Butterfly Pretzels are the perfect snack to bring in spring! Whether you make them as a fun snack for your kids or as part of a charcuterie spread, everyone enjoys them. I love the pastel colors and the cute design. It takes ordinary pretzels and turns them into a treat that’s just as fun to make as it is to eat.
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If you want simple butterfly dessert ideas, this is always my top recommendation. The simplicity of the recipe surprises you with the beautiful result. They become the cutest little butterflies and are easy to identify!
If you like colorful treat recipes, you will love Easy Cookie Cups and Fruity Pebbles Banana Pops too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s only 3 ingredients: Believe it or not, these pretzel butterflies are made of only 3 ingredients. These sweet little butterfly treats prove that you can make something awesome without a lot of components.
- It’s perfect for kids: This is one of my favorite pretzel craft ideas. Kids love this one as they can eat them once they’re finished.
- It’s fun to make: You don’t need to have kiddos around to make these! I always enjoy putting these butterfly-shaped snacks together.
Ingredients
Everything you need is listed below. The colors and sprinkles you use will be based on whatever you choose.
- Pretzels: I use mini pretzel twists for the wings and pretzel sticks for the bodies. These are the best shapes to make the most accurate butterflies.
- Candy Melts: Use whatever pastel colors you want! Purple, pink, blue, and green all work perfectly.
- Sprinkles: I like any variety of spring or pastel colored sprinkles. Try edible pearls or sugar sprinkles, too!
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Strawberry flavored: Try strawberry-flavored candy melts or a few drops of strawberry extract for a fruity flavor profile.
- Add gummy candies: Decorate the butterflies with gummy candies like mini gumdrops for a fun twist.
- Darker colors: I like dark colors like red and orange for fall-inspired butterflies!
How to Make Butterfly Pretzels
Here are all the instructions you’ll need to prepare and assemble your butterfly pretzels. Preheat your oven to 225 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to get started.
Step 1: Set up the wings. Lay out two pretzel twists, end to end for each butterfly. Leave about 2 inches of space between each set.
Step 2: Add candy and melt it. Place a white candy melt in between each “wing.” Ensure the candy touches both pretzels. Pop it in the oven for about 3 minutes to soften the candies.
Step 3: Top with pretzel sticks. Quickly add a pretzel stick on top of each candy melt to create the butterfly’s body. Allow it to set for about 15 minutes before you move on.
Step 4: Melt the colored candy. Frab your colored candy and put it in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it at 50% power for about a minute, stir it, and then repeat in 30-second intervals until it’s fully melted and smooth.
Step 5: Dip and add sprinkles. Carefully pick up each butterfly by the pretzel stick and gently dip it in the melted candy, shake off the excess, and place it back onto the parchment paper. Add sprinkles if desired!
Step 6: Repeat with more colors. Repeat the two previous steps if you decide to use more colors. Let the pretzel butterflies dry for at least 15 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Use wax paper for storage: When storing these pretzel butterfly snacks, I highly recommend layering them with wax paper. This keeps them from sticking together and prevents them from falling apart.
- Add coconut oil to the candy: If you want a smoother consistency, add a little coconut oil to the candy melts. This also prevents it from starting to seize quickly.
- Handle with care: Be very careful when moving your pretzel butterflies. They are delicate and can fall apart easily!
If you love recipes like these spring pretzel butterflies, you may also enjoy these spring pretzel Rolo bites.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Place the butterfly pretzels in an airtight container or Ziploc bag and store them on the counter for up to 3 days. You may freeze them for up to 4 months.
- Make Ahead: I like to make these up to 24 hours in advance for a holiday or special occasion. This ensures they’re fully set, too!
Serving Suggestions
- These would make a super cute garnish for this Easter cheesecake pie.
- To keep with the pastel theme, serve this Easy Strawberry Candy as another treat.
- Prepare cherry cheesecake dip to serve with these butterfly pretzels to make them extra decadent.
- Some great beverage ideas to serve with this snack are a pink mojito or a strawberry and banana milkshake.
Recipe FAQs
I like to keep them at room temperature. It prevents them from becoming too hard. If your kitchen is unusually warm, you may place them in the fridge so they don’t melt.
Sure, but be careful. The food coloring can affect the texture of the melted chocolate, so use gel or powdered food coloring if possible.
If you don’t allow them enough time to set or add enough melted candy, they will not hold together when you pick them up. Be patient!
More Delicious Pretzel Recipes
Do you like pretzel recipes? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section, I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Butterfly Pretzels
Equipment
- Cookie Sheet
- microwave safe bowl small
Ingredients
- 96 twist pretzels
- 1 cup white candy melts
- 1 ½ cups coloured candy melts your choice of colour
- 48 straight pretzels
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Place 2 of your twisted pretzels end to end on a cookie sheet. Make sure the two are touching but not overlapping. Do this until the cookie sheet is filled. Leave at least 2 inches of space between the pair of pretzels. These will be the wings to your butterfly.
- Place a white candy melt over the two paired pretzels. Make sure the chocolate is touching both of the pretzels. Bake for 3 minutes. You want the candy melt to be softened but not completely melted.
- Remove from the oven and immediately press a straight pretzel into the softened chocolate. You’ll want the longer end of the pretzel to be at the base of your butterfly. This is going to give you a little handle for dipping. Cool completely so that the chocolate hardens and “holds” onto the pretzels. It will take about 15 minutes to set.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the candy melts at 50% power for one minute. Remove from the microwave and give it a stir. Continue melting at 50% power in 30 second time intervals until it is fully melted and smooth. This may take 5 minutes.
- Use the straight pretzel as a little handle and dip the butterfly fully in the melted candy. Lightly shake any excess candy off your butterfly and place on a sheet of parchment paper. Immediately shake some sprinkles over the butterflies.
- If you are doing multiple colours, repeat step 5-6 until you have coated and sprinkled each butterfly.
- Let stand for 15 minutes to fully harden. Once the butterflies have set, enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Store leftover pretzel butterflies at room temperature in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 days.
- Be patient! Allow the candy to fully harden so the pretzels and candy hold together. Otherwise, they will fall apart.
- Add layers of wax paper to keep the butterflies from sticking together in storage.
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