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Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Feature

Pretzel Buns with Beer-Cheese Burgers Recipe

By: Andrea Alden

April is full of fun days to celebrate, you have April Fool’s Day, sometimes Easter, but one you may not be aware of is National Pretzel Day. Officially recognized as a day of celebration in 2003 by the Pennsylvania governor, you too can party on Pretzel Day by making your own homemade Pretzel Buns and serving them with Beer-Cheese Burgers. Sweet and buttery with a salty top, Pretzel Buns are the perfect package to place patties of beef, smothered with beer cheese, topped with caramelized onions, and tangy BBQ sauce. King Arthur Flour’s recipe for Pretzel Buns is the perfect way to ensure you have the deep color and texture of a pretzel with the soft fluffy interior of a burger bun. This exciting recipe is perfect for celebrating, whether it’s National Pretzel Day or another holiday.

Prep Time
120 min
Cook Time
35 min
Yield
4+
Difficulty
Medium

Pretzel Buns with Beer-Cheese Burgers Recipe

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Ingredients

Method

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Ingredients

Pretzel Buns

  • 1¾ cups (397 ml) water, warm 100°F (38°C)
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • ¾ tsp. salt
  • 4½ cups (540 g) unbleached bread flour
  • ¼ cup (28 g) dry milk powder
  • 2 tsp. instant yeast
  • 2 tbsp. neutral oil
  • coarse salt to taste
  • 8 cups (1814 ml) water
  • 1 tbsp. salt
  • ¼ cup (68 g) baking soda

Beer-Cheese Burgers

  • 2 lbs. (908 g) ground beef
  • 2 tsp. onion powder
  • 2 tsp. garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Your Favorite BBQ Sauce
  • 1 large, sweet onion, sliced
  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • ½ can (1 cup/255 ml) ale-style beer

Beer Cheese Sauce

  • 2 tbsp. butter
  • 2 tbsp. flour
  • ½ cup (125 ml) cream
  • ½ cup (125 ml) ale-style beer
  • ¼ cup (60 g) herb and garlic cream cheese
  • 1½ cups (180 g) shredded cheddar
Method
  1. In a stand mixer, combine the flour, butter, salt, milk powder, yeast, and add the water last. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes using the dough hook attachment. This should result in a smooth and lightly sticky dough. 
  2. Grease a bowl with some of the oil and move the dough over. Cover with a tea towel and allow to rest and rise for 1 hour until doubled in size. 
  3. Lightly grease your work surface and deflate the dough on it. Divide the dough into 6 to 10 equal-sized portions.
  4. Shape them into a taut ball until about 3 inches (7.6 cm) across. Place the balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and rest them for 15 minutes. 
  5. Preheat your grill to 400°F (200°C) with a pizza or baking stone on the grids. 
  6. In a large pot, bring 8 cups of water, the salt, and baking soda to a boil. One or two at a time, drop in the dough balls, cooking for 30 seconds, flipping, and cooking for another 30 seconds. Remove the boiled dough from the pot using a slotted spoon. 
  7. Sprinkle the boiled balls with salt while they are still warm, then, using a sharp knife or scissors, cut a shallow “x” into the tops. 
  8. Bake the buns for 20 to 25 minutes on a parchment-lined baking stone, until they’re a deep brown. Allow to cool before serving. You can also use cornmeal as a barrier instead of parchment for an added texture on your Pretzel Buns.

Beer-Cheese Burgers with Caramelized Onions & BBQ Sauce

  1. For best results, ensure the meat stays as cold as possible. In a bowl, combine the beef, with the onion and garlic powder. Shape the ground meat into patties using the Napoleon Gourmet Burger Press Kit. Brush the inside and the press with cold water, then form them into 6 equal-sized patties. Place the burgers on a waxed paper covered surface and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set and rest. While the burgers rest, prepare your other ingredients.
  2. Slice the onions nice and thin. Prepare your toppings and shred the cheese. 
  3. Preheat the grill to medium-high with an oven-safe frying pan like Napoleon’s Cast Iron Frying Pan. 
  4. In a saucepan, melt the butter for the cheese sauce, add the flour, and allow it to cook until the flour smell is gone, and it starts smelly nutty. Add the milk and beer, whisking to combine until it begins to thicken. Melt in the cream cheese, then slowly add the shredded cheese, whisking until melted and combined. Keep warm. 
  5. Add the butter and sliced onions to the frying pan on the barbecue. Pour over the beer and allow the onions to fry and caramelize. Season the patties with salt and freshly ground black pepper and grill them over direct heat until grill marks form. Season the other side of the patties and flip. Brush the grilled side of the burger with a thin layer of BBQ sauce. Cook the burgers until they reach your desired doneness. 
  6. Feel free to toast the buns before assembling them by layering your favorite toppings, the caramelized onions, BBQ sauce, and drizzling with a heaping helping of the beer cheese. Don’t forget a glass of the beer you used and your favorite burger sides. 

Celebrate National Pretzel Day with homemade Pretzel Buns & Beer-Cheese Burgers! Try this unique BBQ recipe for a flavorful twist. Get grilling now and elevate your burger game for #NationalPretzelDay. Tell us how you build your burgers by sharing your hamburger recipes, ideas, and photos on our social pages like Facebook and TikTok, using the hashtags #NapoleonEats and #NapoleonGrill.

Happy Grilling!

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Bun Ingredients

Pour the dry ingredients and butter into a stand mixer then add the water

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Dough

Once raised, divide the dough into equal portions

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Grill1

After boiling, scoring, and salting, bake in a preheated BBQ

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Grill2

They look so delicious

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Ingredients2

Bring together everything you need for the burgers

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - patties

Form and rest the patties

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Grill3

Grill the onions in a preheated pan

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Grill4

Grill the burgers over direct heat

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Serve1

Serve, layered with your favorite toppings

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Serve2

Don't forget your favorite sides

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Serve3

Make a mess, and try the viral cheese drip

AndreaAlden
Andrea Alden

I used to be the Sultana of Sizzle, but you can call me Andrea. I have always been passionate about food. Even though I was majoring in Art and Graphic Design, I would frequently be found cooking for my friends and family.

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Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Bun Ingredients

Pour the dry ingredients and butter into a stand mixer then add the water

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Dough

Once raised, divide the dough into equal portions

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Grill1

After boiling, scoring, and salting, bake in a preheated BBQ

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Grill2

They look so delicious

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Ingredients2

Bring together everything you need for the burgers

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - patties

Form and rest the patties

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Grill3

Grill the onions in a preheated pan

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Grill4

Grill the burgers over direct heat

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Serve1

Serve, layered with your favorite toppings

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Serve2

Don't forget your favorite sides

Recipe Blog - Beer Burger Pretzel Bun - Serve3

Make a mess, and try the viral cheese drip

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