Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipe

If you’re looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing treat that’s equal parts salty and sweet, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipe is simple to make and absolutely addictive—perfect for sharing or indulging all by yourself. Trust me, once you try this combo of crunchy pretzels dipped in smooth chocolate and topped with colorful sprinkles, you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe again and again.

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Simple Ingredients: Only a handful of pantry staples are needed to make an impressive treat.
  • Customizable Flavors: Use milk, white, dark chocolate, or candy melts to suit your preference.
  • Fun and Versatile: Perfect for holidays, parties, or just a fun kitchen project.
  • No Baking Required: This easy dipping method means no oven time and quick results.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipe shines because it balances sweet and salty with a satisfying crunch. Choosing the right chocolate and sprinkles can really take it from good to memorable, so here’s a little insider info on each ingredient.

Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Easy Pretzel Dips, Salty and Sweet Treats, Homemade Chocolate Pretzels, Holiday Snack Ideas - Flat lay of a handful of miniature pretzel twists with golden brown texture, several long light brown pretzel rods, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth milk chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl holding colorful round sprinkles, and a small white ceramic bowl containing a chunk of yellowish shortening, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997
  • Miniature pretzel twists or pretzel rods: Their saltiness contrasts perfectly with the sweet chocolate, and using two shapes lets you mix things up visually.
  • Chocolate chips or candy melts: I prefer candy melts for their smooth melting properties and variety of colors, but good-quality chocolate chips work beautifully too—just add a bit of shortening for silky texture.
  • Shortening: Essential only when melting chocolate chips to keep them fluid and glossy; skip if you use candy melts.
  • Sprinkles: These add flair and fun—choose seasonal colors or themes to match the occasion perfectly.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this recipe depending on the season or who I’m gifting to. You can easily customize your chocolate covered pretzels by playing with chocolate types and sprinkle styles—plus I’ll share some fun add-ons that make these feel extra special.

  • White Chocolate & Peppermint: One winter, I dipped in white chocolate and used crushed candy canes instead of sprinkles—total holiday hit!
  • Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt: For a more grown-up flavor, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top right after dipping.
  • Nut Allergies: This recipe is naturally nut-free, just double check sprinkles if serving sensitive guests.
  • Colored Candy Melts: Great for birthdays or themed parties—no need to add sprinkles unless you want to!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipe

Step 1: Melt Your Chocolate With Care

Start by placing your chocolate chips or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. If you’re using chocolate chips, add a tablespoon of shortening to help it melt smoothly and prevent seizing. Microwave the mixture in 30-second bursts, stirring well between each, until it’s silky and smooth. Don’t rush or overheat, or you’ll risk burning the chocolate—stirring patiently really is key here.

Step 2: Dip Your Pretzels

If you’re using pretzel rods, pour the melted chocolate into a tall glass—this makes dipping way easier and minimizes mess. Dip each rod about halfway, then gently tap it against the inside of the glass to shake off any excess chocolate. For pretzel twists, use a fork to dip them, then tap the fork to get rid of drips and slide the pretzel off with a toothpick onto parchment paper.

Step 3: Decorate and Dry

Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle your chosen toppings over the pretzels. This is your chance to get creative—mix colors, add edible glitter, or stick to classic rainbow sprinkles. Let everything sit on parchment paper at room temperature until fully dry. Patience here pays off because the chocolate needs to harden for that satisfying snap.

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Tips from My Kitchen

  • Use Good-Quality Chocolate: It really makes a difference in texture and flavor—don’t skimp here.
  • Work in Small Batches: Chocolate hardens fast; melting too much at once can waste it if it cools before you dip everything.
  • Let Pretzels Reach Room Temp: Warm pretzels can cause the chocolate to slip, so make sure they’re not cold or damp before dipping.
  • Avoid Refrigeration: Refrigerating can cause chocolate to bloom (white spots); drying at room temperature works best and keeps them shiny.

How to Serve Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipe

Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Easy Pretzel Dips, Salty and Sweet Treats, Homemade Chocolate Pretzels, Holiday Snack Ideas - A white plate filled with two types of pretzels and pretzel sticks. One type of pretzel is coated in smooth white chocolate with red, green, and white round sprinkles scattered evenly. The other type is coated in dark chocolate with the same colored round sprinkles. Alongside the pretzels, there are six pretzel sticks dipped partially in white or dark chocolate, decorated with red, green, white round and long sprinkles, and lightly sprinkled golden sugar crystals on the pretzels' light brown exposed parts. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with some pine green branches visible at the bottom right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

When I serve these pretzels, I like to keep it simple and colorful with a generous sprinkle of rainbow nonpareils or chocolate jimmies. If it’s a holiday, like Christmas or Halloween, I switch to themed sprinkles—red and green for Christmas, or orange and black for Halloween—and it really jazzes up the presentation.

