Sweet, salty, and ridiculously addictive—Milk Chocolate Covered Pretzels are the ultimate snack you didn’t know you needed. They’re easy to make, totally customizable with fun toppings, and perfect for any occasion, from holiday treats to everyday snacking!
How do you feel about Valentine’s Day? Do you look at it as just another day? Or do you use it as an excuse to shower your lover with flowers, chocolate, gifts, and compliments?! Or do you despise it altogether?!
Personally, I have mixed feelings about the day. I mean, I don’t believe we need a special day marked on a calendar to profess our undying love for our partners. That’s something we should be doing everyday they don’t make it a point to annoy us. Am I right?! But who am I to turn down an excuse to eat chocolate, get some pretty flowers, and maybe sneak in a nap while they do the dishes for once?
When I was a bit younger, I actually hated both flowers and chocolate. I know, what kind of girl am I?! Oh, and you may as well add jewelry to that list, too. I still, to this day, don’t wear it. But as I grew, apparently so did my love for chocolate and flowers. Weird, huh?! So if you tell me there’s a day where being the recipient of either of those things is basically mandatory, I’m all for it!
Ok, ok. So although it is pretty dang great every now and then, I know it’s not alllllll about being spoiled. Sometimes, it’s you that has to do the spoilin’. You feel me? So, let’s take these milk chocolate covered pretzels and turn them into the easiest, most delicious way to show someone you care (even if that someone is you!).
Who needs flowers or expensive gifts when these chocolate-covered pretzels are just a few simple steps away from impressing anyone (even your Valentine)?
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZELS
Chocolate covered pretzels are that perfect combo of sweet and salty that keeps you coming back for just one more (spoiler: it’s never just one). They’re ridiculously easy to make, require only a handful of ingredients, and are completely customizable—think festive sprinkles for the holidays, crushed candy for a fun twist, or a drizzle of white chocolate to make them extra fancy. Whether you’re making them for a party, gift bags, or just to snack on while binge-watching your favourite show, you can never go wrong with milk chocolate covered pretzels! Let’s get into the details of the exact ingredients you’ll need to make them down below:
- Pretzels: You can use classic mini pretzels, large pretzels, pretzel rods, or even pretzel twists. Mini pretzels are great for bite-sized snacking, while rods give that classic chocolate-dipped look.
- Milk Chocolate Chips or Melting Wafers: Go for good-quality milk chocolate for the best flavour. However, you can use dark chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or white chocolate instead, if you prefer. Chocolate chips work well, but melting wafers make for a smoother, shinier finish. PRO TIP: If you want an extra creamy texture and glossy finish, add a little coconut oil or shortening.
- Toppings (optional, but highly encouraged!): This is where the fun begins! Try festive sprinkles for holidays, crushed candy canes for a peppermint twist, chopped nuts for extra crunch, sea salt for a gourmet touch, white or dark chocolate drizzle for that fancy bakery finish, or crushed m&ms for a colourful/vibrant treat!
HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZELS (KEY TIPS)
You can find full instructions for how to make these milk chocolate covered pretzels in the recipe card down below, but here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:
- Use high-quality chocolate. The better the chocolate, the better the flavour! Opt for high-quality milk chocolate chips or melting wafers. Avoid cheap chocolate, which can have a waxy texture and won’t melt as smoothly.
- Melt the chocolate slowly. Microwave the chocolate in 20–30 second intervals, stirring between each. This prevents it from burning and ensures a smooth, even melt. If using a double boiler, keep the heat low to avoid overheating.
- Add coconut oil for a glossy finish. A little coconut oil or shortening (about 1 tablespoon per cup of chocolate) helps thin the chocolate and gives the pretzels a professional-looking shine.
- Work quickly. Once the chocolate is melted, dip your pretzels quickly before it starts to cool and thicken. If it does, just reheat for a few seconds.
- Use a fork or dipping tool. For easy dipping, use a fork or a candy dipping tool to fully coat the pretzels, then tap gently to remove excess chocolate. If dipping pretzel rods, use a spoon to help coat evenly.
- Let the excess chocolate drip off. After dipping, gently tap the pretzel against the side of the bowl to let the excess chocolate drip off. This helps prevent messy pools of chocolate and ensures a smooth, even coating!
