Name: Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups mini pretzels, crushed; 1 cup unsalted butter; 1 cup brown sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips; Flaky sea salt, for topping

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A no-bake dream come true, these Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars are the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy. With layers of crushed pretzels, homemade caramel, and rich melted chocolate, every bite delivers a satisfying crunch and gooey sweetness that’s impossible to resist. I love how simple and fast they are to make, making them my go-to treat for parties or whenever I need a quick caramel fix.

Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

4 cups mini pretzels, crushed

1 cup unsalted butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon sea salt

1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Flaky sea salt, for topping

Directions

I line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

In a saucepan over medium heat, I melt the butter and brown sugar, stirring constantly until it starts to boil.

I let it boil for 3 minutes while continuing to stir, then remove it from the heat and mix in the vanilla extract and sea salt.

I stir the crushed pretzels into the caramel mixture until well coated.

I press the pretzel-caramel mixture evenly into the prepared pan and let it cool for about 10–15 minutes.

In a microwave-safe bowl, I melt the chocolate chips in 20-second bursts, stirring each time until smooth.

I pour the melted chocolate over the base and spread it out evenly.

Then I sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top.

I refrigerate the bars for at least 1 hour until firm.

Once set, I cut them into squares and serve.

Servings and timing

Servings: 12 bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal per bar

Variations

Nutty twist: I sometimes add chopped pecans or almonds to the pretzel mixture for added crunch.

Peanut butter swirl: A few spoonfuls of peanut butter swirled into the melted chocolate makes the top extra decadent.

White chocolate version: I swap semi-sweet chips with white chocolate for a sweeter spin.

Gluten-free: I use gluten-free pretzels to make this recipe celiac-friendly.

Espresso salt: A pinch of espresso-infused salt over the top gives these bars a gourmet upgrade.

Storage/Reheating

I store these bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. If I want to soften them a bit before eating, I let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. For longer storage, I freeze the bars (cut into squares) and thaw as needed — they keep well for up to 2 months. No reheating needed!

FAQs

What kind of pretzels should I use?

I usually go with mini twists or sticks because they’re easy to crush and pack well into the bars.

Can I use store-bought caramel?

While I prefer making the caramel from scratch for better flavor, store-bought caramel can work in a pinch. Just make sure it’s thick enough to hold the pretzels together.

How do I keep the chocolate layer smooth?

I make sure to melt the chocolate in short bursts and stir thoroughly between each — this prevents burning and keeps it silky.

Can I double the recipe?

Absolutely. I double all the ingredients and use a 9x13-inch pan instead of 8x8. The chill time may increase slightly.

Why is my caramel grainy?

Grainy caramel usually means the sugar crystallized. I stir constantly and avoid high heat to keep it smooth.

Conclusion

These Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars are the ultimate no-bake dessert — easy, crave-worthy, and guaranteed to impress. Whether I make them for a holiday platter, an after-school snack, or just a quiet night in, they always hit the sweet spot. Once I tried them, they instantly became a staple in my recipe collection.

📖 Recipe:

Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars

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Author: Cheryl
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 12 bars
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Salted Caramel Pretzel Bars are a no-bake treat combining sweet, salty, and crunchy layers of crushed pretzels, homemade caramel, and rich chocolate. Easy to make and perfect for sharing or enjoying solo.