These gluten-free Christmas pretzel treats are festive, EASY-to-make and sweet/salty delicious. You’ll be tempted to eat the whole batch!
If you’re looking for an easy gluten-free Christmas treat to make you’re in the right place! These pretzel treats come together in under an hour. Decorate them with festive sprinkles, M&Ms or just a sprinkle of sea salt if you like.
Be sure to watch the recipe video to see how to make them!
These gluten-free Christmas treats are perfect for food gifts, cookie plates or if you just want a festive treat to make while watching a Christmas movie.
You only need 4 ingredients plus whatever toppings you like to make them!
If you like this recipe, you also might enjoy my some of my other holiday recipes like homemade caramels or the best caramel corn recipe.
For Christmas cookies try these gluten-free mint brownies, gluten-free biscotti and gluten-free oatmeal bars.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Gluten-Free Pretzel Twists: Use your favorite brand. My favorite brands are Synder’s or Glutino. Use pretzel twists rather than the pretzel sticks for this recipe.
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar works best in these gluten-free Christmas treats.
- Butter: I use salted butter.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Any brand you like! Toll House and Guittard are both gluten-free.
These gluten-free christmas treats can be topped with any toppings you like! Here are some of my favorite additions:
- Mini red/green m&ms
- Chopped walnuts
- Maldon sea salt (best salt ever!)
- Holiday sprinkles
How to Make Gluten-Free Christmas Treats
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Cover the lined pan with the broken mini pretzels. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then let it cook for 3 minutes without stirring.
- Immediately pour the hot caramel mixture over the pretzels in a back and forth motion to cover most of the pretzels (a few empty/dry spots are ok as the caramel will fuse together during baking).
- Bake for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top of the hot caramel and pretzels. Let the chocolate chips sit for 2-3 minutes until they melt.
- Use an offset spatula or rubber spatula to gently spread the melted chocolate over the pretzel/caramel layer. Lightly sprinkle with toppings of choice.
Let the pretzel treats cool completely at room temperature (or in the freezer for 15 minutes). Then you can break the treats into pieces.
Storage Tips
Warning – these disappear fast! It’s hard to resist eating the whole batch 😉
You can store the gluten-free Christmas treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Note: These don’t freeze well as the chocolate won’t hold up to freezing.
More Gluten-Free Christmas Treats
I hope you like this easy, gluten-free Christmas treat recipe as much as we do! If you try it please leave a comment/rating below. I’d love to hear from you!
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Gluten-Free Christmas Pretzel Treats
Ingredients
- 8 oz gluten-free pretzel twists, broken into smaller pieces (I like Synder's or Glutino)
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 12 oz semisweet chocolate chips
- toppings of choice, sea salt, mini M&Ms, chopped walnuts, Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Cover the lined pan with the broken mini pretzels. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then let it cook for 3 minutes without stirring.
- Immediately pour the hot caramel mixture over the pretzels in a back and forth motion to cover most of the pretzels (a few empty/dry spots are ok as the caramel will fuse together during baking).
- Bake for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the top of the hot caramel and pretzels. Let the chocolate chips sit for 2-3 minutes until they melt. Use an offset spatula or rubber spatula to gently spread the melted chocolate over the pretzel/caramel layer. Lightly sprinkle with toppings of choice.
- Let the pretzel treats cool completely at room temperature (or in the freezer for 15 minutes). Break the treats into pieces and try not to eat the whole batch. Enjoy!
Video
Recipe Notes
- Mini red/green m&ms
- Chopped walnuts
- Maldon sea salt (best salt ever!)
- Christmas sprinkles
This recipe was originally published in December 2015. It was updated with new photos and a new recipe in December 2021.
Steph Tsouloufis says
Yum!!! I just made a half batch tonight with Aldi pretzels as they are free from gluten, soy and corn.
Of my yum!
Erin Collins says
Great! I’m so glad they turned out for you 🙂
Vicki says
This reminds of the Christmas Crack I’ve made in the past. Will definitely make these for Christmas with my kids this year.
Also looking at the gingerbread cookies and mint brownies
Erin Collins says
Yay! I hope you like these if you try them. Glad you’re enjoying the recipes 🙂
Madison says
These taste just like real snappers! I can’t wait to make these again and again. They are the perfect combination of salty and sweet.
Sandi Miles says
Hello…I’m so excited to make this treat for our Cinco de Mayo “zert” tomorrow night. What size tray would you recommend? I have an 11″ x 17″. Is that big enough? Too big?
Erin Collins says
That should work great!
Brittany says
This looks like the perfect recipe for upcoming holiday gatherings! What kind of cream would you recommend using for this? Light, heavy, whipping?
Becca says
Hi, I know you’re at a high altitude too, so just wondering if the 236 is adjusted for altitude or if I should adjust it. Don’t want to overcook my caramel! Can’t wait to try this, it looks so yummy!
Erin Collins says
Hi Becca! 236 isn’t adjusted for altitude. Thanks for pointing that out! Let me know if they turn out for you!
Sara says
So what would we need to cook it to at a normal altitude then? (In IL here). Thanks!
Amy says
Looks amazing!
Anna says
Would it work to use your dairy-free caramel sauce for these? They look so good but I’m looking for a little bit of a healthier alternative to the caramel. 🙂 Also what brand of gluten free pretzels do you like?
Erin Collins says
Hi Anna! I don’t think the dairy-free caramel sauce would work here. It never sets up like candy and stays more of a sauce. These are definitely and indulgence! You could try using dairy-free store bough caramels (like the brand Cocomels) and melting them down for the filling.