Crunchy, salty pretzel sticks wrapped in smooth, glossy chocolate create a snack you just can’t resist. This Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks Recipe is one of my all-time favorites—it’s simple, festive, and perfect for sharing or gifting. Plus, it gives you that wonderful mix of sweet and salty that keeps you coming back for more.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, what’s not to love? Chocolate and pretzels are a classic pairing, but this recipe takes it up a notch with a few simple tricks I’ve learned over the years. Making these at home lets you customize everything—from the chocolate type to your favorite toppings—so you get exactly what you crave.
- Simple Prep: You don’t need fancy equipment or tons of time—just a microwave and a large baking sheet get you started.
- Customizable Toppings: Whether you like sprinkles, nuts, or crushed candy canes, these pretzels invite all your favorite flavors and textures.
- Perfect Sweet-Salty Crunch: That combo is addictive and makes these sticks a hit with kids and adults alike.
- Great for Gifting: They look beautiful when wrapped up, making them a wonderful handmade gift or party favor.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient plays an important role in making these Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks recipe truly shine. Using quality chocolate that melts smoothly and pretzels with a sturdy crunch ensures the best finish—and the toppings are where all the fun happens.
- Pretzel Rods: Choose sturdy pretzels that won’t snap easily but are thin enough to dip smoothly.
- Semisweet Baking Chocolate: It melts well and has the right balance of sweetness without overpowering the saltiness of pretzels.
- Coconut Oil or Vegetable Shortening: Adds gloss and helps thin the chocolate for an easier dip.
- Corn Syrup: Keeps the chocolate shiny and smooth, preventing it from becoming grainy.
- Vanilla/White Almond Bark (optional): Ideal for drizzling on top because it melts beautifully and sets firm without fuss.
- Toppings: From sprinkles to crushed Oreos, toppings add personality, color, and extra flavor.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks Recipe is how versatile it is. Whether you like dark chocolate over semi-sweet or want to experiment with fun toppings, feel free to make it truly yours. I’ve found that little tweaks can make it just right for your taste buds.
- Variation: I like to switch out semisweet chocolate for milk chocolate when serving to kids—it’s a bit sweeter but melts just the same.
- Dietary: For a dairy-free option, look for coconut-based white almond bark or vegan chocolate chips.
- Seasonal Toppings: I love crushed candy canes during the holidays or toasted coconut flakes in the summer for a tropical touch.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace & Toppings
First things first—line a large baking sheet or your countertop with parchment paper. It’s key to catching drips and keeping everything neat. While you’re at it, get your toppings ready in shallow bowls. Having everything close helps when the chocolate is melty and you’re working fast.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate Just Right
Place your semisweet baking chocolate, coconut oil (or shortening), and corn syrup in a microwave-safe bowl. I use half power on my microwave and start with 60 seconds, then stir well. Keep heating in 30-second bursts at half power, stirring each time until silky smooth. Patience here pays off—overheating burns the chocolate, and underheating causes clumps.
Step 3: Dip & Decorate the Pretzel Sticks
Transfer the melted chocolate into a tall drinking glass for easy dipping. I swirl my pretzel sticks in the chocolate, covering about two-thirds of the rod. Hold it over the bowl a moment so excess chocolate drips off nicely. Then lay it on the parchment. Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle on your chosen toppings—this is the moment to get creative!
Step 4: Optional White Chocolate Drizzle
This step’s fun for an extra flourish. Melt your vanilla almond bark with a touch of coconut oil in the microwave, using short bursts like before. Pour or pipe it over some pretzels, and sprinkle with toppings immediately so they stick. Let everything set at room temperature—refrigerating causes the chocolate to get streaky, so patience here really pays.
Top Tip
From my experience making this recipe over and over, these tips helped me perfect my Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks Recipe—and I think they'll help you, too!
- Don’t Skip the Coconut Oil or Shortening: It thins the chocolate and gives you that smooth, glossy finish that sticks to pretzels without looking dull.
- Work Quickly: Chocolate starts to set fast, so have your toppings prepped and ready so you can decorate immediately after dipping.
- Reheat If Needed: If your chocolate cools and thickens mid-dip, just zap it gently again—this keeps everything smooth.
- Avoid Water: Any moisture kills chocolate’s silky texture—stay away from water-based extracts or wet toppings.
How to Serve Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks Recipe
Garnishes
I tend to keep things colorful and fun, so I love using rainbow sprinkles for parties or crushed peppermints at Christmas. For a nutty twist, chopped roasted almonds or pecans add texture and a savory touch. Sometimes I mix minis marshmallows and crushed Oreos to surprise the taste buds.
Side Dishes
These pretzel sticks shine as a simple dessert or snack but pair beautifully with a creamy fruit dip or a cold glass of milk. For gatherings, I like serving them alongside fresh berries or even a rich cheese platter to balance salty, sweet, and savory flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays, I arrange these sticks standing upright in a decorated mason jar filled with colored sugar or candy. Gift-wise, wrapping half a dozen sticks in cellophane tied with a ribbon always looks charming and festive—plus, it keeps them fresh longer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover pretzel sticks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Avoid the fridge as it can cause moisture buildup and make the pretzel lose its crunch. Keeping them cool but dry is the key to preserving that perfect texture.
