egg (beaten with 1 tablespoon water for wash)
  • Coarse sea salt or pretzel salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted, for brushing after baking)
  • 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup frozen chopped spinach (thawed and squeezed dry)
  • 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  2. Prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Mix until smooth and well combined. Add the minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Fold in the squeezed-dry spinach and chopped artichoke hearts. Mix until everything is evenly distributed. Set aside.
  3. Shape the dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll the pizza dough into a rough circle about 8 to 9 inches across. Place the dough circle on the prepared baking sheet.
  4. Create the well. Use a small bowl or your hands to create a slight indentation in the center of the dough, leaving about a 1 1/2-inch border around the edge.
  5. Fill the bowl. Spoon the spinach artichoke mixture into the center well. Spread it evenly, but don’t let it touch the very edge of the dough.
  6. Boil the baking soda bath. Fill a large pot with about 6 cups of water and bring it to a rolling boil. Carefully add the 1/4 cup baking soda (it will bubble up aggressively, so add it slowly). Stir to dissolve.
  7. Bathe the dough. Using a slotted spoon or spider strainer, gently lower the entire filled dough into the boiling baking soda water. Let it boil for exactly 30 seconds. Gently flip it over and boil for another 30 seconds. Carefully lift it out, letting excess water drip off, and return it to the baking sheet.
  8. Apply the egg wash. In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water. Using a pastry brush, gently brush the entire surface of the dough (including the edges) with the egg wash. Sprinkle generously with coarse sea salt or pretzel salt.
  9. Bake. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the pretzel crust is deeply golden brown and the filling is bubbly and hot. If the edges start browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil for the last 5 minutes.
  10. Finish with butter. Remove from the oven and immediately brush the pretzel crust with melted butter. Let it cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
  11. Serve. Use a sharp knife to cut the top off the pretzel bowl (like you’re making a bread bowl lid). You can cut the lid into wedges for dipping. Scoop out the cheesy dip with chunks of the pretzel bread, or serve with extra pretzel bites, crackers, or vegetable sticks on the side.

Notes

Squeeze every drop of water out of the frozen spinach to avoid a watery dip. Let cream cheese soften before mixing. Don’t overfill the dough—leave a border for the crust to puff. The baking soda bath is essential for the pretzel crust; boil exactly 30 seconds per side. If using frozen dough, thaw overnight in the fridge and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before shaping.

Nutrition

Keywords: pretzel bowl, spinach artichoke dip, cheesy appetizer, game day food, party appetizer, baked dip, bread bowl

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/ultimate-cheesy-spinach-artichoke-pretzel-bowl-easy-baked-appetizer/