Irresistible Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Candies Recipe

Sweet & Salty Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Candies Recipe

Sweet and salty cravings collide with these irresistible chocolate peanut butter pretzel candies that promise pure indulgence.

Crunchy pretzels form the perfect base for a decadent treat.

Layers of creamy peanut butter meld seamlessly with rich chocolate coating.

Each bite delivers a symphony of textures that dance across your palate.

Homemade treats like these spark joy and create delightful memories.

Simple ingredients come together in minutes, making this recipe a true crowd-pleaser.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of these addictive little confections.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Candies: Why You’ll Love Them

  • Craft Sweet Sensation: These candies blend salty pretzels with rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter, creating an irresistible treat that satisfies multiple flavor cravings in one bite.
  • No-Bake Delight: Requiring zero oven time, this recipe offers a simple process perfect for novice cooks or anyone wanting a quick dessert without complex kitchen skills.
  • Kid-Friendly Cooking: Children can help roll balls, crush pretzels, and dip candies, making this a fun family activity that teaches basic cooking techniques while creating delicious memories.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Snack: Perfect for parties, potlucks, or game nights, these portable candies are crowd-pleasers that disappear quickly and appeal to both kids and adults with their sweet-salty combination.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Pretzel Candies

Base Ingredients:
  • Peanut Butter: A creamy and rich base that provides the main flavor and binding for the candies.
  • Pretzels: Crunchy snacks that add texture and a salty element to the sweet treats.
  • Powdered Sugar: Helps to sweeten and stabilize the peanut butter mixture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, sweet notes.
Coating Ingredients:
  • Chocolate Chips: Creates a smooth, rich chocolate shell for the candies.
  • Butter: Helps to melt and smooth out the chocolate for better coating.
Optional Garnish Ingredients:
  • Salt, Additional Crushed Pretzels: Can be sprinkled on top for extra crunch and flavor contrast.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Candies

Step 1: Blend Creamy Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, finely crushed pretzels, powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients create a smooth, uniform mixture that holds together easily.

Step 2: Shape Delightful Balls

Using your hands, roll the mixture into small, bite-sized spheres. Gently place each ball onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching each other.

Step 3: Chill and Set

Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and let the balls firm up for 20-30 minutes. This cooling process helps the candies maintain their shape during the chocolate dipping stage.

Step 4: Prepare Chocolate Coating

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips and butter. Heat in short 20-second intervals, stirring between each session to ensure smooth, even melting.

Continue until the chocolate is completely liquid and glossy.

Step 5: Chocolate Dipping Technique

Remove the chilled balls from the freezer.

Using a fork or dipping tool, carefully lower each ball into the melted chocolate. Gently twirl to ensure complete and even coverage, then tap off excess chocolate.

Step 6: Final Chilling

Return the chocolate-coated candies to the parchment-lined baking sheet. Place in the refrigerator or freezer until the chocolate shell hardens completely, approximately 15-20 minutes.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Remove the candies from the cold storage and arrange on a serving plate. These decadent treats are ready to be enjoyed immediately or stored in an airtight container for later indulgence.

Tips for Perfect Peanut Butter Pretzel Candies

  • Crush pretzels finely for a smoother texture and even distribution throughout the peanut butter mixture.
  • Use room temperature peanut butter to ensure easier mixing and better consistency of the candy balls.
  • Opt for high-quality dark or milk chocolate for a richer, more decadent coating that complements the salty pretzel crunch.
  • Keep candies refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week, allowing you to enjoy these treats multiple times.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap regular pretzels with gluten-free pretzels without compromising the delicious flavor profile.

Flavor Variations for Peanut Butter Pretzel Candies

  • Almond Butter Alternative: Replace peanut butter with almond butter for a different nutty flavor profile that adds subtle sweetness and works great for those with peanut allergies.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pretzels or replace pretzels with crushed rice cereal to create a celiac-friendly version of the candies that maintains the same crunchy texture.
  • Dark Chocolate Wellness Swap: Substitute milk chocolate with dark chocolate chips to reduce sugar content and increase antioxidant benefits, perfect for health-conscious snackers.
  • Coconut Crunch Adaptation: Mix shredded coconut into the peanut butter base and sprinkle coconut flakes on top of chocolate coating for tropical-inspired treat with added crunch and exotic flavor.

What Goes Well with Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Candies

  • Sweet Party Platter: Arrange candies on a decorative wooden board with fresh berries and mint leaves for elegant gatherings.
  • Game Night Treat: Stack candies in small paper cups for easy grabbing during movie or board game sessions, perfect for sharing.
  • Gifting Delight: Package candies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine, creating homemade edible gifts for friends and family.
  • Dessert Garnish: Crumble extra pretzels on top of the candies for added crunch and visual appeal, enhancing their texture and presentation.

Proper Storage for Pretzel Candies

  • Store homemade chocolate peanut butter pretzel candies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
  • Keep candies between layers of parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their beautiful shape.
  • Freeze candies for longer storage, lasting up to 3 months in a sealed freezer-safe container.
  • Thaw frozen candies in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours before serving, allowing them to slowly come to the perfect temperature without condensation.

FAQs

  • What ingredients do I need for this recipe?

You’ll need peanut butter, pretzels, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, chocolate chips, and butter.

  • Can I use a different type of chocolate for coating?

Yes, you can use milk, dark, or white chocolate depending on your preference.

  • How long will these candies stay fresh?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they’ll last up to a week.

  • Are these candies gluten-free?

Not in the original recipe, since pretzels contain gluten. Use gluten-free pretzels if you want a gluten-free version.

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Irresistible Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Candies Recipe

Irresistible Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Candies Recipe


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4.7 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Sweet chocolate peanut butter pretzel candies blend salty and rich flavors in a simple no-bake treat. Crunchy pretzels, creamy peanut butter, and smooth chocolate create a delightful snack you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 cups crushed pretzels

Binding Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Flavor Enhancer:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly blend peanut butter, pulverized pretzels, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl until the ingredients form a cohesive, uniform mixture.
  2. Craft small, uniform spheres from the blended mixture, carefully positioning each ball on a parchment-lined baking tray.
  3. Transfer the tray to the freezer and allow the balls to solidify for approximately 25 minutes, ensuring they maintain a firm, compact structure.
  4. Create a smooth chocolate coating by gently melting chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe container, stirring at 20-second intervals to prevent burning and achieve a glossy consistency.
  5. Delicately immerse each chilled peanut butter sphere into the molten chocolate, ensuring complete and even coverage using a dipping fork or utensil.
  6. Return the chocolate-enrobed candies to the parchment-lined tray, then place in the refrigerator or freezer to rapidly set the chocolate coating for 15-20 minutes.
  7. Once the chocolate has completely hardened, remove the candies and serve at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Chill the mixture thoroughly before forming balls to prevent sticking and ensure a neat, compact shape.
  • Use room temperature peanut butter for easier mixing and smoother texture.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap regular pretzels with gluten-free pretzels or crushed nuts like almonds.
  • Enhance chocolate coating by adding a pinch of sea salt or drizzling with white chocolate for extra visual appeal.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Freezing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 85 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 7 mg
Jack Monroe

Jack Monroe

Founder & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food​

Education

Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education


Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.

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