Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels

December 9, 2022
Take everyone's favorite iconic Buckeyes treat, add pretzels to get that sweet-and-salty combo we love, and you've got yourself a batch of super tasty Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels! They're just loaded with salty, crunchy, peanut butter-chocolate deliciousness that's just perfect for Christmas gifting and snacking.

Pile of Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels on Baking Sheet Image

You know that classic favorite Christmas treat, Peanut Butter Buckeyes? With their deliciously creamy sweetened peanut butter centers peeking up through their chocolate-dipped bottoms? Well, Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels are a fun pretzel take on that iconic sweet treat. And I must say, we just adore this crunchy pretzel twist on the classic.

There's not much better than that sweet-and-salty combination we love. And these tasty pretzel bites deliver it up along with a mix of peanut butter, chocolate, and crunch that's oh-so good. 

It's a combo that makes these perfectly poppable little bites dangerous, because they're just so easy (and tasty) to pop in your mouth. But hey, indulging around the holidays is perfectly fine. -- And Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels are certainly a fabulous choice to indulge in.

Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels are just loaded with salty, crunchy, peanut butter-chocolate deliciousness that's just perfect for Christmas gifting and snacking.

We also love how easily Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels come together. They, admittedly, do take a bit of time to assemble and dip, but they're not difficult to make at all. Just mix up a simple no-bake peanut butter filling, press it between pretzel snaps, and dunk in melted chocolate. That's truly all it takes to whip up a batch.

Enjoy a batch for Christmas (or anytime!) snacking, on Christmas day treat trays, or give them as a perfect Christmas gift from the kitchen. And while they don't technically qualify as a cookie for a cookie exchange? -- With their salty, crunchy peanut butter-chocolate deliciousness, we don't think anyone would mind if you showed up with them to exchange!

Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels Coated in Chocolate Laid Out in Rows on a Baking Sheet Image

What's to Love About This Recipe?

  • Salty, crunchy peanut butter-chocolate deliciousness - There's not much better than that sweet-and-salty combination we love! And these tasty pretzel bites deliver it up along with a mix of peanut butter and chocolate that's super delicious.
  • A fun take on an iconic sweet treat - These little bites are a fun pretzel take on everyone's favorite and iconic Peanut Butter Buckeyes. And we just adore the crunchy pretzel twist on the classic.
  • Perfectly poppable - It's so easy to pop Buckeye Pretzels in your mouth for a tasty little treat!
  • No-bake - No need to turn on that oven for these little bites. A simple no-bake peanut butter filling, pretzel snaps, and melted chocolate chips come together to create this adorable and tasty no-bake treat.
  • Pretty easy to make - Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels do take a bit of time to assemble and dip, but they're not difficult to make at all. Mix up the simple peanut butter filling, press it between pretzel snaps, and dunk in melted chocolate. That's all it takes to whip up a batch.
  • Versatile - Enjoy for Christmas (and anytime) snacking, on Christmas day treat trays, or give as a perfectly delicious Christmas gift from the kitchen.

Pile of Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels on a Dessert Plate Image

Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzel Ingredients:

It takes just 7 ingredients to make Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels. To whip up a batch, you'll need:

  • Pretzel Snaps - Also known as waffle pretzels, these create the foundation of the pretzel sandwiches. Mini twists can be used instead, but we do prefer the look of the finished Buckeye Pretzels made with pretzel snaps.

  • Creamy peanut butter - Creates the base of the peanut butter filling. Choose your favorite brand. -- We always use JIF brand peanut butter.

  • Unsalted butter - Combines with the peanut butter to create structure and creaminess within the filling.

  • Confectioners' sugar - Sweetens the peanut butter filling and creates a smooth texture within it. Do not substitute regular granulated sugar or the filling will be grainy.

  • Vanilla extract - Enhances and rounds out the filling's flavor. Choose pure vanilla extract, rather than imitation, for the best taste.

  • Chocolate chips - Melted semi-sweet chocolate chips create the Buckeye Pretzel's chocolate coating.

  • Shortening - Thins the chocolate a bit for dipping and helps create a nice, smooth chocolate coating on the finished pretzels. Vegetable/canola oil or coconut oil can be substituted.

Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzel Ingredients Image

How to Make Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels:

Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels take a bit of time to assemble and dip, but they're not difficult to make at all.

Start by whipping up the Buckeye Pretzels' peanut butter filling, which is really easy to do. With an electric mixer, beat together some peanut butter and softened butter until they're well combined. Then add confectioners' sugar and a little bit of vanilla extract, beating everything together on low speed until it forms into a stiff dough.

