If you’ve been looking for a snack that’s super simple yet totally addictive, you’ve got to try my Easy Pretzel Hugs with M&Ms Recipe. I absolutely love how these sweet and salty bites come together with just three ingredients and minimal effort — perfect for when you want a quick treat that everyone will rave about.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Easy to Make: Just three ingredients and a few minutes in the oven make this a no-fuss snack you can whip up anytime.
- Perfect Sweet and Salty Combo: The crunchy pretzels balanced with melty chocolate and colorful M&Ms are irresistible.
- Family and Party Favorite: Whether it’s a last-minute dessert or party appetizer, these bites disappear fast.
- Great for All Ages: Kids love helping make them, and adults love eating them—win-win!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Easy Pretzel Hugs with M&Ms Recipe lies in its simplicity — every ingredient plays its part perfectly, creating a delightful combination of textures and flavors.
- Pretzels: I like using circle or square-shaped pretzels because their flat surfaces hold the chocolate hugs nicely.
- Hershey’s Kisses Hugs: These are the star — the white and milk chocolate “Hugs” melt beautifully and taste amazing with the pretzels.
- M&Ms: Choose classic rainbow or even seasonal colors to add a fun pop and extra chocolatey flavor on top.
Variations
I love that this recipe is totally flexible — you can easily make it your own with just a few tweaks.
- Use Different Chocolate: When I’m feeling adventurous, I swap the Hugs for milk chocolate or even peanut butter kisses, which add a whole new flavor dimension.
- Seasonal M&Ms: Around holidays, I like using themed M&Ms — like red and green for Christmas or pastel colors for Easter.
- Nut Toppings: After pressing the M&M into the melted chocolate, sprinkle chopped nuts for a bit of crunch and extra flavor – my family goes crazy for this twist.
- Healthier Option: Swap pretzels for whole wheat or gluten-free varieties if needed — the method stays the same, and the flavor’s just as good.
How to Make Easy Pretzel Hugs with M&Ms Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Begin by preheating your oven to 250°F (121°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking — this little prep step saves you cleanup later, trust me!
Step 2: Arrange Pretzels and Add Hugs
Place your pretzels evenly spaced on the lined sheet. Unwrap each Hershey’s Kiss Hugs and place one gently on top of each pretzel. Don’t rush this part — it helps keep the chocolate from spreading too much while melting.
Step 3: Melt the Chocolate Hugs
Pop the baking sheet in the oven and watch closely as the Hugs begin to melt — this usually takes around 4 minutes for me. You’re aiming for the chocolate to soften and slightly flatten without melting into a puddle.
Step 4: Press M&Ms into Melting Chocolate
The moment you take the pretzels out of the oven, quickly but gently press one M&M onto each softened Hug. This not only adds color and flavor but helps redistribute the chocolate to create a lovely flat “hug” effect. If the chocolate isn’t quite flatting out, slide it back into the oven for 30 more seconds — I discovered this trick after a few trial runs!
Step 5: Cool and Set for the Perfect Texture
Let your pretzel hugs cool fully at room temperature, then pop them in the fridge for about 10 minutes to set the chocolate. This step is key — it helps the chocolate firm up nicely without losing that irresistible snap.
Pro Tips for Making Easy Pretzel Hugs with M&Ms Recipe
- Timing is Everything: I learned that checking the chocolate at 4 minutes is crucial — any longer and it melts too much, becoming a mess.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your Hugs aren’t cold from the fridge before baking, or they take longer to melt evenly.
- Press Gently: When adding M&Ms, don’t push down hard; just enough to spread the melted chocolate — this keeps the pretzel from breaking.
- Don’t Skip the Chill: Setting in the fridge makes a major difference in texture and helps the snacks hold together when eating.
How to Serve Easy Pretzel Hugs with M&Ms Recipe
Garnishes
While I usually keep it simple, I sometimes sprinkle a little flaky sea salt over the melted chocolate before adding the M&M for a gourmet touch. It really amplifies the sweet-salty balance and looks pretty too!
Side Dishes
These Easy Pretzel Hugs work great alongside a bowl of fresh fruit or a creamy dip like peanut butter or Nutella for guests who want to mix up their snacking experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like arranging these pretzel hugs on a tiered dessert stand with colorful ribbon and small signs labeling flavors or variations. It feels festive and makes it hard for people to resist grabbing a few!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover pretzel hugs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. From my experience, they stay crunchy and fresh for about 3-4 days, making them perfect for nibbling throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to prepare a big batch ahead, freezing works well! Just layer the pretzel hugs between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready, thaw them out in the fridge overnight for best results.
Reheating
I usually skip reheating since the pretzel hugs are just as good cold, but if you prefer warm, pop them in a low-temp oven (around 200°F) for 2-3 minutes — watch carefully so the chocolate doesn’t melt too much.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of pretzels for this recipe?
Absolutely! While I prefer circle or square pretzels because they hold the chocolate better, small twist pretzels or sticks can work too — just expect a slightly different texture and shape.
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Can I use other candies instead of M&Ms?
Yes! You can substitute with mini peanut butter cups, Reese’s Pieces, or even small chocolate chips. Keep in mind, different candies melt differently, so keep an eye on the process.
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How long do Easy Pretzel Hugs with M&Ms last?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they last about 3-4 days. After that, the pretzels may lose some crunch, so I recommend enjoying them fresh whenever possible.
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Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
You sure can! Use gluten-free pretzels instead of regular ones. The rest of the recipe stays the same – just double-check your candy ingredients for any gluten content.
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What’s the easiest way to melt the chocolate evenly?
Melting the chocolate gently in the oven on a low temperature, as described in my recipe, gives the best control and prevents burning. Avoid microwave melting unless you watch it closely in short bursts.
Final Thoughts
I have to say, this Easy Pretzel Hugs with M&Ms Recipe holds a special place in my snack arsenal — it’s just so easy and crowd-pleasing. Every time I make a batch, it disappears before I even get a chance to snap a photo! I hope you give it a try and find it as irresistible as I do. It’s the perfect sweet and salty little treat to brighten up your day or add some fun to your next get-together.
Print
Easy Pretzel Hugs with M&Ms Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 pieces
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Pretzel Hugs are a delightful treat combining the salty crunch of pretzels with the creamy melt of Hershey’s Kisses and the colorful, fruity bite of M&Ms. This easy-to-make snack is perfect for parties or a sweet snack any time, blending sweet and salty flavors into one addictive bite.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 24 circle or square-shaped pretzels
- 24 Hershey’s Kisses Hugs
- 24 M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 250°F (121°C) to gently melt the chocolate without burning it.
- Prepare the baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Arrange the pretzels in a single layer on the sheet.
- Melt the chocolate: Unwrap each Hershey’s Kisses Hugs and place one on top of each pretzel. Put the baking sheet in the oven for about 4 minutes until the chocolate starts to melt and soften.
- Prepare your toppings: While the kisses are melting, get your M&Ms ready – you’ll need to work quickly for the next step.
- Add the M&Ms: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and gently press an M&M onto the center of each melted chocolate kiss. The chocolate should flatten out under the pressure. If it doesn’t, pop the sheet back into the oven for another 30 seconds to soften more.
- Cool and set: Let the pretzel hugs cool at room temperature briefly, then refrigerate them for about 10 minutes to allow the chocolate to fully set and harden.
Notes
- Once you pop, you really won’t stop. These easy Pretzel Hugs are sweet, salty, and addictive.
- Use silicone baking mats or parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Make sure to work quickly after removing from the oven to shape the chocolate before it hardens.
- Store leftover pretzel hugs in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerated for longer freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
