German-Style Pretzel Chip Nachos with bratwurst and beer cheese are a delicious, crunchy, cheesy, meaty treat that can be served as an appetizer or main course!
Being of German descent, I enjoy experimenting with the flavors I associate with Germany. If you feel the same, I urge you to check out some of my other German-inspired recipes, as I know you'll love them just as much as I do: Oktoberfest Crescent Wrapped Bratwurst Bite Appetizers, German Onion Soup, Layered German Spaetzle Casserole, Ground Beef Sauerbraten Goulash, and German Bee Sting Cake.
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Table of Contents Found Here
- The ingredient list:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- German nacho add-in and substitution suggestions:
- Can raw bratwurst be added to these nachos?
- What other German sausages can be used for this recipe?
- Can pretzel chip nachos be made in advance?
- Will using non-alcoholic beer work for this beer cheese sauce?
- What can be used in place of beer for this cheese sauce?
- Can these nachos be made in an air fryer?
- Is sauerkraut a necessary ingredient for making these nachos?
- How many people does this pretzel chip nachos recipe serve?
- Do pretzel chip nachos freeze well?
- Additional bratwurst recipes for you:
- Printable Recipe Card
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
The ingredient list:
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- baking sheet
- aluminum foil (optional)
- cheese grater (optional)
- large skillet
- slotted spatula
- measuring cups and spoons
- whisk
- wooden spoon or silicone spoon or spatula
German nacho add-in and substitution suggestions:
Add-ins:
Mushrooms would be a delicious addition, and they would also add great meaty flavor. If adding mushrooms, you can lightly sauté them in the skillet with the bratwurst for 2-3 minutes before removing the sausage to cool. Or you can add sliced mushrooms, raw.
Adding a layer of caramelized onions would be an outstanding addition, as would adding chopped scallions (for flavor and color) to the nachos right before serving, or you can add French-fried onions for extra flavor and crunch.
Substitution suggestions:
Replacing the beer with apple cider is a great alternative; alternatively, feel free to swap it with non-alcoholic beer if you prefer.
A dry white wine would also make an acceptable alternative to the beer, if desired.
Gruyere cheese can be replaced with your favorite variety of Swiss cheese, or other semi-hard cheese that melts well. Gouda, Mozzarella, or Monterey Jack are delicious alternatives.
Can raw bratwurst be added to these nachos?
No!
You must cook and crumble the bratwurst thoroughly before adding them as a topping to these nachos.
Failure to do so will result in improperly cooked or potentially raw sausage, which can pose a health hazard.
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What other German sausages can be used for this recipe?
As long as the sausages are already precooked, you can use any sausage you prefer.
Frankfurters (precooked), Knockwurst, and Weisswurst come to mind.
Learn about 6 types of popular German sausages.
Can pretzel chip nachos be made in advance?
You can certainly cook, brown, and crumble the bratwurst and drain the sauerkraut in advance. Keep those two items in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before assembling the German nachos.
However, when layering all the ingredients and adding the beer cheese sauce, I recommend doing so shortly before serving, so the pretzel chips won't get soggy.
Will using non-alcoholic beer work for this beer cheese sauce?
Yes, it will. You can also use a splash of dry white wine in place of the beer if needed.
What can be used in place of beer for this cheese sauce?
A splash of dry white wine would make a very suitable substitution for the beer, if desired.
Alternatively, if you'd like to keep these completely alcohol-free, as stated above, you can use non-alcoholic beer or feel free to use apple cider in place of the beer, as it will give the cheese a lightly sweet and floral flavor.
Can these nachos be made in an air fryer?
Sure thing!
You may need to make the nachos in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of servings you plan to make.
If making German pretzel nachos in an air fryer, I recommend setting the air fryer temperature to 325°F and cooking them for 7-10 minutes (checking on them frequently) until the cheese is gooey and lightly browned.
Is sauerkraut a necessary ingredient for making these nachos?
No, but I urge you to keep it in the recipe. The slightly sweet, slightly acidic punch the sauerkraut adds balances the heaviness of the beer cheese sauce, making these nachos a flavor powerhouse!
How many people does this pretzel chip nachos recipe serve?
It depends on whether you're serving them as a main course or as an appetizer.
As written, this serves six people as a main course.
As an appetizer (along with other items on a buffet table), it will serve many more.
Do pretzel chip nachos freeze well?
No.
The freezing and thawing process will make the pretzel chips soggy, and nobody wants soggy nachos!
Additional bratwurst recipes for you:
- Bratwurst and Gravy Baked Potato (aka bangers and baked)
- Pan Seared Bratwurst in Pumpkin Curry Sauce
- Upside Down Bratwurst and Cheese Pastry Appetizers
- Beer Braised Bratwurst with Horseradish and Dill
- Beer-Battered Bratwurst on a Stick (aka corn-wurst)
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Printable Recipe Card
German-Style Pretzel Chip Nachos
Equipment
- parchment paper optional
- aluminum foil optional
- box grater optional
- paring knife for removing the sausage casings
- silicone spoon spatula optional
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 package (5 each) uncooked bratwurst casings removed
- ½ cup sauerkraut drained well
- 1 container (12 ounces) Swiss almond cheese spread
- ¼ cup beer your favorite variety
- 4½ ounces shredded Gruyere cheese
- 2 tablespoons horseradish mustard
- 1 bag (party-size) pretzel chips
- 1 cup chopped scallions not shown
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F (145-degrees C).
- Line the rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Spread the pretzel chips in an even layer onto the baking sheet and set aside.
- Fully cook, brown, and crumble the bratwurst sausage in the skillet with avocado oil over medium/high heat. Once cooked, drain the sausage and set aside to cool.
- While the sausage is cooling, heat the Swiss almond spread in the saucepan over medium/low heat until the cheese is fluid. Add the mustard, grated Gruyere cheese, and beer. Stir (or whisk) well to melt the Gruyere cheese and combine all the flavors. Cool the cheese sauce slightly.
- Pour approximately ¾ cup of beer cheese sauce evenly over the layer of pretzel chips.Top the cheesy chips evenly with the drained sauerkraut, and the cooked and crumbled bratwurst. Pour the remaining beer cheese sauce liberally over the nachos and bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Top the nachos with chopped scallions (not shown.) Serve hot and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you'll enjoy making and eating these German-inspired appetizer recipe using pretzel chips as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
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