Easy Christmas Pretzels
There’s just something about rolling up to a holiday party or family movie night with a plate of easy Christmas pretzels.
The colors pop, the salty sweetness hits all the right notes, and suddenly, everyone’s hovering around the treat table. They look playful and festive, but trust me—these little snacks come together in a flash.
Simple? Absolutely. You only need a handful of ingredients, a few minutes, and almost no fancy skills. That’s the beauty of it.
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They’re the kind of thing you can toss together while your coffee brews or right before your friends show up (because let’s be honest—some of us just don’t plan ahead).
If you love edible gifts, these pretzels don’t disappoint. They’re cute enough to bag up for teachers, neighbors, or anyone in desperate need of a little holiday cheer.
No baking marathons or sugar meltdowns—just quick, crispy magic on a plate.
Ingredients
Let’s get straight to the heart of this snack: the ingredients. If you’re hoping for a grocery list longer than your holiday to-do pile, you’re about to be relieved.
Christmas pretzels are about pure simplicity—just three main things you’ll throw together, each with its own holiday job to do. Here’s exactly what you’ll need (and some tricks for maxing out every single bite).
Your Christmas Pretzel Shopping List
Everything comes together with just a handful of basics—no wild goose chases or pricey gadgets needed. Here’s what you need and why it counts:
- Mini pretzel twists (12 pieces) These little guys do all the heavy lifting. They bring that classic salty crunch that you can actually taste behind the sweet layer of candy. Classic twists hold the coating like champs, and their little loops are just begging for a heart-shaped sprinkle.
- Green candy melts (½ cup) Candy melts are the secret sauce here (okay, not literally sauce, but you get what I’m saying). They melt smooth, coat every nook, and turn into a shiny shell when they cool. The green makes things festive in a way that plain ol’ white chocolate just can’t. I always go with the Wilton brand, but honestly? Anything labeled “candy melts” will do the trick. Microwave in short bursts and stir often—nothing ruins a day like scorched candy.
- Red heart sprinkles (12) Tiny, edible, and way too cute. These turn your pretzel from “fun snack” to “whimsical holiday treat.” They’re a wink to the Grinch (heart grew three sizes and all), but they work for any cheery plate. One sprinkle each keeps it classic. Can’t find them? Red M&Ms, candy pearls, or even a tiny dollop of red icing work in a pinch.
That’s it. Not a single ingredient more. If you want to get wild, you can always double the recipe or swap in other colors, but these three are all you actually need.
One quick recommendation: have some parchment paper on hand to keep things tidy and to help your pretzels set up mess-free. Trust me, no one wants melted candy stuck to their table.
With these simple ingredients, you’re halfway to a plate of Christmas cheer.
How to Make It
The beauty of these Christmas pretzels is in just how simple they are to put together. It’s the kind of recipe that practically does itself.
The prep time is short (think: you can finish these while your favorite Christmas song is still playing), and the steps are easy enough for tiny hands to help out.
Prep Your Workspace
Before anything else, get ahead by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This little move sets you up for a cleanup win later—no stuck-on chocolate, no battling the candy with a spatula. Just smooth sailing.
If you’re like me and sometimes forget this step until the last second, no sweat. But believe me, parchment keeps your pretzels picture-perfect and your counters mess-free.
Melt the Candy
This is where things get sticky in the best possible way. Toss your green candy melts into a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave in short bursts—about 20 seconds at a time—stirring after each zap. The key is a smooth, pourable texture without any burned bits.
Dip Each Pretzel
Time to give those pretzels a festive coat. Drop in one pretzel at a time, using a fork to flip and coat every nook.
Pull the pretzel out and lightly tap the fork on the edge of the bowl to let extra candy drip off.
Then, gently lay each coated pretzel on your parchment-lined pan (no need for perfection, just keep them spaced out so they don’t stick together).
Add the Hearts
Before the candy starts to harden, add a single red heart sprinkle to one side of every pretzel. It’s the secret sauce! The sprinkle sticks best while the coating is still wet, so work kinda fast. Press it in lightly so it doesn’t slide off later.
Don’t have the perfect sprinkle? No worries. Use any small red candy, or even a dab of red icing, and your pretzels will still look and taste great.
Let Them Set
Here’s the hardest part: waiting. Let the pretzels sit out until the candy is set and not sticky to the touch. If you’re in a rush (or just impatient like me), slide the baking sheet into the fridge for about ten minutes. They’ll firm up nice and quick.
Now your kitchen smells sweet, your counters are clean, and you’ve made a plate of Christmas cheer that looks as good as it tastes. Who knew holiday magic could be this simple?
Easy Christmas Pretzels
Ingredients
- 12 mini pretzel twists
- 1/2 cup green candy melts
- 12 red heart sprinkles edible
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the green candy melts according to the package instructions. Stir until smooth.
- Dip each pretzel twist into the melted green candy, using a fork to lift it out and allowing any excess candy to drip back into the bowl.
- Place the dipped pretzels onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Before the green candy hardens, place a red heart sprinkle on one side of each pretzel to represent the Grinch’s heart.
- Allow the pretzels to sit at room temperature until the candy coating is fully hardened. You can speed up this process by placing the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.
- Once the pretzels are set, transfer them to an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for up to a week.
