Description
Quick and easy no-bake salted caramel pretzel bars with a crunchy base, gooey peanut butter caramel, and rich chocolate topping. Perfect for a sweet treat without the oven.
Ingredients
2 cups pretzel sticks
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- Crush the pretzel sticks in a mixing bowl, leaving some chunks for texture.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine peanut butter, brown sugar, and butter. Stir for 3–5 minutes until smooth and melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour caramel mixture over the crushed pretzels and stir until well coated.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared dish to form an even layer.
- Melt chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring until smooth.
- Pour melted chocolate over the bars and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle sea salt over the chocolate layer.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until chocolate is set.
- Lift the bars out using parchment paper, slice into squares, and serve.
Notes
Use almond or cashew butter for a flavor variation.
Whole mini pretzels create a crunchier base.
Dark chocolate chips add a deeper cocoa flavor.
A drizzle of white chocolate makes a festive topping.
Mini marshmallows can be added before the chocolate layer for extra indulgence.
Bars can be stored in the fridge for up to a week or frozen for up to two months.
Let bars sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before slicing to avoid cracking the chocolate.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
