Easy Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods Recipe
Learn to make delicious homemade chocolate covered pretzel rods at home with all of my tips and tricks, PLUS lots of topping ideas!
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Tips & tricks to achieve the most delicious cookies of your life!
Easiest Ways to Melt Chocolate for Dipping
Microwave: Using the microwave is my favorite way to melt chocolate because it happens so quickly. To do so, place the chocolate in a microwave-safe container. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after every interval until you have a smooth consistency.
Crock Pot: Using the crock pot is nice because it will keep the chocolate melted, plus you can easily add more chocolate if you need more. To do so, add your chocolate to glass jars and place in the crock pot. Add hot water to the crock pot so that it is halfway up the sides of the jars, being careful to not get any water into the chocolate because it will cause the chocolate to seize up. Turn the slow cooker on high and allow the chocolate to melt for about 30 minutes. Once melted, turn the heat down to a low or warm setting to keep it melted.
What goes into this recipe
- Pretzel Rods: Choose thick, sturdy ones that won’t break easily when dipped. If you can’t find rods, regular pretzel twists can work too, but they’re a bit trickier to dip.
- Melting Wafers: These chocolate melts will melt smoothly and create a nice coating for the pretzel sticks. You can use milk, dark chocolate, or white chocolate depending on what type of chocolate you like. Go for a good quality brand for the best flavor.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Topping Ideas
You can change up these chocolate covered pretzel rods for different seasons or events just by switching the toppings. Here are some fun ideas to try:
- Valentine’s Day: Red and pink sprinkles or crushed conversation hearts will make these extra festive. You will also love this Heart Sugar Cookie recipe!
- Christmas: Crushed candy canes, Christmas sprinkles or red and green M&Ms will get you in the holiday spirit.
- Halloween: Orange and black sprinkles or candy corn pieces will make this sweet treat perfect for Halloween. They would be awesome on a platter with these Halloween Oreos.
- Peanut butter twist: Drizzle with melted peanut butter chips for the perfect combination.
- Nutty: Chopped pecans, almonds, or pistachios will go perfectly with the sweet and salty flavors.
- S’mores style: Mini marshmallows and graham cracker crumbs give your pretzel rods a s’mores twist. You should also try these S’mores Cookie Bars.
How to make Chocolate Dipped Pretzels
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. Add chocolate melting wafers to a microwave-safe jar {or bowl} and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each. Melt chocolate until it is smooth and creamy.
- Hold a pretzel rod by one end and dip it into the melted chocolate, leaving about an inch uncovered for holding. Gently tap it on the side of the cup to let the excess drip back in the cup.
- Place the chocolate-covered pretzels on the prepared sheet pan. Quickly sprinkle your favorite toppings over the wet chocolate before it sets.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the remaining pretzel rods. Once all pretzels are coated and topped, you can allow them to set at room temperature or refrigerate for about 15-20 minutes to make the process go quicker.
Expert Tips
- Use a tall, narrow container for dipping. This allows you to fully coat the pretzel rod without needing excessive amounts of chocolate. Use a long handled spoon for easy stirring.
- Work in small batches. Dip and decorate a few chocolate pretzel rods at a time so the chocolate doesn’t start to set before you can add toppings.
- Tap off excess chocolate gently. Too vigorous shaking can create air bubbles in the coating.
- Add toppings immediately after dipping. The chocolate starts to set quickly, so add your sprinkles or other decorations right away for best adhesion.
- Give these chocolate pretzels as gifts for a special occasion. Place them in a cellophane bag or add them to a mason jar with ribbon.
Storage and Freezing
Store: Keep these chocolate dipped pretzel rods in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. If your home is warm, you can store them in the refrigerator to prevent the chocolate from melting or becoming too soft.
Freeze: You can freeze chocolate-covered pretzel rods for up to 3 months. Place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Thaw at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
Recipe FAQs
While you can use chocolate chips in this easy recipe, melting wafers are designed to melt smoothly and set well for coating. If using chips, you might want to add a bit of vegetable shortening, cocoa butter, coconut oil, or heavy cream to help them melt more evenly.
Absolutely! These pretzel rods can be made 1-2 weeks in advance if stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature.
Do you love Chocolate-Dipped Treats? Try these recipes…
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Easy Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 pretzel rods
- 16-20 ounces chocolate melting wafers
Toppings
- ¾ cup toffee bits, mini M&Ms, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles or mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Begin by adding the candy melts to a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals {being sure to stir between each interval} until the mixture is completely melted and smooth. Transfer the chocolate to a tall cup or jar.
- Dip the pretzel rods into the melted chocolate, shaking off any excess chocolate before transferring them to a parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with whatever toppings you desire before the chocolate has a chance to set, then let the chocolate fully harden before storing in an airtight container.
