These Mini Patriotic Pretzels are the perfect sweet and salty treat for summer celebrations. With only three ingredients, they are an easy no-bake treat to make. They make summer cookouts, picnics, and fireworks parties more festive and are a fun way to get the kids involved in helping in the kitchen.
What we love about these Patriotic Pretzels
These pretzels are a yummy, sweet, and salty treat. The color of the sprinkles is adaptable to any holiday, and I love how these red, white, and blue sprinkles give such a fun patriotic vibe. We love adding these to our 4th of July Chex Mix; they really make the mix a fun summer snack.
Making the pretzels is very easy. With only three ingredients, the process is simple, though a little repetitive. You just follow the directions for melting the candy melts on the back of the package, use a fork to dip the pretzels in the candy melts, place them on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet, and immediately cover them with sprinkles. They are excellent for making ahead of time and freeze very well.
Looking for some more summer treats? Try our fun 4th of July Chex Mix, our Berry Crumb Bars, our Homemade Strawberry Shortcakes, our Strawberry Glazed Pie, our Old Fashioned Blueberry Cobbler, our Fruit Pizza Cookies with Berries, or our Cream Cheese and Strawberry Pie, and our Cherry and Cream Cheese Pie.
What you need to make these Red, White, and Blue Pretzels
You will need the following ingredients:
- Mini Pretzels (I used Snyder of Hanover brand)
- White Candy Melts (I used Wilton brand), available at my local grocery store
- Patriotic Nonpareils Sprinkles (I found these online at Amazon).
Mini Patriotic Pretzels Substitutions
I know what it’s like when you don’t have everything on hand, and the last thing you want to do is run to the store and pick something up. Here are a few ideas to substitute items on the ingredients list if needed:
- There are different brands of white candy melts you can use. I would just follow the instructions on the back of the package. Melted white chocolate wafers could work too, but you may have to double-dip them so you don’t see the pretzel through the chocolate.
- You can try different colors of candy melts. There were also red candy melts available at my local grocery store, for example.
- You can use different shapes of pretzels if desired.
- You could also use different-shaped sprinkles. I like how small the nonpareils are, but you can use different kinds or different color mixes. You could also do all blue or all red, which are easier to find than a patriotic mix at craft stores.
Step-by-step Instructions
Step 1. Line two baking sheets with waxed paper. Melt the candy melts according to package directions. Use a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl in the microwave, and heat the candy melts at 50% power. The first time, I melt them for 30 seconds, stir well, and heat again in 15-second intervals until completely melted, stirring well after each interval. This is done in 1-2 minutes. Place a pretzel in the melted candy, and using a fork, ensure that the entire pretzel is covered. Lift the pretzel with the fork and let the excess melted candy drip into the bowl until the holes in the pretzels are empty without the melted candy.
Step 2. Place it on the prepared baking sheet. Cover with the desired amount of sprinkles. Repeat with the remaining pretzels. Let the dipped pretzels sit on the tray to dry for 20-30 minutes. They will set faster, in 10-20 minutes, if put in the fridge. Break off any stray candy strands on the outside of the pretzels and serve.
Tips
- I like using wax paper to line a cookie sheet to set the dipped pretzels on to set. The pretzels don’t stick to the paper, and it helps with cleanup.
- I used about 3 cups of pretzels. You will have a little melted candy leftover, so you could make up to 3 1/2 or even 4 cups of dipped pretzels if desired.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Can the pretzels be made in advance? |
| The pretzels will last about one week when stored in an airtight container. They do not need to be refrigerated. |
| How do I store Mini Patriotic Pretzels? |
| a. Store pretzels in an air-tight container in a single layer for up to a week. I use a Tupperware container and use waxed paper to separate the layers if I need to stack them so they don’t stick together. b. These freeze really well and can be stored in an air-tight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. |
Mini Patriotic Pretzels
These Mini Patriotic Pretzels are the perfect sweet and salty treat for summer celebrations. With only three ingredients, they are an easy no-bake treat to make. They make summer cookouts, picnics, and fireworks parties more festive and are a fun way to get the kids involved in helping in the kitchen.
25
minutes20
minutesabout 6
1/2 cup servingsIngredients
3 cups mini pretzels (I use Snyder of Hanover brand)
1 12-ounce package white candy melts (I used Wilton brand)
1/3 cup red, white, and blue nonpareil sprinkles
Directions
- Line two baking sheets with waxed paper.
- Melt the candy melts according to package directions. Use a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl in the microwave, and heat the candy melts at 50% power. The first time, I melt them for 30 seconds, stir well, and heat again in 15-second intervals until completely melted, stirring well after each interval. This is done in 1-2 minutes.
- Place a pretzel in the melted candy, and using a fork, ensure that the entire pretzel is covered. Lift the pretzel with the fork and let the excess melted candy drip into the bowl until the holes in the pretzels are empty without the melted candy. Place it on the prepared baking sheet. Cover with the desired amount of sprinkles. Repeat with the remaining pretzels.
- Let the dipped pretzels sit on the tray to dry for 20-30 minutes. They will set faster, in 10-20 minutes, if put in the fridge. Break off any stray candy strands on the outside of the pretzels and serve.
Notes
- Sprinkle the dipped pretzels with sprinkles right after dipping, while the pretzels are wet, to make sure the sprinkles stick to the melted candy.
- To prevent the candy from overheating, always melt the candy at 50% power in your microwave. After the first 30 seconds of heating, only heat in 15-second intervals and stir well in between each interval. The candy continues to melt while being stirred.
- If the candy starts to thicken while you are dipping, reheat for 10-15 seconds, stir, and continue dipping. Never add liquids to the candy melts, as it can cause the candy to seize. If needed, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening to the candy to thin.
- I used about 3 cups of pretzels. You will have a little melted candy leftover, so you could make up to 3 1/2 or even 4 cups of dipped pretzels if desired.
- You can use a double boiler if you don’t have access to a microwave.
