Creamy, cheesy, and delicious! This gluten free cheese sauce is perfect to pair with gluten-free soft pretzels.

It’s the perfect appetizer for parties, football games, family game night, etc!

pretzels in a serving dish with cheese sauce in the middle


 

My favorite soft pretzels just aren’t complete without a creamy sauce to go with them!

While I love dipping soft pretzels in mustard, cinnamon sugar, and other dips, this gluten free cheese sauce is my absolute favorite.

It’s the real deal, and naturally gluten-free!

Made with simple ingredients and freshly grated cheese, the cheese dip + soft pretzel bites will soon one of your favorite snacks. Kids love it too! It’s one of the best comfort foods ever!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love this Great Recipe

  • Made with simple ingredients
  • Creamy and smooth sauce
  • Great flavor
  • Naturally gluten-free

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this easy cheese sauce recipe:

cheese sauce ingredients on a counter top
  • Sharp cheddar: I like using sharp cheddar to add a stronger flavor of cheesy goodness to this delicious recipe, but you could use mild cheddar or medium cheddar too, if you prefer. You could also use a combination of cheddar cheeses.
  • Monterey Jack cheese: Monterey Jack cheese is creamy and delicious main ingredient for this cheese dip recipe. You could also use Swiss cheese, Colby Jack, or a variety of cheeses.
  • Chicken stock: A little broth is a key ingredient that adds flavor and creates a smooth consistency.
  • Hot sauce: I love adding a dash of hot sauce to deepen the flavor and give it a little kick (it’s not too spicy). Add more to the dip if you like spice!
  • Salt and spices: Paprika and salt enhance the flavor to make the best gluten-free cheese sauce.
  • Cornstarch: Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free and helps to thicken this delicious gluten-free recipe.

Serve up this cheese dip with gluten-free pretzels, bread cubes, or anything you might dip in cheese fondue! It’s perfect for a tasty after-school snack, football season, holiday appetizer, a family game night, or at a party.

Trust me, this easy gluten-free cheese sauce recipe is a versatile, delicious snack the whole family will go crazy for. It’s SO much better than nacho cheese sauce from local grocery stores. Your taste buds will be happy!

You also might like this article on is velveeta gluten-free?

How to Make this Recipe

Roux in a sauce pan, and shredded cheeses in a bag
  • In a medium or small saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a simmer over medium-low heat. 
  • Place the shredded cheese and cornstarch in a Ziploc bag and toss to combine. 
cheese sauce in a sauce pan, and spices added to the cheese sauce
  • Add the cheese to the hot simmering chicken stock, a little bit at a time while stirring constantly. Let the cheese melt before adding the next handful.
  • Once all the cheese is melted, stir in the hot sauce, paprika and season the cheddar sauce with salt to taste.
  • Keep the cheese sauce warm over low heat (don’t let it simmer or boil) or in a small crockpot or fondue pot.

Storage Instructions

To make ahead: This delicious gluten-free cheese sauce can be made in advance and refrigerated until you’re ready to use it. Heat over low heat, if needed, adding a few tablespoons of milk or stock to thin if needed.

To store: Store this delicious cheese sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Reheat over low heat. If needed, add a few tablespoons of milk or stock to thin it out.

a hand dipping a pretzel in cheese sauce

FAQs

What is good to dip pretzels in?

I love dipping soft pretzels in this homemade cheese dip, made from sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack cheese, chicken stock, and more.

How do you make cheddar cheese dip?

My homemade cheese sauce is made by shredding cheese and adding it to a bag with Cornstarch. Once the cheese is coated in the cornstarch, you add it to a simmering pot of chicken stock, then flavor it with spices.

How do you thicken cheese sauce?

I like using cornstarch to thicken my favorite gluten free cheese sauce. It’s naturally gluten-free!

Expert Tips & Tricks

  • Don’t use pre-shredded cheese in this recipe! This type of cheese often contains additives that change the consistency when you melt the cheese. The best way to get creamy, smooth cheese dip is by using a block of cheese and grating it on your own.
  • Don’t boil the cheese dip. Keep this cheese sauce on a very low flame or very low heat. If you let the cheese dip simmer or boil, it will change the consistency of the cheese sauce. You can keep the cheese warm, but don’t let reach a simmer.
  • Pair with other side dishes. This cheese sauce also tastes great with tortilla chips, cheesy broccoli, boiled potatoes, or even for gluten free macaroni. There are lots of great options. Get creative with how you use it!
  • Crank up the heat. If you love spice, consider adding extra hot sauce or cayenne pepper to crank up the heat. You could also add garlic powder for added flavor.
A close-up photo of pretzel cheese sauce

More Gluten-Free Appetizers

I hope you love this easy cheese sauce recipe as much as we do! If you try this cheese dip, be sure to leave me a comment/rating below. I’d love to hear from you!

Pretzel bites with cheese sauce in a dish
5 from 3 votes

Gluten-Free Cheese Sauce

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Creamy, cheesy, and delicious! This gluten-free cheese sauce is perfect to pair with gluten-free soft pretzels.
It’s the perfect appetizer for parties, football games, family game night, etc!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (don’t use pre-shredded) 171 grams
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (don’t use pre-shredded) 114 grams
  • ½-1 teaspoon hot sauce optional
  • Dash of paprika
  • Salt to taste

Instructions 

  • In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken stock to a simmer.
  • Place the shredded cheese and cornstarch in a ziploc bag and toss to combine.
  • Add the cheese to the hot simmering chicken stock, one small handful at a time while stirring constantly. Let the cheese melt before adding the next handful.
  • Once all the cheese is melted, stir in the hot sauce, paprika and season with salt to taste.
  • Keep the cheese sauce warm over low heat (don’t let it simmer or boil) or in a small crockpot or fondue pot.

Notes

RECIPE NOTES
  • Don’t use pre-shredded cheese in this recipe! This type of cheese often contains additives that change the consistency when you melt the cheese. The best way to get creamy, smooth cheese dip is by using a block of cheese and grating it on your own.
  • Don’t boil the cheese dip. Keep this gluten-free cheese sauce on a very low flame or very low heat. If you let the cheese dip simmer or boil, it will change the consistency of the gluten-free cheese sauce. You can keep the cheese warm, but don’t let reach a simmer.
  • Pair with other side dishes. This gluten-free cheese sauce also tastes great with tortilla chips, cheesy broccoli, boiled potatoes, or even for gluten free macaroni. There are lots of great options. Get creative with how you use it!
  • Crank up the heat. If you love spice, consider adding extra hot sauce or cayenne pepper to crank up the heat. You could also add garlic powder for added flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 251mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 0.01g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 201mg | Iron: 0.1mg

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Hi, I’m Erin!

BS Food Science,

MS Nutrition

I believe you can make amazing, gluten-free food with everyday ingredients that everyone will enjoy. I’m here to share my tried-and-true recipes with you!

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