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Cinnamon sugar pretzels are the perfect sweet-and-salty holiday snack—crunchy, cozy, and incredibly easy to make. Pretzels are drizzled in smooth white chocolate and coated with cinnamon sugar for a festive treat that’s ideal for Christmas gifting, parties, or snacking all season long.
Why. You’ll Love This Recipe!
You’ll love these cinnamon sugar pretzels because they strike the perfect balance between sweet, salty, and cozy holiday flavor. The smooth white chocolate coating paired with a crunchy pretzel and a coating of cinnamon sugar creates an irresistible treat that feels festive without any fuss.
They mix up quickly, require just a few simple ingredients, and make a big enough batch for gifting, parties, or snacking all week long. Whether you’re looking for an easy Christmas treat or a homemade neighbor gift, this recipe is one you’ll find yourself making every holiday season.
Ingredients
- Pretzels, I use the small twisty variety.
- White Chocolate, you can use almond bark, melts or white chocolate chips.
- Butter or canola oil
- Cinnamon Sugar
The only other thing you need is a large plastic bowl that will fit in your microwave.
How to Make Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels
- Pour pretzels into a microwave safe bowl that is large enough to hold the pretzels but small enough to fit in your microwave.
- Mix together oil or melted butter, sugar and cinnamon in small bowl
- Pour oil mixture over pretzels and mix well, making sure to coat pretzels
- Place bowl in microwave for 2 minutes on high. Check after first minute to make sure they aren’t burning.
- Stir the mixture and continue cooking
- Microwave for 1 minute more
- Stir again after you take them out of the microwave to make sure they are all coated
- Spread the pretzels onto two cookie sheets in a single layer.
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar (extra) while they are still hot if desired.
- Melt white chocolate and add white chocolate drizzle over the top of pretzels. Sometimes I move the pretzels to the counter that I have covered in parchment paper and then drizzle with chocolate if there isn’t enough room on the baking sheet to get them in a single layer.
- Once white chocolate hardens put into air tight container.
Tips from leigh Anne
- Use mini pretzels for best coating. Mini twists or mini pretzel squares hold the white chocolate well and give you the perfect crunchy bite.
- Melt white chocolate slowly. Use a microwave in short intervals or a double boiler to prevent scorching. White chocolate burns quickly, so low and slow is key.
- Mix the cinnamon sugar first. Having it ready to sprinkle (or toss) makes the process quick while the chocolate is still warm and sticky.
- Spread pretzels out to cool. Line a baking sheet with parchment, spread the coated pretzels in a single layer, and let them set completely so they don’t stick together if using the microwave method.
- Adjust the cinnamon sugar to taste. Add more cinnamon for a cozier, deeper flavor or more sugar for extra sweetness.
- Store in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and crisp for up to a week—perfect for making ahead for holiday gifting.
Oven Method:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a large (sheet cakpan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place pretzels into a large bowl.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, sugar and cinnamon.
- Pour over the pretzels. Toss to coat.
- Spread the pretzels in one layer on the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
- Once cool, drizzle with melted white chocolate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will cinnamon sugar pretzels last?
When stored in an airtight container they can last for several weeks.
Can I use gluten free pretzels?
Definitely—this recipe works great with gluten-free pretzels, and the flavor and texture are still wonderful.
Do cinnamon sugar pretzels freeze well?
Freezing isn’t recommended because the pretzels can lose their crisp texture once thawed. They taste best fresh or stored at room temperature.
My white chocolate is too thick after it’s melted to drizzle over the pretzels.
Add a teaspoon of melted coconut oil or vegetable oil to thin out the chocolate to a nice drizzling consistency.
These cinnamon sugar pretzels are one of those simple holiday treats that deliver big flavor with minimal effort. With their sweet, salty crunch and warm cinnamon coating, they’re perfect for gifting, snacking, or adding to a festive dessert tray. Once you make them, they’ll quickly become a holiday tradition you come back to year after year.
Check out more of my favorite treats:
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Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels
Ingredients
- 18 oz. small pretzels
- 2/3 cup oil vegetable or canola or use 1/2 cup butter
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- Extra cinnamon sugar for sprinkling
- White chocolate for drizzling
Instructions
- In microwave safe bowl pour in pretzels
- Mix together melted butter or oil, sugar and cinnamon in small bowl
- Pour over pretzels and mix well, making sure to coat pretzels
- Place pretzels in microwave for 2 minutes on high
- Check after first minute as they might burn
- Stir the mixture and continue cooking
- Microwave for 1 minute more
- When out of the microwave, stir again to make sure they are all coated
- Spread the pretzels onto two cookie sheets
- You want a single layer of pretzels
- While they are still hot sprinkle additional cinnamon sugar over the top, if desired
- Melt white chocolate in the microwave and drizzle over the top of pretzels
- Once white chocolate hardens put into air tight containers
Tips & Notes:
- Use mini pretzels for best coating.
Mini twists or mini pretzel squares hold the white chocolate well and give you the perfect crunchy bite. - Melt white chocolate slowly.
Use a microwave in short intervals or a double boiler to prevent scorching. White chocolate burns quickly, so low and slow is key. - Mix the cinnamon sugar first.
Having it ready to sprinkle (or toss) makes the process quick while the chocolate is still warm and sticky. - Spread pretzels out to cool.
Line a baking sheet with parchment, spread the coated pretzels in a single layer, and let them set completely so they don’t stick together if using the microwave method. - Adjust the cinnamon sugar to taste.
Add more cinnamon for a cozier, deeper flavor or more sugar for extra sweetness. - Store in an airtight container.
They’ll stay fresh and crisp for up to a week—perfect for making ahead for holiday gifting.
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Nutrition Facts:
Toni says
I love this recipe and have made it in years past but the actual recipe is no longer showing. All I see is the descriptive narrative about how to make them but not the actual recipe. Am I missing it somewhere?
Leigh Anne says
Thanks for the heads up – I’ve got it fixed now and the recipe is showing.
BroDren says
Not that these need to be made easier, but I wonder if I could use the chocolate shell sauce in a bottle (gasp!). I’m sure they won’t be as good, but in a pinch…
Leigh Anne says
You could try but I think that as to be put on something cold to harden up doesn’t it?? I haven’t used it so I’m not sure.
Hayley says
Loved these and I’m including a link in my blog to send people your way to see the recipe!
Marian H says
I’ve made these pretzels countless times since 2008. So love them!