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Caramel apple fans will want to try this recipe! These delicious little snacks are super simple to make and combine sweet and savory flavors for a wonderful result. Salty pretzels pair with tart apples, crunchy peanuts, and sweet caramel and chocolate. Caramel apple pretzel bites make lovely snacks that appeal to the grownups and kids alike. They’re a quick and easy sweet treat perfect for fall. Feel free to make extra – these bite-sized treats are always really popular and will disappear fast!
Crunchy and chewy pair up with sweet, tart and salty to make these caramel apple pretzel bites which offer a little bit of everything.
Love these flavors? Also try caramel apple dip, caramel apples, apple pie cupcakes, Christmas pretzel bites, or Milky Way bites.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to make: This is a simple recipe to make. There’s no baking required apart from softening the caramels and melting the chocolate.
A satisfying snack: If you can’t decide between salty and sweet, crunchy and soft, you’ll find these mini caramel apple pretzel bites offer a little of everything, making them really satisfying.
Great for any occasion: Whether you want to treat the kids, make some little snacks because you have guests over or you simply adore the combination of apples and caramel, these are ideal.
Caramel Apple Bite Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Pretzel squares: These offer a salty taste and hold the toppings in place.
Peanuts: For crunch and a nutty flavor.
Chocolate chips: For sweetness. I used semisweet chocolate chips.
Caramel squares: I like the Kraft caramel squares (these ones), but you can use any brand.
Apples: Granny Smith apples are good because their tart taste goes so well with the sweet flavors.
How to Make Pretzel Caramel Apple Bites
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Arrange the pretzels on a baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the pretzels on there, topping each one with an unwrapped caramel square.
Soften the caramel candies: Bake in a warm oven until the caramels are softened and sticky (but not melted!)
Prepare the apples: Core the apples and cut into cubes, then soak them in lemon juice or salt water so they don’t go brown. Pat dry with paper towels.
Add the apples to pretzel bites: Press the apple pieces on to the softened caramel on the pretzels to stick.
Drizzle over the melted chocolate: Melt the chocolate chips (or melting wafers) in a piping bag in the microwave and drizzle over the pretzel bites.
Let them set: Either transfer the pretzel bites on to a new sheet of parchment paper or let them set and break off any excess bits of chocolate before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
A different fruit: Pear works in place of apple but don’t use overripe pears (they are too mushy!) You could even try nectarine or kiwi fruit.
Melting options: Use dark chocolate melting wafers in place of the chocolate chips if you prefer. You can use any flavor chocolate chips or melting wafers, or even something like almond bark. If it melts, it’ll work!
Caramel alternatives: Rolo candy would work in place of the caramel squares or any other chocolate-covered caramels.
Go nuts: Sprinkle chopped pecans, almonds or walnuts over the caramel apple bites instead of peanuts.
Pretzel alternatives: If you don’t want to use the square pretzels, use mini pretzel twists, pretzel waffles (the round ones), pretzel flats, or pretzel crisps.
Serving Suggestions
With savory snacks: Pair these caramel apple bites with mini cheeseballs (apples and cheese are amazing together!) Brie cranberry bites are another great idea.
With sweet treats: Serve them with chocolate acorns or Nutter Butter Thanksgiving cookies.
As part of dessert: Use caramel apple bites to garnish an apple cobbler or apple crisp.
Enjoy with a drink: Enjoy these snacks with something festive like cranberry orange prosecco punch .
How to Store Caramel Apple Bites
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They’re best served the day you make them, otherwise the apple pieces will dry out. Don’t refrigerate them because that makes the pretzels soft and the caramel hard.
Freeze: These don’t freeze well.
Top Tips
Don’t over-bake them: Only bake them until the caramels are soft. Don’t let them melt fully!
Work quickly: Add the apple pieces while the caramels are soft and sticky, and add the chopped nuts while the chocolate is still melted and sticky. You need to prep ahead and work fast to ensure your ingredients stick properly.
No piping bag? Use a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off.
Caramel Pretzel Bites FAQs
Well, the recipe makes 50 caramel apple pretzel bites, so it depends how you’re serving them. Plan on one or two per person as a snack with a drink, one if you’re using them to garnish desserts or pairing them with ice cream, or three or more if you’re especially hungry!
Sure, just omit the chopped peanuts or use something else, perhaps coconut flakes.
This is to stop them oxidizing or turning brown. Just plunge them into the lemon juice or water and dry on paper towels. They will still oxidize eventually (as they’re exposed to air) but much more slowly this way.
Caramel Apple Pretzel Treat Recipe
Caramel Apple Pretzel Bites
Ingredients
- 50 square pretzels, or pretzel snaps
- ¼ Cup peanuts, finely chopped
- ⅓ Cup semisweet chocolate chips, or dark chocolate melting wafers
- 50 caramels, unwrapped
- 3 granny smith apples, cored and cut into 1-inch cubes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275 degree F and use parchment paper to line a baking sheet.
- Arrange the pretzels on the baking sheet in a single layer, allowing about an inch between them.
- Top each pretzel with a caramel square.
- Put the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the caramels are soft. The caramels will expand as they warm up but don’t bake them too long, otherwise they’ll spill out over the whole pretzel and make a mess!
- While the pretzels and caramels bake, core the apples and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Soak the pieces in lemon juice or saltwater to stop them browning.
- Drain any liquid and pat dry with paper towels.
- Take the caramel pretzels out of the oven and top each one with apple, gently pressing the apple down to make sure it sticks to the caramel.
- Next, microwave the chocolate chips or melting wafers in a microwave-safe piping bag on either low or defrost until smooth. Ensure even heating by massaging the piping bag occasionally while heating.
- Snip a small piece off the tip of the bag and drizzle the chocolate over the caramel pretzels.
- Sprinkle chopped peanuts all over the pretzels immediately, while the chocolate is still melted.
- Transfer the prepared bites onto a clean parchment paper before the chocolate sets or let the chocolate set and then you can snap the excess pieces off.
- Let the caramel apple pretzel bites cool completely and then serve.
Notes
Work quickly: Add the apple pieces while the caramels are soft and sticky, and add the chopped nuts while the chocolate is still melted and sticky. You need to prep ahead and work fast to ensure your ingredients stick properly.
No piping bag? Use a Ziploc bag with the corner snipped off.
Nutrition
These delicious little apple caramel pretzel bites are so simple to prepare and they offer a wonderful combination of sweet and salty, crunchy and soft in every bite. They make a wonderful treat for the kids and they’re also cute enough to serve at a party or any kind of gathering. You can use green apples (my favorite) or red ones, as you prefer. This is an easy fall snack idea and, if you like caramel apples, you’re going to love these tasty snacks in bite sized pieces.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I made the caramel apple pretzel bites for a fall party, and they were gone within minutes! The sweet and salty combo is perfect, and the kids absolutely loved them. Definitely making a double batch next time!
I think I like these better than caramel apples. So much easier to make too
I’m bummed about these. I made everything according to the recipe and left them on the tray to harden up. They were set, so I scooped them into a zip lock baggie and put them in the fridge. The next morning, I looked and they were sitting in a puddle of liquid. Turns out, the apples released a lot of liquid and pooled up, making the pretzels soggy and everything a big sticky mess. Although still delicious, they did not work out for me.
These shouldn’t be refrigerated; sorry you missed that part in the “how to store” section. I’m glad they still tasted delicious though!