Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods

Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods Recipe

I’ve been making chocolate dipped pretzels since I was in high school. They were one of those traditional Christmas candies that was made every year.

Back then, I used full-sized salty pretzels with milk chocolate or vanilla almond bark. It made tons to last several days, and they were great for snacks or movie nights.

As an adult, I’ve branched out to other types of dipped pretzels like these chocolate covered pretzel rods. They’re fun, festive, and easy to make!

You can use dark, milk, or white chocolate, add a fancy drizzle, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts or candy. The possibilities are endless!

Looking for other Christmas snack ideas? Try our Christmas trail mix, Christmas Chex mix, or English toffee. They go well with our homemade hot chocolate mix and white hot chocolate for a fun treat.

Ingredients

• Pretzels: Choose a good, sturdy pretzel. Snyder’s brand is a great option. Some brands will break as you dip them into the melted chocolate resulting in a mess and a waste of ingredients.
• Good Chocolate: I’m a huge fan of Ghirardelli melting wafers. They come in dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and vanilla. They melt easily and stay really smooth which makes them perfect for pretzel dipping.
• Toppings: This is fun part! You can choose your favorite toppings to sprinkle over the dipped pretzels. Some options are crushed candy canes, finely chopped almonds or nuts, mini M&Ms, toffee bits, or mini chocolate chips. 

How to Make Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods

Here is a quick summary of the recipe. Scroll to the recipe card below for the full instructions and ingredient amounts. 

Start by lining a baking sheet with waxed paper or parchment paper, and gather the rest of the ingredients. For this recipe, it’s a good idea to have all the ingredients ready to go because everything moves quickly.

1. Melt the chocolate wafers in a microwave-safe bowl until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate into a tall mason jar or heat-safe glass.
2. One at a time, dip a pretzel rod into the chocolate. You may need to tilt the jar a bit to make sure the pretzel gets well covered. 

3. Let the excess chocolate drip back into the jar. Then, transfer the dipped pretzel to the prepared baking sheet, and add your favorite toppings.
4. If you’re adding a drizzle of another color or flavor, wait for the first layer of chocolate to set before drizzling on the second layer.
5. Repeat with the remaining pretzels. Let the chocolate set before serving.

Topping Ideas for Chocolate Covered Pretzels

• Festive holiday sprinkles in a variety of colors.
• Finely chopped almonds, walnuts, or pistachios.
• Mini chocolate chips.
• Finely chopped chocolate.
• Crushed candy canes.
• Toffee bits.
• Mini M&Ms candies.
• Finely chopped Andes mints.
• Drizzle of colorful chocolate, white chocolate, or vanilla.

Best Chocolate to Use for Dipped Pretzels

• Melting Wafers: These are my favorite because they melt so well and stay creamy and smooth. Plus, they come in dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and vanilla flavors.
• Baking Bars: Baking bars a good if you get good quality ones that melt well without seizing. The downside is that they can get costly.
• Almond Bark: I love almond bark when it comes to making Christmas candy. One package is usually more than enough, it melts well, and tastes good. Some drawbacks are that it has a slightly gritty texture and it can be difficult to find in some areas.
• Candy Melts: These are different than chocolate but can be used in place of chocolate. If there’s a brand you love, use it! Candy melts come in a rainbow of colors making it fun to mix and match.
• Chocolate Chips: Steer clear of chocolate chips for this recipe. They aren’t going to melt well. Not to mention, they tend to set very quickly and seize up easily.

Storage

Room Temperature: Store leftover chocolate covered pretzel rods in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods Tips

• Use different types of chocolate and candies for different holidays throughout the year. These chocolate dipped pretzel rods are great for the 4th of July, Easter, Valentine’s Day, and Halloween.
• Make sure to use finely crushed or chopped toppings. If the toppings are too large, they’ll drag the melted chocolate off the pretzels.
• Wait for the first layer of chocolate to completely set before adding a drizzle. Otherwise, the two layers will blend together.
• Use a spoon or rubber spatula to help scoop the chocolate from the jar onto the pretzels.
• Reheat the chocolate and stir until smooth if it begins to cool and thicken.

Frequently Asked Questions

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