Freezing
If you want to keep them longer, I’ve successfully frozen these by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap, then placing them all in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying—though note, the pretzel crunch softens slightly but the chocolate stays delicious.
Reheating
Since these are best eaten chilled or at room temp, reheating isn’t necessary. If you want to soften the chocolate a bit before serving, just leave them out for 10 minutes to take off the chill—no microwave needed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Regular white chocolate is less stable than almond bark and can seize or melt unevenly. Almond bark contains vegetable fats that help it melt smoothly and set firmly without tempering. For best results, I recommend using white almond bark for drizzling.
Chocolate seizes when it comes into contact with even a small amount of water. Be sure all your equipment and ingredients are completely dry. Also, avoid adding water-based flavor extracts to the melted chocolate. Using oil-based flavorings is a safer option.
Absolutely! These chocolate covered pretzel sticks actually improve in flavor if made a day ahead. Just keep them stored in an airtight container at room temperature and decorate with drizzle and toppings right before serving for the freshest look.
The toppings you choose are limited only by your imagination! Classic sprinkles, chopped nuts, crushed candy canes, toffee bits, mini candies, shredded coconut, and crushed Oreos are all wonderful options. I recommend choosing toppings that contrast the smooth chocolate for added texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks Recipe is one I’ve come back to time and time again, especially when I want a sweet treat that doesn’t feel too heavy. It’s fun to make, easy to customize, and wonderfully rewarding when you bite into that perfectly balanced sweet and salty crunch. I really hope you give it a try—you might just find it becoming one of your go-to snacks or gifts. Happy dipping!
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Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks Recipe
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in the perfect balance of sweet and salty with this easy Chocolate Covered Pretzel Recipe. Crispy pretzel rods are dipped in smooth semisweet chocolate, then decorated with a variety of fun toppings and an optional white almond bark drizzle for an extra festive touch. Perfect for holiday treats, parties, or a sweet snack anytime.
Ingredients
Chocolate Coating
- 12 ounces semisweet baking chocolate, chopped
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening
- 1 teaspoon corn syrup
Pretzels
- 24 whole pretzel rods (1 10/12 oz. bag)
Optional White Drizzle
- 3 ounces vanilla/white almond bark, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening
Toppings (Choose Your Favorites)
- Sprinkles
- Crushed candy canes
- Toffee bits
- Mini candies
- Chopped nuts
- Crushed Oreos or cookies
- Shredded coconut
Instructions
- Prepare Workstation: Line a large-rimmed baking sheet or your countertop with parchment paper to catch drips and make cleanup easier. Set aside your pretzels and any toppings you plan to use.
- Melt Chocolate: Combine the chopped semisweet chocolate, coconut oil (or vegetable shortening), and corn syrup in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at 50% power for 60 seconds, stir thoroughly, then continue microwaving at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
- Dip Pretzels: Transfer the melted chocolate to a glass for easy dipping. Quickly dip each pretzel rod into the chocolate, swirling to cover about two-thirds of the rod. Allow the excess chocolate to drip off and place the dipped pretzel onto the prepared parchment paper.
- Apply Toppings: Immediately sprinkle your desired toppings over the chocolate before it sets, reserving some areas if you plan to drizzle white almond bark over them later. Repeat the dipping and topping process for all pretzels. Reheat the chocolate in the microwave at 50% power if it begins to firm up during the process.
- Initial Setting: Let the pretzels rest at room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes until the chocolate coating firms up. Avoid refrigerating as this can cause pooling and white streaks on the chocolate.
- Prepare White Drizzle (Optional): Place the chopped vanilla almond bark and ¼ teaspoon coconut oil or shortening in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir, then continue microwaving in 15-second increments, stirring between each interval, until just melted. Allow to thicken slightly if it becomes too thin.
- Decorate with Drizzle: Pour the melted white almond bark into a plastic bag and cut a very small hole in one corner. Drizzle over selected pretzel rods, then immediately sprinkle with additional toppings as desired.
- Final Setting: Allow the drizzled pretzels to set at room temperature for about 30 minutes or until the drizzle hardens completely before serving.
Notes
- Use vanilla almond bark for the white drizzle as it melts smoothly, sets quickly, and creates a glossy finish. White chocolate is less forgiving and can scorch easily during melting.
- Avoid adding water or water-based extracts to chocolate as this causes it to seize and become clumpy. Use oil-based flavorings or candy flavoring oils instead.
- Customize your pretzels with a variety of toppings like sprinkles, crushed candy canes, nuts, or shredded coconut to suit your taste or occasion.
- Do not refrigerate dipped pretzels to speed setting, as this can cause chocolate to pool and develop white streaks (bloom).
- If chocolate firms during dipping, reheat gently in the microwave at 50% power and stir to restore smooth consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel rod
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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