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These Rolo Pretzel Bites are the ultimate sweet-and-salty treat, combining creamy caramel, rich chocolate, and a crunchy pretzel base. With just a few simple steps and festive toppings, they’re perfect for adding a little magic to your holiday celebrations or anytime you need a quick dessert.
Nikki’s Recipe Rundown
- Taste: Sweet, salty, and downright irresistible! The caramel-chocolate combo is perfectly balanced by the crunch of the pretzels.
- Texture: Gooey caramel, silky chocolate, and that satisfying crunch from the pretzel and M&M. It’s a texture party in every bite.
- Ease: So simple, the kids can help! A quick bake and a little assembly are all you need.
- Pros: Perfect for any occasion, budget-friendly, and customizable for holidays or parties.
- Considerations: You’ll need to cool them completely, so patience is key—don’t skip this step!
- Recipe Repeatability: Absolutely! Once you’ve made them, you’ll want them in your treat rotation year-round. Try them with a pecan instead of a candy on top!
One of the best things about this recipe is how effortlessly it adds a festive touch to any holiday spread or celebration. The combination of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy flavors makes them a standout treat. Whether you’re adding them to a dessert platter, setting out snacks for a party, or packaging them up as gifts, they bring a special touch to any occasion.
What makes them even better is how easily they can be tailored to fit any theme. A quick swap of sprinkles or M&M colors transforms them for any holiday, event, or game day. They’re the kind of recipe that fits right into your plans while being fun and simple to make.
Ingredients needed for Rolos Christmas Pretzels
- Square Pretzels: These hold the Rolos perfectly, creating the base for your bites.
- Rolos: The perfect mix of chocolate and caramel that softens beautifully in the oven.
- M&M’s: Choose colors to match your holiday or occasion.
- Sprinkles: Add a festive touch and extra crunch.
Variations and Substitutions
- Themed Colors: Use pastel M&M’s and matching sprinkles for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, or red, white, and blue for patriotic holidays.
- Nutty Version: Place a pecan half or walnut piece on top of the softened Rolo instead of an M&M for a rich, nutty crunch.
- Flavored Pretzels: Switch up the base with butter-flavored or cinnamon-sugar pretzels for extra flavor.
- Peppermint Twist: Top with crushed candy canes or peppermint bits for a cool, festive spin—perfect for the holidays.
- Hershey’s Kisses: Use Hershey’s Kisses instead of Rolos—classic chocolate for a timeless treat or fun seasonal flavors like Candy Cane or Almond for added variety.
- Peanut Butter Cups: Swap out the Rolos for mini peanut butter cups to add a creamy, nutty twist.
How To Make Christmas Pretzels with Rolos
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay out the square pretzels in a single layer on the sheet, making sure they don’t overlap.
Step 2: Soften the Rolos
Place one Rolo on top of each pretzel. Slide the baking sheet into the oven and let them bake for 2-3 minutes. You’re looking for the Rolos to soften, not melt completely, so keep a close eye.
Step 3: Add the Toppings
As soon as the tray comes out of the oven, sprinkle some festive sprinkles on each softened Rolo.
Press an M&M into the center of each one. If you want to go extra festive, sprinkle a little more on top for good measure!
Step 4: Cool and Set
Let the bites cool completely. You can speed this up by popping the tray into the fridge for about 20 minutes or letting them set on the counter if you’re not in a rush. Once they’re firm, transfer them to an airtight container or serve right away.
Role Prezel Bites Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overbake the Rolos: Keep an eye on them in the oven—2 to 3 minutes is all you need to soften the chocolate, not melt it completely. The goal is a gentle, shiny softness that holds its shape.
- Keep M&M’s in Place: If the M&M’s slide when you press them onto the softened chocolate, just nudge them back gently before they cool.
- Line Your Baking Sheet: Use parchment paper for a no-fuss cleanup and to prevent the chocolate from sticking as it sets.
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Recipe FAQs
They’ll fully firm up in about 20 minutes in the fridge. If you’re not in a hurry, you can let them cool at room temperature, but it might take a bit longer.
Absolutely! Hershey’s Kisses, mini peanut butter cups, or even dark chocolate squares work wonderfully.
Rolo Pretzel Bites Storage & Make Ahead Instructions
These little bites are perfect for prepping ahead of time or keeping on hand for when you need a quick treat.
Make Ahead: You can easily whip these up a day or two in advance. They hold their shape and stay delicious, so they’re perfect for parties or holiday gift boxes.
Storage: The pretzel bites can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. They can be kept in a single layer or placed between layers of wax or parchment paper to protect the topping
Freezing: Want to plan even further ahead? Freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy.
What to Serve with Christmas Pretzels
These festive little bites pair perfectly with a variety of holiday goodies and cozy treats. Here are a few ideas:
- Hot Cocoa Bar: Set up a DIY hot chocolate station with whipped cream, marshmallows, and candy canes. These pretzels are the perfect sweet-and-salty sidekick.
- Snack Boards: Add them to a holiday snack board alongside caramel popcorn, spiced nuts, chocolate-dipped pretzels, and fresh fruit.
- Cookies Galore: Serve with classic holiday cookies like pistachio wedding cookies, peppermint oreo cookies, or strawberry cool whip cookies for a dessert buffet everyone will love.
- Party Appetizers: Balance the sweetness with savory bites like cheese cubes, charcuterie, and crackers for a festive grazing table.
- Family Movie Night: Pair with bowls of buttery popcorn and your favorite Christmas movie for a cozy, crowd-pleasing treat. Santa really loves this Christmas popcorn mix.
These little pretzels are versatile and fit right into any holiday spread, making them a surefire favorite no matter how you serve them!
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Christmas Pretzels with Rolos
Ingredients
- 36 square pretzels
- 36 rolos
- 36 red and green M&M's
- red and green sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the pretzels onto the baking sheet. Then, place one Rolo on top of each pretzel.36 square pretzels, 36 rolos
- Bake for 2-3 minutes or until the Rolos are soft.
- Remove from the oven.
- Sprinkle the sprinkles on top and place an M&M on top of each Rolo.red and green sprinkles, 36 red and green M&M's
- Add more sprinkles on top.
- Place them in the fridge for 20 minutes or allow them to cool on the counter.
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Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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