10 Pretzel Recipes That Go Way Beyond Snack Time
Appetizers, dinners, and desserts get a boost from this nostalgic bite.
A bag of pretzels is an easy snack to keep around for school lunches, road trips, or those afternoons when you just need something salty and crunchy. And warm, soft pretzels? Give us one straight from the oven with mustard or cheese sauce and we’re very happy. But pretzels deserve more than a supporting role in the snack cabinet! There are plenty of fun ways to turn them into appetizers, dinners, and desserts that go well beyond the usual after-school snacks.
These pretzel recipes make the most of both crunchy store-bought varieties and warm, chewy pretzel dough. Crush pretzels into a crispy coating for chicken, mix them into dessert bars and blondies, or pile them with caramel and chocolate for an easy sweet-and-salty treat. You’ll also find homemade pretzel bites that are practically begging to be dunked in sauce, pretzel-wrapped hot dogs for a fun spin on burger night, and even a few classics like strawberry pretzel salad.
So, yes, you can absolutely keep eating pretzels straight from the bag. But once you see what else they can do, you may want to save a few for dinner—or dessert!
Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies
Crunchy pretzel pieces, silky caramel sauce, and flaky sea salt turn buttery blondies into the ultimate sweet-and-salty dessert. Bake and slice the bars ahead of time, and you’ll have a tasty treat on hand for days.
Get Ree’s Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies recipe.
Pretzel Bites
Turn soft pretzels into chewy, bite-sized pieces and you’ve got the perfect party appetizer. Serve them warm from the oven with creamy Buffalo-ranch dipping sauce, then watch the platter disappear fast.
Get Ree’s Pretzel Bites recipe.
Pretzel-Crusted Chicken with Broccoli
Crushed pretzels make a gloriously crispy coating for chicken cutlets. Drizzled with honey-mustard sauce, it’s like a grown-up version of chicken tenders—but the kids will happily eat it up, too!
Get Ree’s Pretzel-Crusted Chicken with Broccoli recipe.
Pretzel Turtles
With just four ingredients and 15 minutes, you can turn store-bought pretzels into an easy sweet-and-salty treat. Mini pretzel twists are topped with gooey caramel, crunchy pecans, and melted chocolate. What’s not to love?
Get Ree’s Pretzel Turtles recipe.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Strawberry pretzel salad is a potluck staple, and it wouldn’t be the same without its salty, crunchy pretzel crust. It’s layered with a creamy filling and glossy strawberry Jell-O topping for a dessert both kids and adults will love.
Get the Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe.
Garlic Parmesan Pretzel Mix
Need something simple and satisfying to get you through the afternoon? This snack mix is loaded with garlicky, cheesy flavor and features three different pretzel shapes for plenty of crunch.
Get Ree’s Garlic Parmesan Pretzel Mix recipe.
Chocolate-Almond Pretzel Clusters
Fans of chocolate-covered pretzels will love this extra-crunchy upgrade. Crushed pretzel twists, slivered almonds, and freeze-dried strawberries are all tucked into each chocolatey cluster.
Get Ree’s Chocolate-Almond Pretzel Clusters recipe.
Pretzel Dogs
Instead of serving hot dogs in the same old buns, wrap them in chewy pretzel dough! A sprinkle of sesame seeds finishes them off for a fun cookout favorite.
Get the Pretzel Dogs recipe.
Strawberry Pretzel Pie
Sweet, juicy strawberries are the perfect match for the salty, crunchy pretzel crust in this easy pie. A box of Jell-O helps the glossy strawberry topping come together in a snap, but the finished dessert still looks plenty impressive.
Get Ree’s Strawberry Pretzel Pie recipe.
Fried Goat Cheese
Fried goat cheese dipped in marinara sauce is a savory snack lover’s dream, and this version uses crushed pretzels for an extra-crispy coating. Fry the rounds in a skillet until they’re golden on the outside and warm and creamy in the middle.
Get Ree’s Fried Goat Cheese recipe.
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