How To Make Candy Coated Pretzel Rods
Candy-coated pretzel rods are fun food you can easily personalize for any occasion or holiday. This no-bake sweet and salty treat is perfect to give as a gift from the kitchen at Christmas too.
I’m sharing three different methods to melt the chocolate for your candy-coated pretzel rods. Dipping pretzel sticks in melted chocolate isn’t enough though, we also cover them with candy!
You have to love a treat that is dipped in melted chocolate then covered in candy bits.
The possibilities are nearly endless with how you can coat pretzel rods with melted chocolate and candy. I mean I can hear the Bubba Gump different kinds of shrimp speech right now.
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Ingredients
- Melting chocolate
- Large Pretzel rods
- Various sprinkles and candies
Types of Chocolate to melt for coating
You should be able to find most of these on the baking aisle at your grocery store. You can find candy melts at Michael’s in the cake baking section. They are probably less expensive than chocolate morsels at the grocery store.
- White chocolate chips
- Vanilla almond bark
- Milk chocolate chips
- Chocolate almond bark
- Dark chocolate bark
- Semisweet chocolate
- Peanut butter chips
- Candy melts in any color
Instructions
I have included instructions for melting chocolate in the microwave, Crockpot, or double boiler. Choose the one that works best for you. I prefer the double boiler method using a glass bowl over a small pot.
Microwave method
Step 1
Prepare your work surface. I use these disposable counter covers but you can also use wax paper or parchment paper. If you plan to cover the melted chocolate with candy bits, get those ready now. The process goes fast once you begin to dip the pretzels in the melted chocolate.
Chop any candies that need chopping like Reeses, peppermints, or Andes.
Step 2
Pour the chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. If you have a deep glass measuring cup, that would be perfect. It will allow you to dip the pretzel rods rather than pour the chocolate over them.
Melt the candy coating or morsels in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring well between each time. When the chocolate is almost completely melted, stop zapping in the microwave and stir until completely melted. If your melted chocolate is too thick, add 1 or 2 teaspoons of either vegetable shortening or coconut oil and stir well.
Always melt the chocolate slowly to prevent burning. It is best to melt it almost all the way but not quite and then stir to finish the melting process. This method will ensure you don’t burn the chocolate. Low and slow is the way to go when melting chocolate.
Step 3 Coating the pretzel
You can either dip pretzel rods or spoon the melted chocolate over them. Either way, you only want to coat the pretzel stick about two-thirds or so of the way up. Leave room for fingers to hold this party snack.
After coating in melted chocolate, give it a gentle shake or a tap on the side of the bowl to remove any excess. You can dip pretzels into the melted chocolate if you used a tall slender glass cup to melt chocolate in.
Apply candy sprinkles or chopped candy bits immediately to the chocolate coating while it’s warm so they will stick. The kids can help with this part.
Step 4
Place each chocolate candy-coated pretzel rod onto waxed paper or a cooling rack to cool and dry.
Crockpot method
Using the Crockpot method is much slower than any other method for melting chocolate. The biggest downside to using the Crockpot is the risk of getting water or moisture inside the jars of chocolate which will ruin it. However, you can melt several different varieties of chocolate at one time and keep the chocolate warm while you decorate the treats.
Step 1
Prepare your work surface as with Step 1 in the microwave method. Chop any candies you plan to coat the melted chocolate dipped pretzels with.
Step 2
Add your melting chocolate to pint-size wide-mouth Mason jars. Place the jars into your slow cooker. Very carefully and slowly add water to the slow cooker about halfway up the jars. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that you not get any water into the jars of chocolate as that will ruin the chocolate.
Set the temperature to high. DO NOT USE THE LID as it will create a moisture which will ruin the chocolate.
Step 3
Using a long handle spoon for each jar, begin stirring the chocolate after about 20 to 30 minutes. Continue to stir often until the chocolate is completely melted, then reduce the heat to a Warm or Low setting while you dip your pretzel rods.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO NOT GET WATER INSIDE THE JARS OF MELTED CHOCOLATE.
Step 4 Coating the pretzel with chocolate
The instructions are the same regardless of which melting method you use. Either dip pretzel sticks or spoon the melted chocolate over them. Don’t dip the whole pretzel. Only coat the pretzel stick about two-thirds or so of the way up. Leave room for fingers to hold this party snack.
After coating in melted chocolate, give it a gentle shake or a tap on the side of the bowl or jar to remove any excess.
Apply candy sprinkles or chopped candy bits immediately.
Double Boiler Method for melting chocolate
A double boiler is essentially one larger pot with a smaller pot, or bowl stacked on top, like this one. This is the easiest way to melt chocolate for me.
Step 1
To melt chocolate in a double boiler, add water about one-fourth way up the bottom of the bottom pot. You don’t need much water, just enough to create steam but not allow the top pot or bowl to come in contact with the water.
Step 2
Heat the water until it begins to boil then turn to the lowest setting. Set the top pot or bowl over the boiling water.
Add the chocolate to the top pot or bowl and stir while it is melting over the hot steam. Continue stirring until all of the chocolate is melted. Don’t walk away because the chocolate melts fast with this method and it will scorch very quickly if you don’t keep stirring.
Make your own double boiler. If you don’t have an actual double boiler, I sure don’t, use a heat-safe bowl over the bottom pot. It works just fine.
Step 3 Coating the pretzel rods with melted chocolate
You can either dip pretzel rods or spoon the melted chocolate over them. Either way, you only want to coat the pretzel stick about two-thirds or so of the way up. Leave room for fingers to hold this party snack.
After coating in melted chocolate, give it a gentle shake or a tap on the side of the bowl to remove any excess. You can dip pretzels into the melted chocolate if you used a tall slender glass cup to melt chocolate in.
Apply candy sprinkles or chopped candy bits immediately.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature. Storing pretzels in the refrigerator may cause them to soften.
The hardest part of making these cute treats is not eating the chopped candies you plan to cover the melted chocolate with.
This salty sweet treat is perfect for holiday season gifts from the kitchen. You can use cellophane bags tied with a pretty ribbon and gift tag for gifting to family, friends, and co-workers. They make a pretty gift of festive treats.
Halloween Candy Coated Pretzel Rods
Use orange candy melts, like these available on Amazon. You can find them at Michaels in the cake decorating section.
You can actually use candy melts in more fun colors like purple and bright green for Halloween. Decorate with Halloween sprinkles like these I found on Amazon.
Valentine’s Candy Covered Pretzel Rods
Valentine’s Day is the ultimate chocolate day, isn’t it? Why not make this fun treat for everyone in the family. Grab some of those pink candy melts and some fun Valentine’s sprinkles and you know the rest.
Make chocolate dipped candy coated pretzel rods for any occasion. It’s a fun no-bake salty and sweet treat everyone loves.
More Declicious Chocolate Recipes
Festive White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn, great for watching Christmas movies
Chocolate Covered Strawberries, easy recipe great for Valentines or anniversaries
Sweet and Salty Chocolate Covered Potato Chips, football food
Easy Homemade Hot Fudge Recipe, use to glaze cakes, for dipping, or covering ice cream
