What type of cheese works best for the sparklers?

Sharp cheddar cheese cubes are ideal for their strong flavor and firm texture, which hold well on pretzel sticks.

Can I add other ingredients to the skewers?

Yes, adding seedless grapes or cherry tomato halves adds color and fresh bursts of flavor.

Assemble the sparklers just before serving to maintain pretzel crispness and avoid sogginess.

Lightly rolling cheese cubes in chopped chives, parsley, poppy seeds, or toasted sesame seeds gives added aroma and texture.

Honey mustard or a spicy dip complement the sharp cheddar and crunchy pretzels nicely.

A festive, bite-sized party snack featuring sharp cheddar cheese cubes skewered on crispy pretzel sticks, perfect for ringing in the New Year.

This is a go-to appetizer for my holiday parties and always a crowd-pleaser.

Cheese: 200 g (about 7 oz) sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 2 cm (¾-inch) cubes
Garnishes: 2 tbsp chopped chives or fresh parsley (optional), 1 tbsp poppy seeds or toasted sesame seeds (optional)
Crunchy Base: 24 thin pretzel sticks
Optional Additions: 24 seedless red or green grapes, 24 cherry tomato halves

Step 1:: Arrange the cheddar cheese cubes on a plate or tray.
Step 2:: If desired, roll or sprinkle the tops of some cheese cubes with chopped chives, parsley, poppy seeds, or sesame seeds for variety.
Step 3:: Skewer each cheddar cube onto one end of a pretzel stick to resemble a sparkler.
Step 4:: For extra color and flavor, add a grape or cherry tomato half to the pretzel before adding the cheese cube.
Step 5:: Stand the sparklers upright on a serving platter for a festive display. Serve immediately.

My family loves gathering around the platter to grab these fun sparklers every New Year's Eve.

Sharp knife, cutting board, serving platter

Contains milk and wheat. Sesame seeds may be an allergen if used. Always check labels for possible cross-contamination.

Each sparkler has approximately 55 calories, 3.6 g total fat, 3.5 g carbohydrates, and 2.8 g protein.

These sparklers add color and flavor to any party, perfect for quick snacking and festive fun.

→ What type of cheese works best for the sparklers?: Sharp cheddar cheese cubes are ideal for their strong flavor and firm texture, which hold well on pretzel sticks.
→ Can I add other ingredients to the skewers?: Yes, adding seedless grapes or cherry tomato halves adds color and fresh bursts of flavor.
→ How can I keep the pretzels crisp?: Assemble the sparklers just before serving to maintain pretzel crispness and avoid sogginess.
→ Are there seasoning options for the cheese cubes?: Lightly rolling cheese cubes in chopped chives, parsley, poppy seeds, or toasted sesame seeds gives added aroma and texture.
→ What dips pair well with these cheddar and pretzel sparklers?: Honey mustard or a spicy dip complement the sharp cheddar and crunchy pretzels nicely.