Side Dishes

These pretzels go great with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate as a sweet snack. For a party, I love pairing them with fresh fruit platters or cheese boards because the salty-sweet contrast plays beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I once arranged these on a tiered dessert stand, alternating pretzel rods and twists for visual interest. Wrapping individual pretzels in cellophane with a colorful ribbon makes for charming gifts, too! I also enjoy placing them in mason jars labeled by flavor—like “Dark Chocolate Sea Salt”—for a cute and approachable presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover chocolate covered pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature—no need to refrigerate! They stay crisp and fresh for up to two weeks, which makes them perfect for making ahead of time before events or gift-giving.

Freezing

You can freeze these treats if you want to stash some away for later. Just layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. When ready, thaw them at room temperature; the texture holds up surprisingly well, and the chocolate won’t lose its snap.

Reheating

These are best enjoyed straight from storage—there’s no need to reheat. If you prefer your chocolate slightly melty, a quick few seconds in the microwave works, but watch closely so you don’t end up with a chocolate puddle.

FAQs

  1. Can I use any type of chocolate for this recipe?

    Absolutely! You can use milk, white, or dark chocolate chips or candy melts. Just keep in mind that chocolate chips need a little shortening to melt smoothly, while candy melts are designed to melt perfectly on their own.

  2. How do I prevent the chocolate from cracking after it dries?

    To avoid cracks, let your pretzels dry at room temperature instead of refrigerating them. Cooling too quickly can cause the chocolate to contract and crack. Patience is your friend with this recipe!

  3. Can I make these in advance for a party?

    Yes! Chocolate covered pretzels store well in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Making them a day or two before your event is actually a great idea to save time on party day.

  4. What are your favorite sprinkles to use?

    I love a mix of pastel nonpareils for spring or colorful jimmies anytime. For holidays, themed sprinkles or edible glitter add a festive touch that guests always notice.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipe is one of those delightful little kitchen projects that feels fancy but is so simple you’ll want to make it again and again. I remember making a batch last Christmas while chatting with friends, and the smiles we all shared over this salty-sweet treat were priceless. Whether you stick to the basic recipe or add your own spin, you really can’t go wrong here—so grab your pretzels and chocolate and have some fun dipping!

Print
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Chocolate Covered Pretzels Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 16 reviews
  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 50 servings
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This recipe for Chocolate Covered Pretzels is a delightful and easy treat that combines salty pretzels with smooth, melted chocolate and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for snacks, parties, or holiday celebrations, these pretzels can be made using miniature pretzel twists or pretzel rods, dipped in milk, white, or dark chocolate, and customized with your choice of sprinkles.


Ingredients

Chocolate Coating

  • 12 ounces chocolate chips or candy melts (milk, white, dark, or any combination)
  • 1 tablespoon shortening (only if using chocolate chips)

Pretzels & Toppings

  • 50 miniature pretzel twists or 24 pretzel rods
  • 1/2 cup sprinkles


Instructions

  1. Prepare Chocolate: Place the chocolate chips or candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl. If using chocolate chips, add 1 tablespoon of shortening to help with melting. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
  2. Dip Pretzels: For pretzel rods, pour melted chocolate into a tall glass and dip each rod halfway, then tap against the glass to remove excess chocolate.
  3. Coat with Sprinkles: After dipping pretzel rods, coat them with sprinkles and place on parchment paper to dry. For pretzel twists, use a fork to dip each pretzel fully in chocolate, tap fork against bowl to remove excess chocolate, and slide pretzel off fork onto parchment using a toothpick, then sprinkle with toppings.
  4. Dry and Serve: Let the chocolate-covered pretzels dry completely at room temperature. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

  • You can use pretzel twists, pretzel rods, or a combination for variety.
  • Melt candy melts in a tall glass for easier dipping of pretzel rods.
  • Choose any sprinkles you like to match holidays or themes.
  • Use shortening only with chocolate chips to improve melting and texture; it’s not needed with candy melts.
  • Store pretzels in a cool, dry place to maintain crispness.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 pretzel
  • Calories: 80 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1.2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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