Sweet, savory, and salty—the perfect treat for every snack lover.
My sweet tooth is well-documented. Baked goods, candies, fizzy drinks, and more… if it has a sweet flavor, I am going to, at the very least, try it. I know that it may not be the healthiest habit for one to have, but I find ways to make sure I enjoy my sweets. And as much as I love sweet treats, I also have a deep love for salty snacks. That includes tortilla chips, potato chips, and my all-time favorite, pretzels.
I love a big Bavarian soft pretzel; I cannot go to a concert at an arena without finding one. I love pretzel rods, too. As a kid, I would pretend to be Audrey Hepburn with my long cigarette holder pretzel rod. With that being said, I think the greatest invention of mankind is not fire; it is the blending of sweet and salty snacks. Think trail mix with chocolate candies. Caramel and cheddar popcorn mixed together, Chicago-style. And, of course, chocolate-covered pretzels. Blend sweet and salty together, and you have found your way to my heart.
Are Chocolate Covered Pretzels Healthy?
Healthy is in the eyes of the beholder. I say it all the time, but everything in moderation. This recipe uses a semi-sweet chocolate bar that you melt in the microwave and miniature pretzel twists, so not much by way of nutritional value. You can make the recipe healthier using a whole-wheat mini pretzel or by substituting dark chocolate in place of your semi-sweet chocolate.
You can easily make the recipe gluten-free, too, by substituting a gluten-free pretzel. You can also swap your chocolate for a plant-based alternative to suit any vegans in the family. Essentially, you can make chocolate-covered pretzels work for most diets as long as you do not overindulge.
Chocolate-Covered Pretzels Have A Long History
The origins of the chocolate-covered pretzel are not definitive. However, some speculate that the treat originated in 16th-century Hamburg, Germany, when Herr Franz Joseph Leibniz—owner of a pretzel bakery—teamed up with a local chocolate shop to make the confection. Of course, many believe this to be just a fun story.
Regardless of where they originated, the popularity of chocolate-covered pretzels has taken off in recent decades. What’s not to love? The incredible flavors of sweet, rich chocolate married with the savory saltiness of a pretzel is a hard combo to beat. Their modern popularity has brought about a wide variety of options. Now you can find pretzels dipped in dark chocolate, white chocolate, milk chocolate, and other blends of any variation. The chocolate-covered pretzel has become as synonymous with gift-giving on the holidays and Valentine’s Day as the chocolate-covered strawberry!
How To Make Ahead And Store
After cooling your pretzels, transfer them to an airtight container or individual sealed bags. They should last for up to 2 weeks on the counter at room temperature. You can also freeze your chocolate-covered pretzels for 3-6 months. I don’t recommend storing them in the fridge long-term, as condensation buildup can cause them to turn soggy.
Serving Suggestions
The way you serve your pretzels is truly up to you. I like to serve them with Vegan Hot Chocolate or coffee. In fact, dipping your chocolate-covered pretzels in coffee before biting adds a layer of flavor. You could serve them alongside a Homemade Caramel-Vanilla Iced Coffee, too! They’d also be delicious crumbled over some homemade Chunky Monkey Ice Cream. And don’t forget that you can easily gift some chocolate-covered pretzels in a tin or a heart-shaped box.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped
- 40 mini pretzel twists
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for cooling the chocolate-covered pretzels.
- Melt the chopped semi-sweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until smooth.
- Dip each pretzel twist halfway into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off before placing on the parchment paper.
- Chill the chocolate covered pretzels in the refrigerator until the chocolate sets, about 10 minutes.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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