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Chocolate covered pretzel rods are a sweet-and-salty favorite that’s crunchy, festive, and so easy to make! This no-bake recipe is quick, customizable, and always a hit for parties!
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“These are a go-to for just about any occasion for me. They are super simple, super delicious, and always a hit!”
— Wilhelmina
Easy, Fun and Perfect for Gifting
Endless Ways to Customize: Whether it’s for a charming vintage Halloween party (check out my Halloween pretzel rods) Christmas gift, Valentine’s Day, or a baby shower, you can decorate these with any sprinkles, crushed candy, or colored chocolate to match the season!
No Baking, All Fun: No oven needed – just melt, dip, and decorate!
Perfect for Gifting: Package them in cellophane bags tied with ribbon or pop them into mason jars for a sweet, homemade gift everyone will love.
If you love chocolate-covered treats, try my Chocolate Covered Strawberries and Chocolate Dipped Spoons.
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods Ingredients
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.
How to Make Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods
Prep Your Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
Melt the Chocolate: Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until smooth.
Dip the Pretzels: Use a rubber spatula to help coat each pretzel rod in the melted chocolate and remove any excess chocolate.
Add Toppings (Optional): Place dipped pretzels on the baking sheet and sprinkle with decorations while the chocolate is still wet.
Chill: Refrigerate the pretzels for 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is firm.
Delicious Pretzel Toppings
Sprinkles: Classic and easy – use themed colors to match any holiday or party.
Chocolate Drizzle: Melt a second type of chocolate and drizzle over the first layer for double chocolate goodness.
Caramel: Drizzle with homemade caramel for a gooey, rich twist (best if eating right away!).
Nuts and Candy: Crushed almonds, peanuts, M&M’s, Reese’s Pieces, or even candy canes for holiday flair.
Fun Extras: Crushed cookies, mini marshmallows, dried fruit like cranberries, or edible flowers for a beautiful, unique touch.
Eden’s Recipe Tips
Set at Room Temp: No need to refrigerate – pretzels harden perfectly on their own.
Choose Your Chocolate: Chocolate bars set harder than chips, but both work great!
Add Festive Color: Use colored candy melts to match holidays or parties.
Use Up Extras: Drizzle leftover chocolate over nuts, popcorn, or pretzels for a bonus treat.
How to Melt Chocolate
You can use any chocolate you love—milk, dark, white, or semi-sweet. The key is melting it slowly so it turns silky smooth and perfect for dipping.
Easy Ways to Melt Chocolate:
Hot Water Bag: Place chips in a sealed bag, submerge in hot water, and massage until melted.
Microwave: Heat in 15-second bursts, stirring between each until glossy and smooth.
Crock Pot: Warm on low, stirring every so often.
Double Boiler: Set a heatproof bowl over simmering water and stir gently.
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods FAQs
They last up to 1-2 weeks when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
No, they don’t! They can set at room temp and stay crisp longer when kept cool and dry.
Milk, dark, white, or candy melts all work. Candy melts are easiest for color and melting.
Make sure pretzels are dry and that chocolate isn’t overheated or too thick.
Use cellophane bags tied with ribbon, mason jars, or holiday tins for a charming homemade gift.
The easiest way is to melt your chocolate in a tall glass or jar so you can dip the pretzel straight in and get an even coating. Tilt the glass if you need to cover more of the rod. Let the extra chocolate drip off, then place the pretzel on parchment paper to set.
These are best made up to 1 week in advance. Just store them properly — in an airtight container at room temperature, in a cool, dry place. Skip the fridge. They’ll stay fresh, crisp, and party-ready all week long.
More Easy Dessert Recipes
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Easy Monkey Bread Recipe
Snacks & Appetizers
How to Make a Fruit Platter
Snacks & Appetizers
Dessert Charcuterie Board
Let me know if you make this easy chocolate pretzel rod recipe and leave a comment and review below!
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Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 ounces chocolate chips, any type of chocolate works
- 24 pretzel rods
- 1/4 cup sprinkles, or other toppings
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in the microwave at 15-second intervals, stirring in between until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Dip each pretzel rod into the melted chocolate, using a rubber spatula to help coat and remove excess chocolate.
- Place the pretzel rods on the prepared baking sheet.
- If you are using sprinkles, add them while the chocolate is still wet.
- Place the pretzels in the fridge for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is set.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
To drizzle another color over the dipped rods, do we wait until coating has dried and hardened or drizzle before coating sets?
I would wait until the chocolate has hardened a bit.
Easy and addicting!! Yum!
Thank you for the comment!!
I followed this recipe. Packaged my pretty rods for sale, but a few days after the chocolate looked bad, whiteish. What do you think?
It is called chocolate bloom, either temperature fluctuations or the way it was stored.
So fun and easy to make. I love how customizable these are!
These are a go-to for just about any occasion for me. They are super simple, super delicious, and always a hit!
The best!! The combination of sweet & salty is so good! These are so pretty & also make great gifts!
These really are perfect for any occasion- so easily customizable! I love that with the pretzel rods you can have help from kiddos, regular pretzel twists would just be too small and messy.