No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies With Chocolate Chips Recipe

Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies With Chocolate Chips Recipe

Crumbly pretzels dance with rich chocolate chips in a no-bake peanut butter pretzel cookies that redefine sweet snacking.

Sweet and salty flavors merge into an irresistible treat perfect for any moment.

Crunchy pretzel pieces add a delightful texture to these no-fuss cookies.

Melted chocolate weaves through the mixture, creating pockets of decadent goodness.

These cookies come together in minutes without ever touching an oven.

Simple ingredients transform into a dessert that feels both nostalgic and exciting.

You’ll love how effortlessly these cookies satisfy your most intense snack cravings.

Prepare to indulge in a cookie that breaks all the traditional baking rules.

Why Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies Are Addictive

  • Create Sweet Memories: Craft a delightful dessert that brings families together with its rich chocolate flavor and nostalgic charm.
  • Master Simple Cooking Techniques: Learn an easy method to create professional-looking fudge with minimal culinary skills required.
  • Customize Your Treat: Experiment with different nuts or add fun mix-ins like crushed candy or dried fruits to make the recipe uniquely yours.
  • Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare a delectable dessert that impresses guests without spending hours in the kitchen, perfect for potlucks, holidays, and spontaneous gatherings.

What Goes Into No-Bake Pretzel Cookies

Base Ingredients:
  • Peanut Butter: A creamy and rich base that provides the primary flavor and binding for the cookies.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a smooth mixture.
  • Corn Syrup: Helps bind the ingredients and provides additional sweetness.
Crunch Ingredients:
  • Rice Crispy Cereal, Pretzels: Provide a delightful crispy and crunchy texture to the cookies.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla: Adds a warm, sweet undertone to the cookie mixture.
  • Sea Salt: Provides a subtle balance to the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
  • Chocolate Chips: Introduces rich chocolate notes and additional sweetness to the cookies.

Making No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies

Step 1: Line Baking Surface

Grab a baking sheet and cover it completely with parchment paper, ensuring the entire surface is smooth and flat.

Step 2: Combine Dry Crunch Elements

Gather your rice crispy cereal and pretzels into a large mixing bowl, creating a delightful base for your no-bake treats.

Step 3: Create Creamy Peanut Butter Blend

In a spacious saucepan, mix together:
  • Peanut butter
  • Sugar
  • Corn syrup

Heat the ingredients over medium temperature, stirring consistently until the mixture transforms into a silky, glossy consistency.

Step 4: Enhance Flavor Profile

Remove the pan from heat and introduce:
  • Vanilla extract
  • Sea salt

Stir these flavor boosters thoroughly into the warm peanut butter mixture.

Step 5: Fold in Crunchy Components

Gently incorporate the rice crispy cereal and pretzels into the peanut butter blend, ensuring every morsel gets a delicious coating.

Step 6: Allow Gentle Cooling

Let the mixture rest for approximately 35 minutes, giving it time to slightly cool and prevent complete chocolate chip melting.

Step 7: Sprinkle Chocolate Magic

Quickly fold in chocolate chips, mixing delicately to distribute them evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 8: Shape Delectable Treats

Using a spoon, scoop and shape the mixture onto the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet, creating individual cookie clusters.

Step 9: Set and Serve

Allow the cookies to cool completely, letting them firm up before indulging in these irresistible no-bake delights.

  • Let the mixture cool slightly before adding chocolate chips to maintain chip integrity and create delightful texture variations.
  • Sprinkle a dash of sea salt to enhance the sweet and salty profile, creating a more complex and satisfying taste experience.
  • Gently toss cereal and pretzels in the peanut butter mixture to ensure even coverage without breaking ingredients.
  • Use a spoon or cookie scoop for uniform cookie sizes, ensuring consistent shape and easy serving.
  • Refrigerate cookies briefly to help them set faster and develop a more solid, enjoyable consistency.
  • Gluten-Free Pretzel Swap: Replace traditional pretzels with gluten-free pretzels or crushed gluten-free rice cereal for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Almond Butter Alternative: Substitute peanut butter with almond butter for a different nutty flavor and potential nut allergy accommodation.
  • Vegan Chocolate Chip Option: Use dairy-free chocolate chips and swap corn syrup with maple syrup to create a completely plant-based version of the cookies.
  • Low-Sugar Modification: Replace sugar with a sugar-free sweetener like stevia or monk fruit to reduce overall sugar content for health-conscious individuals.

