Caramel Apple Dipped Pretzel Bites! Crunchy mini pretzels dipped in sweet caramel and rolled in crushed apple chips will be the highlight of your fall dessert table! These irresistible, easy-to-make bites make fantastic game day snacks for tailgates and fall parties; they also make a great treat to package and gift for any autumn occasion.
When everyone starts piping up over pumpkin, I head straight for apples. Apples are my gateway to fall flavors and autumnal eats.
They've got that nostalgic, "back to school", "leaves are changing" vibe without going FALL full-force, and they pair like a dream with those warm, toasty spices that everyone loves so much in their pumpkin-spiced this and that. {Can you tell that it takes me a little while to ease into autumn down here in hot, sweaty Florida?}
I've been jotting down recipes ideas left and right as I get myself into the mood for the season, and a few days ago, one came to mind out of nowhere: Caramel Apple Dipped Pretzel Bites. {Doesn't everyone daydream about such things?}
It could have been because I was mulling over game day snacks to bring to a tailgate this weekend, but the thought of these EASY treats just sounded so ideal that I had to get my hands on the ingredients immediately and see if they worked together as well as I imagined they would.
Spoiler alert: THEY DID!
There's no better time than game day to start getting into that fall mode, and the tailgate is the perfect place for easy, portable snacks like these. Salty mini pretzels dipped in gooey caramel and coated in crushed apple chips. I mean... for heaven's sake.
If you'd rather not spend your whole morning dipping and coating these bad boys {though the work goes by quickly if you're watching ESPN College Game Day}, pass off the task to eager kiddos -- OR -- use my super smart strategy of using long pretzel rods instead so you don't have to make as many. I did this last weekend when I took these to a pool party and I felt like a genius for coming up with an alternative plan that shaved off a ton of prep time. {And clean up time since I crushed the apple chips right in their packaging and dipped the pretzel rods directly into bag. SO EASY.}
You can use any pretzel shape or variety for these snacks. I used gluten free mini pretzels and they tasted exactly the same as the regular kind, which is especially nice if you're bringing them along for a crowd and aren't sure about allergies and sensitivities. I chose "Original" flavored apple chips for this batch, but they also come in other flavors like Cinnamon and Caramel {caramel on caramel??? YES.} if you want to give your treats a twist. Another idea? Finely chop peanuts, pecans or walnuts and add them to the crushed apple chips before you give your pretzels a dip for a little extra pizzazz.
Don't just just consider making these as game day snacks -- they'd be amazing for any fall affair including Halloween and Thanksgiving!
Is there anything that screams fall more than caramel apples?!?! {DON'T YOU DARE SAY PUMPKIN.} I think not!
Whip up a batch {or 5, because they go quick} watch them disappear!
Caramel Apple Dipped Pretzel Bites
Ingredients
- 15 wrapped caramels unwrapped
- 1 teaspoon heavy cream
- 2.5 ounces 1 bag apple chips crushed
- 55 mini pretzels
Instructions
- Prepare a baking pan by lining with a piece of parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Place the unwrapped caramels in a small bowl. Pour the heavy cream over top. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stopping to stir until completely melted and smooth.
- Spread crushed apple chips out on a small plate. Dip half of the pretzel in the melted caramel, scraping off any excess on the side of the bowl to prevent dripping. Coat in crushed apple chips and place on lined baking pan.
- Continue until you've used up all the caramel -- this makes 50-60 bites with just 15 caramelsj and one bag of apple chips!
- Let the pretzels set for a few minutes before transferring to a serving dish {or your mouth!} or packaging.
Victoria says
Question. I want to make alot of these using short pretzel rods, layering caramel, chocolate and then the apple chip pieces. What happens to the apple pieces after a few days? Do they get soggy? Does it help or hurt to refrigerate after making?
Thanks.
thekitchenprep says
Hi Victoria, the apple chips will get soft/chewy after a few days as they absorb moisture. Unfortunately I don't think refrigerating would help and it could actually cause the caramel to start to get soft and runny. I'd just try to make them as close to when you want to enjoy them as possible.