For each Buckeye Pretzel, measure out a scant 1-teaspoon of the peanut butter dough and roll it into a ball.

Measuring Spoon of Buckeye Pretzels Peanut Butter Filling Image

Place each peanut butter dough ball on top of a pretzel. Then press another pretzel on top to form a pretzel sandwich.

Pop the pretzel sandwiches in the refrigerator to chill for about 20 to 30 minutes. -- This firms the peanut butter filling a little and adheres it better with the pretzels before chocolate dipping, which just makes the dipping a little easier.

How to Make Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels Image

To prepare the chocolate coating, melt together semi-sweet chocolate chips and a little bit of shortening. Adding a small bit of shortening to the chocolate thins it a bit and helps create a nice, smooth chocolate coating on the finished pretzels.

Then working with one pretzel sandwich at a time, dip each pretzel sandwich halfway up in the melted chocolate, leaving some of the pretzel sandwich exposed. Let any excess chocolate drip back off into the melted chocolate, and place the dipped pretzels on a wax paper-lined baking pan.

Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels Dipped in Chocolate Image

Buckeye Pretzels can be made with mini pretzel twists instead of snaps, as well. -- But we definitely like the look with the pretzel snaps best!

Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels Made with Pretzel Mini Twists Image

Once the chocolate has set, you're ready to enjoy the salty, crunchy peanut butter-chocolate deliciousness. And oh, what deliciousness it is!

Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels Made with Pretzel Snaps Image

Enjoy a batch for Christmas (or anytime!) snacking, on Christmas day treat trays, or give them as a perfect Christmas gift from the kitchen. Because loaded with their wonderful salty, crunchy, peanut butter-chocolate deliciousness, Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels are one super tasty little treat.

buckeye pretzels, peanut butter pretzels, peanut butter buckeye pretzels, chocolate dipped pretzels, chocolate dipped peanut butter pretzels
Candy
American
Yield: about 8 dozen
Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels

Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels

Take everyone's favorite iconic Buckeyes treat, add pretzels to get that sweet-and-salty combo we love, and you've got yourself a batch of super tasty Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels! They're just loaded with salty, crunchy, peanut butter-chocolate deliciousness that's just perfect for Christmas gifting and snacking.
Prep time: 45 MinInactive time: 20 MinTotal time: 1 H & 5 M

Ingredients

  • 1 (16 oz.) bag pretzel snaps (waffle pretzels)
For the peanut butter filling:
  • 1 c. creamy peanut butter
  • 2 c. confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
For the chocolate coating:
  • 3 c. (18 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 3 tsp. shortening

Instructions

Prepare the peanut butter filling:
  1. Using an electric mixer on low speed, beat together peanut butter and butter until well combined. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract; beat on low speed until it forms a stiff dough.
  2. Place pretzels in a single layer on a wax paper-lined baking sheet.
  3. Roll a scant 1-teaspoon of peanut butter dough into a ball and place on top of a pretzel. Press another pretzel on top of the peanut butter ball to form a sandwich. Repeat with remaining pretzels and dough.
  4. Place in refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
Dip in chocolate:
  1. Combine chocolate chips and shortening in the top of a double boiler or small shallow mixing bowl set over simmering water.
  2. Stir frequently until chocolate chips are melted and smooth.
  3. Working with one pretzel sandwich at a time, dip pretzel halfway up in the melted chocolate, leaving some of the pretzel sandwich exposed. Let any excess chocolate drip off back into the melted chocolate. Place on wax paper-lined pan.
  4. Repeat until all pretzel sandwiches have been dipped in chocolate.
  5. Allow chocolate to set before enjoying. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to about 2 to 3 weeks.
TRACEY'S NOTES:
  1. See my post How to Melt Chocolate: On the Stove & In the Microwave for helpful tips on melting chocolate.
  2. Adding a small bit of shortening to the chocolate thins it a bit and helps create a nice, smooth chocolate coating on the finished pretzels. Vegetable/canola oil or coconut oil can be substituted.
  3. Buckeye Pretzels can be made with mini pretzel twists instead of snaps/waffle pretzels. But we definitely like the look of the pretzel snaps best!
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Peanut Butter Buckeye Pretzels ~ A pretzel twist on the iconic Buckeyes treat, Buckeye Pretzels are loaded with salty, crunchy, peanut butter-chocolate deliciousness that's just perfect for Christmas gifting & snacking!  www.thekitchenismyplayground.com


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1 comment

  1. Could butter be used instead of shortening? I never purchase shortening. These look great!

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