Chocolate covered pretzels are the perfect sweet and salty treat, with their sweet chocolate shell coating, the crunchy and salty pretzels. They’re a super easy homemade candy that is perfect for the holidays, or any occasion.
I love making homemade candies during the holidays and these chocolate covered pretzels are a favorite to add to the bunch! They’re so easy to make, yet they look and taste as good as ones you’d get from the store.
These chocolate covered pretzels are perfect for your holiday cookie trays! We all need a few easy (especially no bake that store well) treats to add to the trays along with the delicious ginger cookies, and snowball cookies you’re making! They add some fun color, flavor, and textures to the trays!
Why Make this Recipe?
- Quick and Easy – These homemade chocolate covered pretzels only need 2 ingredients, and just a few minutes time. The hardest part is waiting for the chocolate to set, but lucky for you – you can work on other things or read a cozy book while you’re waiting.
- Customizable – These pretzels can be jazzed up with a variety of toppings, such as sprinkles, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or toffee bits to suit your preferences. You can change the sprinkles for different holidays or occasions too.
- Sweet and Salty Flavor -The smooth, creamy chocolate pairs so nicely with the crunchy, and salty pretzels! The flavor combination is practically addictive!
Ingredients Needed
This is a quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need for this Chocolate Covered Pretzel Recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
- miniature pretzel twists – you can also use pretzel rods, or pretzels of different sizes and shapes
- chocolate chips, a chocolate bar, or candy melts – milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white will work, or a combination.
- sprinkles – try red, white and green for Christmas, or other color combinations for different holidays
How to make Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipe?
Step 1: Melt the chocolate. Place the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 20 second increments, stirring after each as much as you can, until the chocolate is melted. Stir until smooth. You can also melt the chocolate in a double boiler on the stove, this is my preferred method for melting the chocolate evenly. You’ll want to keep the water low in the pot so it doesn’t touch the double boiler, and heat over medium low. Stir the chocolate in the double boiler on top until totally melted. (Make sure not to get any water in the chocolate or it will cease).
Step 2: Dip the pretzels into the bowl of melted chocolate. Use a fork to lift the pretzel out of the chocolate and tap the fork against the side of the bowl several times to let the extra chocolate drip off back into the bowl. Carefully slide the pretzel off the fork onto parchment paper by tapping it, or using a toothpick to move it.
Step 3: Decorate. Top the pretzels with sprinkles, toffee, or other toppings while the chocolate is still wet. If you want to drizzle extra chocolate (or alternate the type of chocolate) let the pretzels set, then add additional melted chocolate to a small ziplock bag. Snip the corner off with scissors and drizzle the chocolate over the top in lines, over dripping. Remove excess when chocolate is set.
Step 4: Let the pretzels set. Let the pretzels sit at room temperature until the chocolate is set and hardened. I find that white chocolate sets in a few minutes, where chocolate chips can take a couple hours.
Tips and Tricks
- Add shortening – If using chocolate chips you can add 1 teaspoon of shortening to the chocolate chips when melting to help coat the pretzels more smoothly.
- Melt the chocolate slowly – You do not want to overheat your chocolate or you’ll end up with white spots on the chocolate when it sets. It’ll still taste delicious, but it won’t look nearly as nice. Only microwave the chocolate as much as you need, remembering to stir for a good 30 seconds between each addition to let the chocolate continue melting in its own heat. (If you’re using a double boiler, heat to medium low to prevent the chocolate from getting too hot too fast.)
- Dipping Pretzel Rods – If you want to dip pretzel rods, melt the chocolate in a tall glass (make sure it is microwave safe) before dipping. Dip the rods about half way into the melted chocolate, then tap off the excess and place them on parchment to dry as you would with the twists.
Storage Instructions
Store the pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. They can also be stored in the fridge for the same amount of time if your house is warm.
These chocolate covered pretzels are so fun, and so tasty! I love making them all year long as a crunchy snack to keep on hand – and I especially love making them for the holidays!
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Ingredients
- 12 oz Chocolate chips, candy melts, or chopped chocolate bar (Milk, Dark, Semi-Sweet, White, etc.)
- 60 Miniature Pretzel Twists
- 1/4 cup Non Pareil Sprinkles
Instructions
For Melting in the Microwave:
- Add the chocolate to a medium sized microwave safe bowl. Melt for 30 seconds. Stir as much as you can.
- Melt in additional 20 second increments, stirring for about 30 seconds after each until you can stir the chocolate smooth.
For Melting the Chocolate in a Double Boiler:
- Fill a small saucepan with 1 to 2 inches of water.
- Place a dry bowl, or double boiler over the top of the pan. The bowl should touch the edges of the sauce pan to create a seal so no water or steam comes out.
- Make sure no water is touching the bottom of the pan by lifting it out and checking that it is dry, remove some water if it is wet.
- Turn the stove to medium heat and add the chocolate to the top bowl. Stir the chocolate often as it melts until it is totally melted and smooth.
For Dipping the Pretzels:
- Drop one pretzel at a time into the melted chocolate.
- Lift the fully coated pretzel out of the chocolate with a fork. Tap the edge of the fork against the side of the bowl to let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl.
- Carefully slide the pretzel off the fork onto parchment paper. A toothpick can help if needed.
- Sprinkle the pretzel with sprinkles, or other toppings if desired.
- Let the pretzels sit until the chocolate is set.
Notes
- Add shortening – If using chocolate chips you can add 1 teaspoon of shortening to the chocolate chips when melting to help coat the pretzels more smoothly.
- Melt the chocolate slowly – You do not want to overheat your chocolate or you’ll end up with white spots on the chocolate when it sets. It’ll still taste delicious, but it won’t look nearly as nice. Only microwave the chocolate as much as you need, remembering to stir for a good 30 seconds between each addition to let the chocolate continue melting in its own heat. (If you’re using a double boiler, heat to medium low to prevent the chocolate from getting too hot too fast.)
- Dipping Pretzel Rods – If you want to dip pretzel rods, melt the chocolate in a tall glass (make sure it is microwave safe) before dipping. Dip the rods about half way into the melted chocolate, then tap off the excess and place them on parchment to dry as you would with the twists.
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