If you are a fan of the sweet and salty combination, then you'll definitely love these peanut butter Buckeye Pretzels. This easy recipe combines buckeye balls and crunchy pretzels for a bite-sized snack that will leave you wanting more.
There are certain desserts that I can't resist. Particularly ones that combine chocolate and peanut butter or sweet and salty flavors. I tend to eat my fair share of these delicious treats when we make them because it combines both.
We have been making peanut butter balls for years. Our boys request them for every holiday, so we have transformed them into bunnies, pumpkins, and Christmas trees.
A few years back, I decided to sandwich one between waffle pretzels before dipping them in chocolate. Best idea ever! The salty crunch of the pretzels makes them the perfect treat to serve on any dessert table during the holiday season.
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Why You Will Love Pretzels with Peanut Butter and Chocolate
These peanut butter pretzel bites are a great treat to add to your holiday baking plans. Easy, no bake, and full of sweet and salty goodness in every bite.
- Sweet and Salty Twist. This fun treat turns a classic candy into a fun, no-bake dessert that will become your new favorite.
- Pop-able Bites. The salty combination of these bite-sized snacks is hard to resist. Experience a burst of flavor with every bite.
- Crowd-Pleasing Power. Peanut butter pretzel bites are a popular snack that can be enjoyed at parties or with family. They always disappear from the dessert table in record time.
Basic Ingredient List
Use simple ingredients you may already have in your pantry to make this buckeye pretzel recipe.
- Peanut Butter - Creamy or crunchy, it's your call in this recipe.
- Butter - Let it soften at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before mixing it in.
- Marshmallow Fluff - This is the secret ingredient to the perfect texture.
- Powdered Sugar - Sweetens and thickens the peanut butter filling.
- Salty Pretzels - I like waffle pretzels, but any other mini pretzel twists will do.
- Chocolate Coating - You can use semi-sweet chocolate chips or chocolate melts. Ghirardelli wafers are my favorite because they melt smooth and taste great.
How To Make Buckeye Pretzels
In just a few easy steps, you can create a batch of peanut butter pretzel buckeyes. Everyone will ask for the recipe because they are the perfect combination of sweet and salty. You won't be disappointed!
- Combine the softened butter, peanut butter, marshmallow fluff, vanilla extract, and salt in a large bowl. Use an electric hand mixer to beat the ingredients until they are smooth.
- Slowly add the powdered sugar until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the peanut butter dough into 36 small balls. Press the peanut butter filling between two waffle pretzels.
- Melt your favorite chocolate—dark, milk, or even white if you're adventurous. Dip the pretzel sandwiches one at a time into the melted chocolate, then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle the tops with contrasting chocolate and let set.
BruCrew Tip: Add different colored sprinkles before the chocolate sets to customize these treats for any holiday. You can even drizzle the white chocolate as "laces" and make these look like footballs for Super Bowl parties.
Storage Recommendations
Keep these buckeye pretzel bites in an airtight container on the counter for a few days. Trust me, they won't last long!
You can also keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. They're delicious chilled, plus it helps the chocolate stay firm.
Tips and Tricks
- A stand mixer will mix the ingredients together more easily. If you use a hand mixer, keep mixing until it forms a dough.
- Add a little bit more powdered sugar if your dough is too sticky.
- Chill the peanut butter mixture in the fridge for 30-60 minutes before rolling it into balls.
- Drizzle red and green chocolate over the buckeyes, then add sprinkles to make them festive for Christmas.
- These easy chocolate-covered pretzels also make a great holiday gift. Fill a cellophane bag or tin, add a gift tag and bow, and give them to your loved ones.
FAQs
Chocolate buckeyes are a peanut butter treat that originated from the Midwest. They are named after the Ohio buckeye nut because of their color. Buckeye candies are popular, especially during the holidays or at gatherings.
You can, but it's not recommended. Natural peanut butter tends to separate over time, so the treats may end up being greasy.
The peanut butter base is the same. Adding salty pretzels elevates them to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Yes, you can! These are good for up to a week after making them.
Other Easy Holiday Candies
- Peppermint Oreo Truffles
- Candy Cane Bark
- Marshmallow Snowman
- Peppermint Brownie Truffles
- Cookie Dough Truffles
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Recipe
Buckeye Pretzels
If you are a fan of the sweet and salty combination, then you'll definitely love these peanut butter Buckeye Pretzels. This easy recipe combines buckeye balls and crunchy pretzels for a bite-sized snack that will leave you wanting more.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons marshmallow cream
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- dash of salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 bag waffle pretzels
- 1 - 10 ounce bag white melting wafers
- 1 - 10 ounce bag dark chocolate melting wafers
Instructions
- Beat the peanut butter, butter, marshmallow, salt, and vanilla until creamy. Slowly add the powdered sugar. Roll into 36 small balls.
