Your new favorite treat: chocolate caramel candies melted on crispy waffle pretzels and topped with peanut butter M&Ms. These pretzel bites are everything you want in a sweet and salty snack, and they come together in 60 seconds--seriously!
Jump to:
Do you need a crowd-pleasing snack, S.T.A.T.? Then this recipe is dedicated to you, the ones whose homes have suddenly been overtaken by raucous middle-schoolers, or who need a midnight snack, in bulk, that hits all of the midnight craving food groups.
I guarantee you have all of these ingredients (or close substitutions, at a minimum) already stockpiled in your pantry. Made from three common pantry staples and with no occasion inconvenient enough to whip these up, what are you waiting for?
If these chocolate peanut butter pretzel bites look familiar, it's because they are first-cousins with another chocolate and pretzel snack that I turned into Christmas Elf Hats (another 60-second recipe, should the need arise 😉 ).
What Are Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites?
A twist on the widely-popular combination of pretzels, Hershey's kisses, and M&Ms, these positively addictive snacks amp up the flavor by using Rolos and peanut butter M&Ms for added caramel and peanut butter flavors. Plus, you get the perfect ratio of crispy, chewy, and creamy textures. In short: don't even try to limit yourself or any family and friends--just enjoy the indulgence.
Why Chocolate Lovers Make This Recipe
- Ready in 60 seconds -- specifically using the microwave for this recipe enables you to make an entire batch in just one minute. Need I say more?
- A multitude of flavors -- while not the most sophisticated recipe, I certainly don't need to be coaxed into an effortless way of enjoying salted caramel, peanut butter, and chocolate all in one bite.
- Requires minimal ingredients -- I bet these ingredients are already in your regular snack rotation. If not, fear not, for they can all be found in adjacent aisles in your local grocery store.
- An instant hit with guests -- from personal experience, I encourage you to whip up a few batches as your guests quickly break their promise of having, "just one more".
Ingredients and Variations
Salted waffle pretzels -- using the waffle shape creates a large enough foundation for the Rolo to sit on, without getting too messy after they melt.
Rolos -- both milk or dark chocolate varieties work wonderfully in this recipe, and the caramel adds extra complexity to this deceitfully simple snack.
Peanut butter M&Ms -- picture biting into a creamy peanut butter center atop a chocolate caramel pretzel. Mhm, I know. But if peanut butter isn't your jam (uh-huh, I own it, I'll own that pun), you can swap it with other types of M&Ms or another favorite chocolate candy.
Tips for Success
- Don't microwave the Rolos for any shorter or longer than 25 seconds. Any shorter, and the Rolos won't melt enough. Too long, and the caramel explodes in a blistering mess. And after not one but two fires from the burnt caramel, I made this a mandatory rule so you avoid the same smoldering fate.
- If the caramel does leak out, keep your fingers FAR away from it, since hot caramel will scald your skin and be too sticky to remove quickly.
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites
Equipment
- 1 large microwave-safe plate
Ingredients
- 50 waffle pretzels
- 50 milk or dark chocolate Rolos
- 50 peanut butter M&Ms
Instructions
- Working in batches, place as many pretzels on a microwave-safe plate as you can. Put one Rolo in the center of each pretzel, and microwave for 25 seconds. Put the M&M in the indentation and slowly press down to desired height. Chill for 30 minutes, or until fully set.
