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!
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Pumpkin Pretzel Recipe!
- Quick and easy: With almost no effort and very little time you can whip up a super fun and oh-so-tasty treat.
- Simple and Super Cute Fall Look: Just 3 ingredients and the steps are so easy - melt, dip, and decorate. And look at how adorable they are too! Pumpkins are all things Fall - y'all!
- Everyone loves them: Who doesn't love a chocolate-covered pretzel? Adults and kids alike cannot get enough of a delicious sweet treat!
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
Variations
At your next Halloween party make these easy pumpkin pretzels along with other adorable fun Halloween snacks like these:
How to Make Chocolate Covered Pretzel Pumpkins with Candy Melts
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and instructions!
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).
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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
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Recipe
Chocolate Covered Pumpkin Pretzels
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.
Video
✱ Nikki's 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).
Nutrition
Nutrition 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.
Debbie says
These are so fun and so easy to make. Made them with my granddaughter today because I am in the mood for fall already.
Nikki Lee says
Aww! Thanks for sharing! I have a granddaughter that loves these too!