Gluten-Free Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels – These chocolate peppermint dipped pretzels only require 3 ingredients and 20-30 minutes to make. The easiest holiday treat around! (Gluten-Free + Vegan-Friendly)
I LOVE making holiday treats. It’s such a joyful part of this season for me, and it’s even MORE joyful when those treats happen to be quick, easy, and fun.
Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels are just that kind of treat. They make a fabulous homemade holiday gift, tucked into a clear bag with a cute ribbon. Who wouldn’t want to dive in after seeing these?!
The best part is that they look (and taste) spectacular without any fancy skills or equipment needed. I love that they’re done quickly and they’re so easy even my kids can help.
Plus, you only need THREE ingredients to make gluten-free chocolate peppermint pretzels, and I bet you can already guess what they are…
HERE ARE THE 3 INGREDIENTS YOU NEED TO MAKE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT PRETZELS:
PRETZELS. Our family is gluten-free, so we use gluten-free pretzels. If you don’t need to worry about gluten, feel free to use regular pretzels!
CHOCOLATE CHIPS. Next up is chocolate chips. This will form the chocolatey base for these chocolate peppermint pretzels. I love using allergy-friendly semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips best. You can use your favorite!
CANDY CANES. Lastly, you’ll need some candy canes to crush. These ones are made without artificial dyes and have great flavor. Any peppermint candy cane you like will do!
OPTIONAL: WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIPS OR CANDY MELTS. If you want to add an extra little detail, you can also melt some white chocolate chips or candy melts (ours are dairy-free + vegan!) to drizzle on top of the chocolate-dipped pretzels before adding the crushed candy canes.
HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT DIPPED PRETZELS:
- PREP YOUR COOLING STATION. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or non-stick silicone mats.
- CRUSH YOUR CANDY CANES. I find this easiest by putting the candy canes in a resealable bag and bashing them with a rolling pin or the back of a sturdy glass. I like a mix of larger and smaller pieces.
- GENTLY MELT THE CHOCOLATE. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt in 20-30 second increments, stirring between each increment, until the chocolate is smooth and glossy. (See the recipe card for how to do this in a double-boiler instead.)
- DIP THE PRETZELS. Working just a few pretzels at a time, dip the pretzels into the melted chocolate, using a fork to flip the pretzels and let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. Transfer the pretzels to your prepared baking sheets.
- DECORATE WITH PEPPERMINT. While the chocolate is still glossy, sprinkle the chocolate-dipped pretzels with crushed candy cane.
- LET THE PRETZELS SET. Allow the chocolate peppermint pretzels to cool and set completely. This will take 30 minutes or so at room temperature but can be hurried by popping the pans into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes.
FAQ + TIPS & TRICKS FOR THE BEST GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT PRETZELS.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO STORE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT PRETZELS? Once they’re completely cooled and set, you can transfer them to an airtight container or resealable bag. They’ll easily keep at room temperature for about a week. (Note: the chocolate may “bloom” after a few days. This is won’t impact flavor or freshness.) You can also keep them even longer in the refrigerator.
MELT YOUR CHOCOLATE GENTLY. To help prevent bloom (that powdery appearance that sometimes happens on chocolate), melt your chocolate gently. This means stopping every 20-30 seconds while microwaving your chocolate so it doesn’t scorch and go grainy, or using a double-boiler to melt the chocolate even more gently. (See the recipe card for a tutorial.)
VEGAN? DAIRY-FREE? READ THIS! Dairy-free or vegan? Simply use dairy-free chocolate. Our two favorite brands of allergy-friendly chocolate are these and these.
- PS – Looking for dairy-free white chocolate to decorate with? Try these vegan + dairy-free white chocolate melts or these allergy-friendly white chocolate chips.). I prefer the taste of the candy melts here!
TRY ADDING WHITE CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA MELTS. One way to add some extra decoration to your chocolate peppermint pretzels is by melting a little white chocolate or some vanilla candy melts to drizzle over the chocolate-dipped pretzels before adding the crushed candy canes. (These and these are dairy-free!)
OUR FAVORITE GLUTEN-FREE PRETZELS. If you’re making these gluten-free, you’ll just need to use gluten-free pretzels. We love these ones from Snyders best for chocolate peppermint pretzels, but Glutino is another good brand.
LOVE A YUMMY HOLIDAY TREAT? YOU MIGHT LOVE:
- How to Make Stovetop Holiday Potpourri (+Printable Gift Tags)
- Hot Chocolate Spoons (+Gift Tags!)
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Maple Candied Pecans
- Our Favorite Spiced Candied Nuts
HELPFUL TOOLS + INGREDIENTS FOR THESE GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT PRETZELS:
Gluten Free Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels (Vegan-Friendly)
- Total Time: About 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups chocolate dipped pretzels 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Gluten-Free Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels – These chocolate peppermint dipped pretzels only require 3 ingredients and 20-30 minutes to make. The easiest holiday treat around! (Gluten-Free + Vegan-Friendly)
Ingredients
- 2 cups (about 50) pretzels (gluten-free, as needed)
- 1 cup (6 oz.) chocolate chips (dairy-free/vegan, as needed)
- 4–6 mini candy canes, crushed
Optional: 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or vanilla candy melts (dairy-free/vegan, as needed)
Instructions
- Set up a cooling station. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or a nonstick silicone baking mat.
- If you haven’t already, crush your candy canes. You can do this with a mortar and pestle, though I usually put the candy canes in a resealable bag and crush the candy canes with a rolling pin or the back of a sturdy cup.
- Next, gently melt your chocolate. Microwave* 20-30 seconds at a time, stirring in between each break, until they are smooth and glossy. (Do stir often so the chocolate doesn’t scorch. If it scorches, it will seize and go grainy.)
- If using white chocolate/vanilla melts, melt those using the same method in a separate bowl.
- Dip the pretzels into the melted chocolate chips and use a fork to flip and coat the pretzels. Shake off or let drip any excess chocolate drip off the pretzel and transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
- If using white chocolate, you can drizzle a little white chocolate over the pretzels before adding candy cane.
- Repeat until all pretzels have been dipped and coated with candy cane, re-warming the chocolate in the dipping bowl as needed if it starts to set up/cool.
- Sprinkle the dipped pretzels with crushed candy canes. (You can dip several pretzels at a time before sprinkling with crushed candy cane. You just want to make sure to add the candy cane before the chocolate sets!)
- Allow the pretzels to cool and set completely (this will take about 20-30 minutes or so at room temperature, but can be hurried by placing the trays in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes).
Notes
*Alternatively, you can melt your chocolate in a double-boiler. Place a heat-safe bowl (glass or metal) over a pan with 1″ of simmering water. Melt the chocolate in the glass bowl, stirring regularly until it’s smooth and glossy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
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