This easy Pretzel Bark recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make and is the perfect sweet and salty treat, made with layers of melted chocolate, caramel and crunchy pretzels.
Pretzel Bark is the #1 Easiest Sweet and Salty Treat
Pretzel Bark is the #1 Easiest Sweet and Salty TreatIt hits all the right notes of sweet, salty, crunchy, and chocolatey, without any complicated steps (and they're easy enough for my little kids to make!). All you need is a sheet pan (here's my favorite one), chocolate chips, caramel, and sea salt.
Pretzel Bark tastes like a homemade candy bar but only uses four ingredients, and you don’t need a candy thermometer or any special tools. It's one of our favorites for the holidays or when we want a sweet and salty snack. I like to gift pretzel toffee in these cute holiday cookie boxes or plain white boxes for any time of year.
Try my other candy recipes, like Rocky Road, Graham Cracker Toffee, Chocolate Fudge, or Chocolate Covered Marshmallows!
How to make Pretzel Bark:
Melt and Spread Chocolate: Grab some high-quality chocolate chips (Ghirardelli and Guittard are my favorite brands for smooth melting. Other chocolate chips wont melt properly.) and microwave in 30 second intervals until completely smooth. Spread melted chocolate on a lined baking sheet. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
Add Pretzels: Gently press mini pretzels into the melted chocolate. Don’t worry about making them even, just scatter them on for a fun, rustic look.
Melt and Drizzle Caramel: I use Kraft Caramel Bits but you could also use my homemade caramel recipe if you prefer from-scratch. Drizzle the warm caramel generously over the pretzels. It acts like glue to hold everything together!
Add More Chocolate and Sea Salt: Drizzle a little more melted chocolate over the top, then finish with a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt. YUM! Let the bark set in the fridge until firm (about 30 minutes). Break or cut into pieces and start snacking!
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Recipe
Pretzel Bark Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips , good quality chocolate divided into pieces (I like ghiardelli or baker's chocolate bar best for melting)
- 8 ounces mini pretzel twists , half of a regular 16-ounce bag
- 11 ounce bags Kraft Caramel Bits , or homemade caramel
- flake finishing salt for sprinkling
Instructions
- Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt Chocolate: Melt 8 ounces of the chocolate chips gently in the microwave (on low heat, stirring every 15 seconds) until smooth.12 ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Spread chocolate evenly over the parchment. Immediately add pretzel twists over the top (it's ok if they overlap!) and gently press them into the chocolate.8 ounces mini pretzel twists
- Melt caramel: Add caramel bits to a microwave safe bowl with 2 tablespoons water and melt according to package instructions (on high for 2 minutes). Stir well and drizzle melted caramel over pretzels.11 ounce bags Kraft Caramel Bits
- Top with remaining chocolate. Melt remaining 4 ounces of chocolate and drizzle over the caramel. Sprinkle with flake salt.flake finishing salt for sprinkling
- Refrigerate until set. Cut or tear into pieces, Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe February 2017. Updated August 2019 and November 2025.
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Does anyone know how long these keep for? I was hoping to make them a week ahead of time and just wondering if they will still be good and not stale. Thank you!
Yes, they will be fine made ahead. Be sure to refrigerate them and store in an air-tight container.
do you salted or unsalted pretzels?
do you salted or unsalted pretzels?
If I dont have parchment paper, would tin foil work?
No, I don’t think tinfoil would work. Wax paper should work if you have it
I used tin foil. I spritz it with a little cooking spray just in case. It worked perfectly!
Can you use jar caramel
No, caramel sauce will not work as it’s soft and doesn’t harden like candy caramel.
Alexa, I made these last year and this year both using tin foil and it worked perfectly. I don’t remember if I did this last year or not, but this year I sprayed the foil with a teeny bit of cooking spray. I never have wax or parchment paper on hand.
can these be shipped from the north to a southern state
I think it would be fine–if it gets too warm the chocolate may turn white-ish.
Would the dipping caramel that’s in the refrigerator section (for dipping apples) work or is it to soft?
It would be too soft. Sorry!
I have a bag of wrapped caramels I would like to use…..how many would I use ? Thank you! Want to make these for holiday treat bags!
You will probably need the whole bag. Enjoy!
Has anyone tried to freeze the Pretzel Bark? I want to do some early Christmas baking but don’t want soggy bark!
Could you freeze these? Has anyone?
I haven’t tried it but I think it would be fine!
I want to make the caramels for myself. How long do they keep and should it be kept in the frig. I won’t make one of the recipes with pretzels until I am ready to give them.
The caramels will keep for several weeks if they are covered well and store in refrigerator.
Going to try this recipe with Gluten free pretzels as my Granddaughter has Celiac disease. Think she will love these. Will let you know.