These Pretzel Turtles are a crunchy, chewy dream! From the gooey caramel and the salty pretzels enrobed in rich chocolate, what's not to love? If you want a super quick and easy treat to add to your holiday table, this one is perfect.
Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Dessert
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 5 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 28
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Sweet, salty, buttery, and lightly crunchy.
- 🍚 Best Served With: Holiday cookie trays, movie-night snacks, edible gifts, hot chocolate, coffee, or alongside other quick no-bake treats.
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Yes! They store well. Keep in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks at room temp.
Summarize and Save This Content On
This is such a simple recipe, but the taste and presentation give you gourmet vibes. I love preparing them as a fun treat for guests while they await the holiday meal. It's the best blend of sweet and salty that you won't be able to stop eating.
If you enjoy caramel treats, you should make homemade Twix bites. Our cream cheese caramel apple dip is worth checking out too..
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's easy to customize: This recipe is easy to make your own! Switch up flavors or use similar ingredients to create something entirely new but still delicious.
- It's inexpensive: I love that this is a budget-friendly treat that doesn't cost a lot to make. Turtle pretzels are perfect for a tight budget.
- It's quick and easy to make: It takes only 5 minutes of cooking time and 5 minutes of baking time to make homemade turtles with pretzels. Then, you just have to wait for them to set!
Ingredients
The ingredients listed below are all you need to make these pretzel turtles with caramel. With just 4 components, you can make an impressive treat!
- Pretzels: I use mini pretzel twists for these pretzel turtles, but pretzel snaps work as well. Make this recipe using your preferred brand, too.
- Caramels: Kraft caramel cubes are my go-to, but any brand of soft caramel squares will work perfectly.
- Pecans: The pecan halves are great because each half fits perfectly on the pretzel and caramel.
- Chocolate chips: I prefer semi-sweet chocolate chips because they are the perfect balance of sweet and bitter. Milk or dark chocolate will work, too. Melt the chocolate once you are ready to coat the turtles.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- White chocolate: Try this pretzel turtle recipe with white chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate for an extra-rich version.
- Caramel apple: Use caramel apple-flavored soft caramels to add fall flair.
- Walnuts: Swap the pecans for walnuts for a slightly different texture and flavor.
- Nut-free: Omit the pecans altogether for a nut-free treat!
How to Make Pretzel Turtles
These are the steps needed to make sweet and salty turtle pretzels. Ensure that you preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line/grease your cookie sheet.
Step 1: Arrange the pretzels and caramels. Start by arranging the pretzel twists in a single layer on the baking sheet. Top each one with a piece of caramel.
Step 2: Bake and add pecans. Place the pan in the oven for 5 minutes to warm the caramels. Then, take it out of the oven and carefully place a pecan half onto each caramel.
Step 3: Chill and coat the turtles. Next, allow the turtles to sit in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Then, you can melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, coat each pretzel turtle with the chocolate, and set it back onto the tray.
Step 4: Set and serve. Pop the pan into the fridge for an hour to let them set, and then enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Chill the turtles before adding chocolate: Don't skip this step! This ensures that the caramel sets up and the pecans stay in place, so the turtle doesn't fall apart before you dip it in the melted chocolate.
- Handle with care: Be careful handling these, especially when they come out of the oven. The caramel will be VERY hot.
- Add coconut oil to the chocolate: If you find that the chocolate is seizing or is too thick for dipping, add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to make it smoother.
These Take 5 candy bites have similar elements to this recipe, prepared in a different yet still delicious way.
If pretzel desserts like this are your calling, you just have to check out these Hershey Kiss pretzels and these brownie pretzels. They are both easy to make and even easier to eat. One bite and you'll be a lover for life!
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store these pretzel turtles in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You may freeze them with parchment paper layers for up to 2 months. Thaw them at room temperature!
- Make ahead: I love to prepare these a day in advance since they need about an hour minimum for the chocolate to set. Then, they are perfectly ready to enjoy.
Serving Suggestions
- Use these as candies for your favorite ice cream! Whether it's a classic store-bought vanilla or homemade flavors like banana split ice cream and Reese's peanut butter cup ice cream, they all work!
- They even work as lovely garnishes for cheesecake. Heath bar cheesecake and caramel brownie cheesecake have similar flavors.
- Are you looking for a savory snack to serve alongside these? I highly recommend that you make deviled potatoes!
If recipes like this appeal to you, give this chocolate turtle mousse pie a try.
Recipe FAQs
This happens if you leave them in the oven too long. Don't leave the caramels for longer than 5 minutes, or they will make a mess.
If you choose to store them in the fridge, this can make the pretzels soggy over time. I recommend keeping them on the kitchen counter for the best results.
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!
Pretzel Turtles
Ingredients
- 28 mini pretzels
- 28 soft caramels
- 28 pecan halves
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Spread your pretzels out on a 9x13 inch baking sheet. Top each pretzel with a caramel. Heat the caramels in the oven for 5 minutes.
- Press a pecan into each caramel and then transfer the tray to the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Melt your chocolate chips in the microwave. Start with 30 seconds, stir the chocolate, and continue heating for 30 seconds at a time until smooth and completely melted.
- Dip each pretzel turtle in the chocolate and return to the baking sheet. Let the turtles chill in the fridge for 1 hour. Enjoy!
Notes
- Store your pretzel turtles at room temperature instead of the refrigerator to help prevent the pretzels from becoming too soggy.
- If the chocolate is seizing or too thick, add coconut oil to it so it's smoother and easier to work with.
- Watch the time when heating the caramels! Too long will make them ooze and cause a mess.
Leave a Reply