- Place a peanut butter ball between 2 pretzels and press together.
- Melt the chocolates according to the package directions. Stir until melted and creamy. Dip each peanut butter filled pretzel in the melted chocolate.
- Use a fork to remove from the chocolate. Tap the excess chocolate off and place the pretzels on waxed paper to set.
- Spoon the extra chocolate in a plastic ziplock baggie and cut the tip off. Drizzle on the peanut butter pretzels. Let set. Store in a sealed container.
Notes
- A stand mixer will mix the ingredients together more easily. If you use a hand mixer, keep mixing until it forms a dough.
- Add a little bit more powdered sugar if your dough is too sticky.
- Chill the peanut butter mixture in the fridge for 30-60 minutes before rolling it into balls.
- Drizzle red and green chocolate over the buckeyes, then add sprinkles to make them festive for Christmas.
- These easy chocolate-covered pretzels also make a great holiday gift. Fill a cellophane bag or tin, add a gift tag and bow, and give them to your loved ones.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 36 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 124Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 71mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 1g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*This post was first published in February 2011. The photos were updated in October 2016, and then it was republished in December 2023.
Ronna D
Can i freeze these?
Jocelyn
Yes, you can freeze these. Make sure you keep them in a very tightly sealed container, so moisture cannot get into them.
Tracie Lynn Irvin
These are amazing. I made them for my coworkers and they were a HIT!
Dr Emily Gilbert
What sugar are you using? I generally prefer using rock sugar because it is much healthier, but I am worried if it will change the taste?
Jocelyn
This recipe calls for powdered sugar. I've never tried rock sugar, so I have no idea how it would do in this.
Callie @ Best Essential Oil Diffusers
oooh this sounds incredible! i will have to try it soon! thanks for sharing!
D.J.
How many does this recipe make?
Jocelyn Brubaker
I want to say 40-50, but I actually am not sure. I totally forgot to count them when we made them.
Nadja
Great shot of your boys!
And the blondies are looking delicious. Unfortunately we don't have waffle pretzles around here (in the Netherlands). I don't even know what it is haha.
Have a good weekend.
xx
Nadja
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you! You can use whatever shape pretzel you have available.
Jami
Oh my! It's like a Chubby Hubby snack. I'm all over this recipe. 🙂
Jenn Erickson
Buckeyes with waffle pretzels? Oh my word! Another to-die-for recipe, Jocelyn!
I love the pic of the kids having fun on the trampoline, and can definitely relate about the "girl drama". My daughters are 6 and 9, but already we've gotten more than one glimpse into the impending teen years.
Thank you for linking up another incredible recipe to "A Little Birdie Told Me..."
Jenn
Liz
Wow those look delicious - we will have PB and chocolate together in heaven, no doubt. Maybe they will be calorie-free though? Just popping in to say hi and drool a little!!
Christy
yummy treat! thank you for sharing with tuesday night supper club
Jamie
These look so good. I'm your newest follower. Be sure to stop by my blog Monday and add your project to the More The Merrier Monday Link Party.
http://diyhshp.blogspot.com
Mindy
I will not (I refuse!!) to admit how long it has been since Jillian and I had a date shredding. I will use sick kids as an excuse.. that's what I will do! Good luck with the gym. 😉
Sweetened by Kagi
These look so good! Thank you for sharing 🙂
http://sweetenedbykagi.blogspot.com
Sarah
FUN! I am so making this next time I get a sweet tooth.
cindy
Wow. This has all my favorite flavors. Salt, peanut butter and chocolate. It must be good.
Brandi
Hey friend! Did you post pictures of your new craft room before? I can't remember. I love seeing others craft spaces and get ideas on what I can do better. It was 2 degrees this morning when I woke up. BRR! I am so ready to go to Florida for vacation. I started doing P90X yoga this weekend. I have tried the gym, running, cardio, etc. and can't find anything I like until I started yoga. I find it so relaxing and hopefully it will tone me up, if you know what I mean. LOL! Hope your relationship with the gym works out. Ha Ha! (Did you get my cheesy pun.) Have a great week.
B
Hattie
Love the pic of the kiddos jumping!!! My laundry is getting out of control too. That recipe sounds so good. I love ritz crackers w/ peanut butter dipped in chocolate. Yummy!!!
Pamela
Well, aren't those just the cutest little candies? I'm trying to hit my back button but they are calling my name1
Mommy Minded
LOVING the picture!