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Chocolate Covered Pretzel Pumpkins are candy-coated pretzel confections with just the right mix of sweet and salty! 3 ingredients make up these fun and festive treats that are sure to be a big hit at your next Halloween or Fall Party!

These chocolate-covered pretzels will brighten up any fall dessert table, tray, or sweet charcuterie board. They come together so quickly and are super fun for the kiddos to pitch in and help make too!

A white plate filled with chocolate covered pretzel pumpkins set on a table with a wooden spoon and a cream tea towel.

At Halloween or even just in the fall in general we seem to entertain or gather with friends and family often. The weather is nice and everyone just loves getting together. I love creating a festive treat to jazz up the table.

These easy chocolate pumpkins can be made ahead of time or are simple enough to throw together for a last-minute Halloween snack.

Here’s what you will need:

Ingredient Notes

  • Orange Candy Melts: This makes the process easy. You have your wonderful chocolate taste already colored and ready to go. If you can’t find them I have tips below for making orange-colored chocolate.
  • Mini Pretzel Twists: A bag of mini pretzels work best. A little crunch and saltiness of the pretzels are the base of this recipe. They are also broken up and used to make the pumpkin stem, but you could also use sunflower seeds for this as well.
  • Mini Green M&Ms: I like to use a mini green m&m because they are proportionate to the mini pretzel. You could also use a piece of green licorice or cut a slice out of green gumdrops.
Image of ingredients needed for candy coated pretzel pumpkins; orange candy melts, mini twist pretzels, and green m&ms/

Variations

At your next Halloween party make these easy pumpkin pretzels along with other adorable fun Halloween snacks like these:

  • Jack-O-Lantern faces – make by leaving off the green leaf and adding black or yellow M&Ms or candies in the holes of the pretzels for eyes and a mouth.
  • Ghost Pretzels: Use white candy melts and put candy eyes on them.
  • Monster Pretzels: Use green, purple, or any bright color and add candy eyes.

How to Make Chocolate Covered Pretzel Pumpkins with Candy Melts

Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

Collage image showing steps to make and decorate pumpkins with candy melts, m&m's, and pretzel pieces.

Step 1 | Prep & Melt Chocolate

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper.

Melt orange candy melt in the microwave according to package instructions.

Place candy melts in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl and melt according to package instructions. (Or on low heat for 30-second then stir. Then add 15-second intervals, stirring in between until melted and smooth.

Step 2 | Assemble Candy Coated Pumpkins

Using a fork or dipping utensil, dip pretzels into the melted chocolate, and gently tap the size of the bowl to remove excess chocolate. Then lay pretzels down onto the prepared parchment paper.

For Faster Dipping: Take a handful of pretzels and stir them in the chocolate and take one at a time out with the fork. It’s a faster way of coating the pretzels than one at a time.

Want a Full More Solid Pumpkin? Just spoon the melted candy melts into the holes of the pretzel. Depending on how many you make you may need an extra bag of melts to do this.

Next, place 1 mini green m&m to form the leaf and 1 piece of broken pretzel to form the pumpkin stem on the top of each pretzel.

Repeat the process until you have as many pumpkin pretzels as desired.

Step 3 | Let Set & Enjoy

The pretzels can harden on the counter (about 30 minutes) or the process can be sped up by placing them in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes.

TIP – If excess chocolate forms around the edges you can break it off if you want to.

Then enjoy these chocolate-covered pumpkin pretzels at your next fall party or Halloween gathering! Or just because you want a sweet snack!

Tips

  • Work in 6 – 12 pumpkins at a time so the chocolate doesn’t set up before putting on leaves and stems.
  • Avoid moisture: Water and melting chocolate do not mix. Water will cause the chocolate to seize. Don’t cover the chocolate when melting it to avoid condensation.
  • Don’t Overheat your chocolate: When melting your chocolate, you don’t want to burn it or overheat it, this will cause it to seize and take away that shiny coating. In between the intervals, really give the chocolate a good stir. This will help distribute the heat and melt the chocolate faster and more evenly.
  • Reheat if needed: If the chocolate starts to harden up, reheat the previously melted candy as necessary (melt it for 10-15 seconds in the microwave and stir).
Three chocolate covered pretzels shaped like pumpkins on a wooden tray.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use white chocolate chips or chocolate instead of candy melts?

Yes. But you need to make sure you use an oil-based food coloring. Otherwise, the chocolate will seize up and be unusable. Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or vegetable oil to the chocolate and mix until smooth. Likewise, you can color white candy melts with oil-based food coloring if you do not have or cannot find orange melts.

How do you melt chocolate in the microwave?