What Matches With Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies

  • Flavor Fusion Pairings: Match this sweet-salty no-bake cookie with complementary tastes.
  • Sip Creamy Milk: Pair with cold whole milk to balance the rich peanut butter and chocolate, creating a smooth, classic dessert experience.
  • Contrast with Espresso: Serve alongside a strong espresso shot to cut through the sweetness and highlight the cookie's nutty, crispy texture.
  • Enhance with Fruity Drink: Enjoy with a light strawberry smoothie or raspberry iced tea to add a refreshing fruity note that complements the chocolate and peanut butter flavors.

Storing Pretzel Cookies for Crunchy Bites

  • Pack completely cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining their crisp texture and delicious flavor.
  • Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 months, ensuring optimal taste and quality when stored properly.
  • Remove frozen cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Cookies will naturally return to their original texture without losing crunchiness.
  • Warm cookies gently in microwave for 5-10 seconds if desired crispness is lost. Check carefully to prevent chocolate from burning or becoming too soft.

FAQs

  • Are these cookies healthy?

While delicious, these cookies are a treat with sugar and peanut butter. They contain some protein from peanut butter and crunch from pretzels, but are best enjoyed in moderation.

  • Can I use different types of chocolate?

Absolutely! You can swap semi-sweet chocolate chips with milk, dark, or even white chocolate chips to match your taste preference.

  • What if I don't have corn syrup?

You can substitute corn syrup with honey or maple syrup. These alternatives will slightly change the flavor but work well in binding the ingredients.

  • How do I prevent the chocolate from melting completely?

Let the peanut butter mixture cool for about 35 minutes before adding chocolate chips. This helps maintain some chip structure while allowing slight melting for a swirled effect.

Print
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No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies With Chocolate Chips Recipe

No-Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies With Chocolate Chips Recipe


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4.8 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Indulgent no-bake peanut butter pretzel cookies bring together salty crunch and sweet chocolate in a quick, irresistible treat. Crisp pretzels folded into creamy peanut butter and studded with rich chocolate chips create an effortless dessert you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Cookies Ingredients:

  • 1.25 cups peanut butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup light corn syrup
  • 3 cups rice crispy cereal
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped pretzels
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1 dash sea salt
  • 1 dash sea salt (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Arrange a parchment-lined baking sheet to create a clean workspace for cookie formation.
  2. Gather rice crispy cereal and pretzels in a large mixing vessel for easy access.
  3. Combine peanut butter, sugar, and corn syrup in a spacious pan, heating to medium temperature and stirring periodically until the mixture transforms into a silky consistency.
  4. Eliminate pan from heat source and introduce vanilla extract and a delicate sprinkle of sea salt, blending thoroughly.
  5. Gently fold rice crispy cereal and pretzels into the peanut butter blend, ensuring comprehensive coating of dry ingredients.
  6. Allow mixture to rest for approximately 35 minutes, creating an optimal temperature zone that prevents complete chocolate chip liquefaction while permitting slight melting.
  7. Swiftly incorporate chocolate chips, using gentle folding techniques to distribute evenly without crushing.
  8. Utilize a spoon to portion mixture onto prepared baking sheet, crafting uniform cookie shapes.
  9. Permit cookies to stabilize and solidify at room temperature before serving, ensuring optimal texture and structural integrity.

Notes

  • Customize the sweetness by adjusting sugar levels to suit personal taste preferences.
  • Use gluten-free pretzels and rice cereal for a celiac-friendly version of these no-bake treats.
  • Prevent sticking by lightly greasing your hands or using a cookie scoop when forming cookies.
  • Enhance flavor complexity by incorporating a sprinkle of sea salt or using dark chocolate chips for a richer taste profile.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 147
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 97 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Jess Martinez

Jess Martinez

Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health

Education

Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.


Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.

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