The only thing better than a pretzel? A pretzel paired with the perfect dip.

Whether you like plain old mustard for pretzels or something a bit more adventurous, you’ve got plenty of options for pretzel dips, any of which can level up your spread and turn a good snack into a great one.

From spicy and tangy to creamy and sweet, here are some of our favorite pretzel dips, including a homemade pretzel mustard recipe that will have you ditching the bottled stuff once and for all. (And why not make pretzels from scratch, too, while you’re at it?)

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Pretzel Dip Recipes

There is certainly no shortage of delicious pretzel dips. We’re sharing our favorites, with 10 pretzel dip recipes that are worth making again and again.

spinach dip
Source: Unsplash
If you can dream it, you can (probably) dip a pretzel in it.

Traditional Pretzel Mustard

You’re only five ingredients away from making this epic mustard dip, which we promise will become your new go-to when pretzels are on the menu. Just stir together ¼ cup of mayonnaise with ¼ cup of yellow or Dijon mustard, then add in two tablespoons of minced onion, one tablespoon of ranch seasoning mix, and two and a quarter teaspoons of horseradish. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, then get ready to dip (and dip, and dip, and dip…).

Spicy Mustard for Pretzels

If you like your pretzel mustard a little spicier, we recommend this spicy hot mustard that gets an added kick from Frank’s RedHot and cayenne pepper. Modify as needed to amp up the spice level to where you like it.  

Homemade Hummus

It’s super easy to whip up homemade hummus, and the result is a creamy dip that’s far more flavorful than the packaged stuff you get from the store. And once you’ve got the basics down, you can mix it up and get super creative with your toppings. Roasted garlic, pine nuts, lemon, roasted red peppers, and olive tapenade are all tasty hummus toppings that pair expertly with both soft and hard pretzels.

Spinach Artichoke Pretzel Dip

What’s warm and gooey and a no-brainer for dipping pretzels in? Spinach artichoke dip, of course. There are a ton of variations, but we like this baked version that gets added creaminess from the addition of not one, not two, but three types of cheeses in addition to cream cheese and sour cream.

Want to get really extra? Combine your spinach artichoke dip ingredients and stuff them into some homemade pretzel dough, then shape and bake. You might never go back to plain pretzels again.

mustard dip
Source: Pixabay
A standout pretzel deserves a standout pretzel dip.

German Beer Cheese Dip (Obatzda)

Pretzels are a German staple, so it only makes sense to dip them in an equally iconic German dip. On the menu: obatzda, a cheesy spread made with ripe camembert, spices, and a couple tablespoons of good wheat beer. Chill for at least an hour in the fridge to let the dip set, then grab some German pretzels and enjoy.   

Dill Pickle Dip

If you want a dip that’s both quick and healthy, dill pickle dip is the way to go. Chopped dill pickles plus a bit of pickle juice bring a bunch of brightness to this dip, and they’re easy to swap out for other types of pickles if you want a different flavor profile. Bread and butter pickles or spicy pickle chips would be equally delish.  

Creamy Carrot Dip

This creamy carrot dip is bursting with Asian flavor thanks to white miso, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and mirin. And because its main ingredients are carrots and chickpeas, this is one dip that’s deceptively healthy despite tasting indulgent. Serve it with pretzels and crudité for a snack that doubles as a well-balanced meal.

Caramelized Onion Dip

Make a velvety caramelized onion dip for your pretzels, and just try to hold yourself back from eating the whole thing. (Just kidding—we firmly approve of finishing off this entire dip in one sitting.) The ingredients are incredibly simple, with the most complicated step being to caramelize your onions to perfection before adding them to the mix.

Hint: Resist the urge to babysit your caramelized onions. You don’t want to stir them too often since that can prevent you from getting them to that rich golden brown you’re looking for.

Sweet Cream Cheese Dip

We couldn’t create a list of pretzel dip ideas without including something sweet. And this sweet cream cheese dip is the stuff that dessert dreams are made of. If you want to go even sweeter, swirl in some caramel drizzle, or mix in fresh chopped strawberries or pineapple for a fruity twist.

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Written by:

Laura Mueller