If you love the perfect balance of sweet and salty, these Salted Chocolate and Caramel Pretzel Bars are about to become your new obsession. Crunchy pretzels, gooey caramel, and rich chocolate come together in a no-fuss treat that’s impossible to resist. Trust me—one bite, and you’ll be hooked!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Sweet & Salty Perfection: The combination of buttery caramel, creamy chocolate, and crunchy pretzels is irresistible.
Easy to Make: No fancy equipment or complicated steps—just simple layering and chilling.
Great for Any Occasion: Perfect for holiday treats, bake sales, or just because you deserve something delicious.
No-Bake Option: Skip the oven and let the fridge do the work!
Customizable: Use dark or milk chocolate, add nuts, or drizzle with extra caramel for a unique twist.
Ingredients in Salted Chocolate and Caramel Pretzel Bars
Pretzels: The crunchy, salty base that balances out the sweetness.
Caramel: Smooth, buttery caramel binds everything together and adds rich flavor.
Chocolate: Melted chocolate coats the top, creating a luscious layer.
Butter: Helps bind the crust and adds extra richness.
Sea Salt: Enhances all the flavors and gives that classic salted caramel taste.
(Note: The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Prepare the Base: Line a baking dish with parchment paper and spread a layer of pretzels evenly.
Make the Caramel: In a saucepan, melt butter and caramel over medium heat until smooth. Pour over the pretzels and spread evenly.
Melt the Chocolate: Heat chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until fully melted. Pour over the caramel layer and smooth out.
Chill: Sprinkle with sea salt and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until set.
Slice & Serve: Once firm, cut into bars and enjoy!
How to Serve Salted Chocolate and Caramel Pretzel Bars
With Ice Cream: Serve warm bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
As a Gift: Package in a cute box for a homemade treat.
With Coffee or Hot Cocoa: A perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
For Parties: Cut into bite-sized pieces for an easy dessert table option.
Additional Tips
Use Good-Quality Chocolate: It makes all the difference in flavor and texture.
Don’t Overheat the Caramel: Stir constantly to prevent burning.
Line Your Pan: Parchment paper makes removing the bars super easy.
Make It Nutty: Add chopped pecans or almonds for extra crunch.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?
A1: Yes! Just ensure it’s thick enough to set properly.
Q2: What’s the best chocolate for this recipe?
A2: Dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate all work—choose your favorite!
Q3: How do I store these bars?
A3: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or in the fridge for longer storage.
Q4: Can I freeze them?
A4: Yes! Wrap individually and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Q5: Can I make these dairy-free?
A5: Absolutely! Use dairy-free caramel and chocolate alternatives.
Q6: How do I prevent my caramel from being too hard?
A6: Cook it gently and avoid overcooking—low and slow is key.
Q7: Can I double the recipe?
A7: Yes! Use a larger baking dish and adjust the chilling time.
Q8: Can I add extra toppings?
A8: Definitely! Try a drizzle of white chocolate or crushed toffee bits.
Q9: Do I have to use sea salt?
A9: While optional, it really enhances the flavor—don’t skip it if you love that sweet-salty contrast!
Q10: Can I make these ahead of time?
A10: Yes! They store well and actually taste better after a day in the fridge.
Final Thoughts
These Salted Chocolate and Caramel Pretzel Bars are the ultimate treat—easy to make, incredibly delicious, and guaranteed to disappear fast. Whether you’re making them for yourself or sharing with friends, they’ll be a hit. Enjoy every sweet, salty, crunchy bite!
Print
Salted Chocolate and Caramel Pretzel Bars
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-7 minutes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 15 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
These easy, no-bake Salted Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bars are the perfect balance of sweet and salty! With just 4 ingredients, this quick treat requires no candy thermometer and comes together in minutes. Perfect for snacking, parties, or gifting!
Ingredients
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided (high-quality chocolate melts best)
- 8 oz mini pretzel twists (about half of a 16 oz bag)
- 11 oz Kraft Caramel Bits (or homemade caramel)
- Sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt chocolate base: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt 8 oz of the chocolate chips in 15-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Assemble base: Spread melted chocolate evenly onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Immediately press pretzel twists on top (overlapping is fine).
- Melt caramel: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine caramel bits with 2 tbsp water. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth.
- Drizzle caramel: Evenly drizzle the melted caramel over the pretzels.
- Melt remaining chocolate: Melt the remaining 4 oz of chocolate and drizzle over the caramel layer.
- Finish and chill: Sprinkle sea salt over the bars. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until firm.
- Break and serve: Once set, cut or break into pieces. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chocolate Tip: Use Ghirardelli or another high-quality chocolate for smooth melting.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Caramel Substitute: Use soft caramel candies instead of bits, melting with a bit of cream if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 268 kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 5mg