No holiday season is complete without making a batch of colorful Rolo pretzels!
These bite-sized treats perfectly blend salty pretzels, creamy caramel, and rich chocolate. Even better? They’re so easy to make.
With just three ingredients and a few simple steps, you’ll be on your way to snack heaven.
Whether you’re planning a party or craving something sweet and salty, Rolo pretzels are a surefire hit.
Rolo Pretzels
Rolo pretzels are a beloved tradition for so many families! And they’re so easy to put together.
The recipe begins with a crunchy, salt-kissed pretzel square for a perfect base.
Next, top it with a luscious Rolo candy. A quick stint in the oven, and voila! You have a molten caramel-chocolate wonder perched on your pretzel.
And for the grand finale, nestle an M&M into the warm, melting Rolo. It’s a tantalizing treat with a sublime mix of salty and sweet flavors.
Keep these gems in a jar on your counter. Grab one when you pass by. Or, dish them out at your next party. Your guests will rave about them.
You can even get your kids involved in making them. They’re so easy to assemble! It’s a great way to get them in on the holiday fun.
Ingredients
You only need three ingredients (plus one optional touch) to make these irresistible pretzels.
- Small square pretzels – They’re the crunchy and slightly salty foundation of the Rolo pretzels.
- Rolo candies – These chocolate caramel treats are the gooey, decadent center.
- M&M’s – They bring fun colors, extra sweetness, and an added crunch. They’re the cherry on top of the delicious sweet-salty combo.
- Pecans (optional) – For a nutty twist, pecans add an earthy flavor and extra crunch.
How to Make Rolo Pretzels
With just a few simple steps, you’ll have these treats made in no time.
- Preheat the oven. Start by preheating your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare the pretzels. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Arrange the 25 small square pretzels on the sheet, ensuring they’re evenly spaced.
- Add the Rolos. Place one Rolo candy on top of each pretzel.
- Bake them. Once the oven is preheated, put the baking sheet inside. Let it bake for about 3 minutes. You want to soften the Rolos without fully melting them.
- Add the M&M’s. After 3 minutes, remove your tray from the oven. While the Rolo candies are still soft, press an M&M onto the top of each one. Another pretzel or a pecan could also be used in place of the M&M.
- Cool them down. Let the treats cool down completely before serving. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Rolo Pretzels
These treats are easy enough for beginners. But these simple tips make them even more irresistible.
- Watch the time. Keep the pretzels in the oven long enough for the Rolos to soften, typically around 3 minutes. Avoid overbaking, as the candies will lose their shape and create a mess.
- Stay on top of them. As soon as you remove the pretzels from the oven, press the M&M’s on top. This ensures they sink into the softened chocolate properly.
- Be gentle. Be careful not to press the M&M too far into the Rolo. A gentle press will do.
- Get colorful. Feel free to customize your Rolo pretzels with holiday sprinkles or M&M’s of different colors, depending on the occasion. Get festive!
- Take a shortcut. For an even quicker recipe, soften the Rolos on the pretzels in the microwave at 50% power for 30 seconds.
- Fresh is best. Always use fresh, crispy pretzels that can hold the Rolos. Avoid pretzel rods or stale pretzels.
Variations
Try these fun variations to switch things up a bit.
- Try a chocoholic’s dream. For a chocolatey twist, swap the Rolo for a Hershey’s Kiss.
- Switch up your M&M flavors. Experiment with different M&M flavors like mint or dark chocolate.
- Make them into Santa’s reindeer. Design your Rolo pretzels to resemble reindeer. Use one pretzel for the base and cut another in half to make the antlers.
- Peanut butter bliss. Consider using Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups instead of Rolos.
- Get nutty. Swap M&M’s with a pecan, peanut, cashew, walnut, or your favorite nut for a healthful twist.
- Make a pretzel sandwich. For extra crunch, squash a Rolo between two pretzels. It might not look as tidy, but the taste will be worth it!
How to Store
After you make Rolo pretzels, you want to store them so they’ll last! Follow these easy steps.
To Store: Allow the pretzels to cool for several hours. Once the chocolate has hardened, they’re ready to store.
Pop them in an air-tight container on the counter. They’ll stay fresh for 1-2 weeks. The fridge works, too, keeping them tasty for at least 2 weeks.
To Freeze: Lay your pretzels on a baking sheet and chill them in the fridge for an hour to prevent sticking. Then, move them to an air-tight container in the freezer.
You’ll have a ready-to-go treat stash for 2-3 months. Snacking just got even more convenient!