- Line your baking sheet. Place dipped pretzels on a parchment or wax paper-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking. This also makes cleanup a breeze!
- Add toppings before the chocolate sets. Sprinkle on crushed candy, nuts, or festive decorations while the chocolate is still wet so they stick properly. If adding a drizzle of another chocolate, wait until the first layer is set before doing so.
- Chill for faster setting. For quicker results, pop the tray in the fridge for 15–20 minutes to set the chocolate completely. Avoid freezing, as this can cause condensation and make the chocolate look dull.
- Store properly. Keep your chocolate covered pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If storing in the fridge, let them sit out for a few minutes before eating to prevent condensation.
- Customize for any occasion! Switch up the toppings to match the season—red and green sprinkles for Christmas, pastel drizzle for Easter, crushed graham crackers for a s’mores twist. The possibilities are endless!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The best way to dip pretzel rods in chocolate is to first melt your chocolate until it’s smooth and glossy. You can use a microwave or a double boiler, whichever you prefer. Once the chocolate is ready, hold the pretzel rod by one end and dip it into the melted chocolate, making sure to coat it evenly about halfway or more, depending on your preference. To ensure a smooth coating, gently tap the pretzel rod on the side of the bowl to let any excess chocolate drip off. For a clean finish, you can also use a spoon to help guide the chocolate around the pretzel. Then, place the dipped pretzel rod on a parchment-lined tray to set. Let the chocolate firm up at room temperature or speed up the process by popping them in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
Chocolate covered pretzels aren’t exactly what you’d call a “healthy” snack, but they do offer a fun balance of sweet and salty. While pretzels themselves are typically low in fat, they’re also high in simple carbohydrates and can cause a quick sugar spike. The chocolate adds some antioxidants (especially if you go for dark chocolate), but also brings in extra sugar and fat.
That said, they can be a satisfying treat when eaten in moderation, offering a little indulgence without being too over-the-top. If you want to make them a bit healthier, you could opt for dark chocolate, skip the toppings, or even try making them with whole grain pretzels for a bit more fiber.
You can make chocolate covered pretzels up to two weeks in advance, as long as they’re stored properly. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool, dry place to prevent the chocolate from becoming sticky or developing a white, chalky coating (also known as chocolate bloom). If you’re in a warmer climate, you can refrigerate them, but let them come to room temperature before serving to avoid condensation. For the freshest taste and best texture, aim to make them within a week of when you plan to enjoy them!
Yes, chocolate covered pretzels can get soggy in the fridge, especially if they’re stored improperly. The cold temperature can cause condensation to form on the chocolate, making it wet and soft, which can affect both the texture and the appearance. If you do need to store them in the fridge—perhaps due to warmer weather—make sure they’re kept in an airtight container to minimize moisture exposure. It’s also a good idea to let them come to room temperature before eating to avoid any condensation that might form on the surface.
LOVE CHOCOLATE COVERED TREATS? Try my easy peasy white chocolate covered strawberries next!
MORE DELICIOUS SWEET TREATS
FUDGY PALEO CHOCOLATE BROWNIES
LOVE THIS RECIPE? PIN IT FOR LATER!
MILK CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZELS
Ingredients
- 1 (10-12 oz.) bag Pretzels (i.e. rods, mini pretzels, large pretzels)
- 2 cups Milk Chocolate Chips or Melting Wafers
- 1 tbsp Coconut Oil or Shortening (optional, for smoother chocolate)
- Optional Assorted Toppings (i.e. sprinkles, crushed nuts, sea salt, mini M&Ms, etc.)
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. Set aside.
- Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20–30 second increments, stirring well between each, until the chocolate is smooth and fully melted. (Add the coconut oil or shortening for a silkier texture if desired.) You can also use a double boiler method to melt the chocolate instead, if you prefer.
- Dip each pretzel rod or mini pretzel halfway (or fully!) into the melted chocolate, using a spoon to help coat if needed. Allow excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl.
- Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle your desired toppings over the chocolate-dipped pretzels. Get creative—sweet, salty, or both!
- Let the pretzels rest at room temperature on the parchment lined baking sheet until the chocolate hardens (about 1 hour). For faster results, pop them in the fridge for 15–20 minutes.
- Once the chocolate is set, store the pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week (if they last that long!).
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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