Easy Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods Recipe

When I was little, we made chocolate-covered pretzels as a treat. I would sit at the kitchen table, eagerly waiting to dip each pretzel into the melted chocolate. Even now, as an adult, I can’t resist chocolate-covered pretzels or strawberries!

Check out my Halloween version, too!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• They are the perfect combination of sweet and salty.
• They are easy to make.
• They can be made ahead of time.
• They are great for parties or gatherings.
• A versatile treat that people of all ages can enjoy.

Ingredient Notes

Pretzels rods – Long, round pretzels that are perfect for dipping in chocolate. They are sold in packages of 12 or 24, a popular snack for parties and holidays. When making this treat, use salty pretzel rods for more flavor. 

Chocolate Chips or Candy Melts – You can use any chocolate to make these. We prefer white chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips.

Sprinkles and Toppings – Adding sprinkles and toppings is so much fun! They make this easy treat festive and delicious! See our topping recommendations below.

Wax or Parchment Paper – We use this to line the baking sheet so the chocolate doesn’t stick.

Sheet Pan – After the pretzel rods are dipped in chocolate, lay them to dry on a lined baking sheet.

Fancy Drizzle

If you want to take your pretzels to the next level, try adding a drizzle.

• Melt additional chocolate or white candy melts in a microwave-safe bowl.
• Place the melted chocolate in a small zip-top bag.
• Cut off a small corner of the bag and use it to pipe the chocolate over the pretzels in a zigzag motion.

You can also drizzle it with homemade caramel sauce.

Delicious Toppings

Sprinkles are a classic topping for chocolate-covered pretzels. You can use different sprinkles. We like using themed sprinkles to match a party or holiday.

Nuts – Almonds, peanuts, or pecans are a delicious addition to these pretzels.

Dehydrated Dried fruit – Dried fruit such as raisins or cranberries would be a tasty topping for these pretzels.

Candy -Small candy such as M&M’s or Reese’s Pieces would make an excellent topping for these pretzels.

Dried Edible Flowers – Edible flowers such as lavender or rose petals would be a beautiful and unique topping for these pretzels.

Candy Canes – These are perfect for making your favorite Christmas treats!

Crushed Cookies – Oreos and graham cracker crumbs make great toppings.

Mini Marshmallows – Add this festive dessert as a topping if you love marshmallows.

Different Ways to Melt Chocolate

There are many different ways to make chocolate-covered pretzels. Choose the method that works best for you.

Microwave – Heat the chocolate at 15-second intervals in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring in between, until it is melted and smooth.

Double Boiler Method: Place a heat-proof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Add chopped chocolate to the bowl and stir until melted and smooth.

Hot Water – Place chocolate chips in a resealable bag. Submerge the bag in hot water, massaging the bag until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Crock Pot – Add chocolate chips to the bowl of a crock pot. Set the crock pot to “low” and let the chocolate melt, stirring occasionally. Once the chocolate is melted, you can turn off the crock pot and dip the pretzels into the chocolate.

Gifting 

Homemade dipped pretzel rods make a fun gift for a special occasion. If you’re looking for a creative way to give these pretzels, try packaging them in a cellophane bag and tying the bag with a ribbon. 

You could also place them in a sealed container like a mason jar or wrap them in cellophane bags.

Serving Recommendations 

These pretzels are perfect any time of the year and great for the whole family! Serve them at a party as an after-school snack. They are ideal for Halloween, Christmas, Hanukkah, or other holidays.

Here are some occasions when you can make and serve homemade chocolate-dipped pretzel rods:

• Valentine’s Day 
• Bridal Showers and Baby Showers
• 4th of July Parties
• Mother’s Day and Father’s Day 
• Hot Chocolate Bar
• New Year’s Eve

Frequently Asked Questions

How to make chocolate-covered pretzel rods without a flat side? 

If you want to make chocolate-covered pretzel rods without a flat side, omit flattening the pretzels. Dip the pretzels into the chocolate, then dry them in a tall glass jar.

Do I have to use Chocolate Melting Wafers? 

No, you can use any chocolate that you like. If you are using regular chocolate chips, they may need to be melted with some oil to make them smooth enough to dip the pretzels into.

How do you thin chocolate for dipping?

If your chocolate is too thick, add some oil to thin it out. This will make it easier to dip the pretzels into and help the chocolate to set up more smoothly.

How do you store chocolate-covered pretzel rods?

These pretzels can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

How much chocolate do you need?

12 pretzel rods, you will need about ½ cup of chocolate.

24 pretzel rods, you will need about ¾ cup of chocolate.

36 pretzel rods, you will need about one cup of chocolate.

How far in advance can you make chocolate-covered pretzel rods?

You can make these pretzels up to a week in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they will be ready to enjoy whenever you want!

How do you make candied pretzel rods?

Candied pretzel rods are made by dipping them into a melted candy coating. The coating can be made from scratch or used with store-bought candy melts. 

Once the pretzels are dipped in the colored candy melts, they can be rolled in sprinkles or other toppings. Candied pretzel rods can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.