Melting chocolate in the microwave is easy. Just don’t get in a hurry go slow and do not overheat. Always use fresh in-date chocolate (no old chocolate). For about a cup I like to start with 30 to 60 seconds on low or half power. Gently stir and see if the chocolate is melting enough. You have to stir it to tell if it is going to melt and become smooth. Then add 15 to 20-second intervals stirring after each interval. If it melts and is too thick add in ½ teaspoon of coconut oil, vegetable oil, or shortening let it melt, and stir.

Someone holding a candy coated pumpkin pretzel so that it can be seen up close.

Storage

Storage: Chocolate Covered Pretzel Pumpkins need to be stored in a cool dry place. Be sure that before you put the pretzels away they are completely set and not still wet. Store in an airtight container and they will keep for 2 weeks.

If you have a hard time getting the chocolate to set or getting soft again, store it in the refrigerator. Note that keeping them in the fridge can cause condensation to form, making spots on the chocolate.

To Freeze: Store in an airtight, freezer-safe container so no moisture can get in. Frozen chocolate-covered pretzels can stay fresh for up to 12 months. When you are ready to enjoy, thaw for 15-20 minutes before eating.

Looking for Other Festive Treat Ideas

Need a Halloween recipe or fall recipe to wow everyone at your next party? Try these ideas:

Pumpkin Recipes to Try

Hungry for more easy, home-cooked, delicious recipes?

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A white plate full of pretzels covered in orange colored chocolate decorated to look like a pumpkin.
Recipe
5 from 8 votes

(click stars to rate)

Chocolate Covered Pumpkin Pretzels

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Setting Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 36 pretzels
Author: Nikki Lee
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Pumpkins are candy-coated pretzel confections with just the right mix of sweet and salty! 3 ingredients make up these fun and festive treats that are sure to be a big hit at your next Halloween or Fall Party!

Ingredients 

  • 36 mini pretzel twist
  • 12 ounces orange candy melts
  • 36 mini green M&Ms, about ¼ cup
  • 36 broken pretzel pieces (¼ inch piece), about ¼ cup

Instructions

  • Prep: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper and set aside.
  • Melt Candy Melts: Place candy melts in a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl and melt them according to package instructions. (Or on low heat for 30-second then stir. Then add 15-second intervals, stirring in between until melted and smooth.)
  • Assemble Pumpkins: With a fork or dipping utensil, dip each pretzel into the melted orange candy, and gently tap the size of the bowl to remove excess. Then lay each covered pretzel down onto the prepared parchment paper.
    I like to work in 6 – 12 pumpkins at a time so the chocolate doesn't set up before putting on leaves and stems.
    Next, place 1 mini green M&M (to form the leaf) and 1 piece of broken pretzel (to form the stem) on the top of each dipped pretzel. Let set until solid.
  • Repeat the process, until you have as many pumpkin pretzels as desired. Reheat the melts as necessary (melt it for 10-15 seconds in the microwave and stir).
  • Let Set: Pretzels can harden on the counter (about 30 minutes) or the process can be speed up by placing in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes.

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Video

Notes

  • Work in 6 – 12 pumpkins at a time so the chocolate doesn’t set up before putting on leaves and stems.
  • Avoid moisture: Water and melting chocolate do not mix. Water will cause the chocolate to seize. Don’t cover the chocolate when melting it to avoid condensation.
  • Don’t Overheat your chocolate: When melting your chocolate, you don’t want to burn it or overheat it, this will cause it to seize and take away that shiny coating. In between the intervals, really give the chocolate a good stir. This will help distribute the heat and melt the chocolate faster and more evenly.
  • Reheat if needed: If the chocolate starts to harden up, reheat the previously melted candy as necessary (melt it for 10-15 seconds in the microwave and stir).

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1pretzel Calories: 32kcal (2%) Carbohydrates: 4g (1%) Protein: 0.2g Fat: 1g (2%) Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g Trans Fat: 0.003g Cholesterol: 0.2mg Sodium: 18mg (1%) Potassium: 2mg Fiber: 0.1g Sugar: 3g (3%) Vitamin A: 3IU Vitamin C: 0.03mg Calcium: 2mg Iron: 0.1mg (1%)

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.

©️Soulfully Made

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7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Fun! I’ve been looking for one-bite treats to make for Halloween, and I think this recipe is the one! My nieces will be super pleased with these little beauties!

  2. 5 stars
    These treats are so cute! A great idea to use pretzels as pumpkins. I’ll make these for my family to grub on.

  3. 5 stars
    These are so fun and so easy to make. Made them with my granddaughter today because I am in the mood for fall already.