Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles Recipe

Name: Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffle Bites
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy, your choice); 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (room temperature.); ¼ cup light brown sugar; 2 tablespoons Confectioner’s sugar; 1 ½ cups finely chopped pretzels; ½ cup graham cracker crumbs; 2 cups milk chocolate (chopped); 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening

If you love salty-sweet, chocolate-covered pretzels, or potato chips dipped in chocolate then these peanut butter pretzel bites are for you. They are reminiscent of a Butterfinger bar in one, easy bite.

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Salty pretzels and sweet chocolate are a perfect combination. Best of all, they're super easy and only take about 10 minutes to make.

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Finished pretzel bites cut in half to show the creamy interior.

These easy peanut butter pretzel bites are perfect for snacks or giving as gifts.

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....they were all gone within a half hour
🗝️ Key takeaways
🧾 Ingredients
📖 Variations
🔪 Instructions
🥫 Storage
💭 Things to know
👩‍🍳 FAQs
📚 Related recipes
📞 The last word
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

....they were all gone within a half hour

Brought them to work as a thank you to my staff....they were all gone within a half hour. THANK you as always for your excellent inspiration and awesome fun recipes!!!

Judi

🗝️ Key takeaways

These Little bites of decadence only take about ten minutes of active prep time.
Homemade candies are great for gifts and holidays but they're also delicious as a snack anytime.
Read the Things to know section carefully for tips on melting the chocolate and keeping it smooth! Perfect every time.

Homemade peanut butter truffles make a perfect gift during the holiday season for those family members who seem to already have everything. Plus, they’re a great snack to keep on hand when you just need a little special indulgence.

🧾 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

📖 Variations

If you prefer a truffle that’s less sweet, you can use dark chocolate or semi-sweet, too.
On the other hand, some people like to use white chocolate, especially since you can tint it in different colors. However, be aware that white tends to be sweeter than milk chocolate.
If you have coconut oil instead of shortening on hand, you can use that to thin the chocolate coating. Vegetable oil also works in a pinch!
After the initial chocolate coating sets, drizzle the truffles with some melted milk or white chocolate. Then, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, sprinkles, or some more pretzel bits for a fun finishing touch. They’ll rival chocolates from a fancy pastry shop!

🔪 Instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Step by step images showing how to make pretzel bites.

Mix the ingredients together - except for the chocolate and Crisco.
Form into small balls and freeze.
Melt the Crisco into the chocolate chips. Stir until smooth.
Dip the chilled peanut butter balls into the chocolate. Let set.

🥫 Storage

Store chocolate truffles in an airtight container with wax paper or parchment paper between the layers. You can refrigerate them for at least two weeks or freeze them for a few months.

Make sure the refrigerator is odor free, though, since chocolate absorbs weird flavors quickly. Pop a new box of baking soda in the fridge if you’re worried!

Unless you like your sweets cold (your choice!) I’d recommend thawing frozen peanut butter pretzel truffles in the fridge for a few hours. Then, for best results, let refrigerated truffles come to room temperature for one to two hours.

Overhead view of the finished candy on a tray.

💭 Things to know

Expert Tip: High-quality chocolate is key when making delicious truffles. Look at the package and aim for at least 60% cocoa solids when choosing milk chocolate (with dark, look for 85%.)

Chop the pretzels finely, but don’t obliterate them into dust. You still want to be able to see small bits of crushed pretzels pieces.
Pulse the pretzels in a food processor a few times to chop them up easily and quickly. Otherwise, just use a sharp knife.
Use forceful, downward motions when cutting the chocolate. Start at one corner (an angle) rather than a flat side to get smaller shards.
Water and chocolate don’t mix—that’s chocolate 101. So, make sure your tools are completely dry. Otherwise, your chocolate will seize up and be ruined.
For more even melting, swap the microwave for a double boiler. Just be sure to continually stir the chocolate and don’t let the boiling water touch the bottom of the bowl.
Don’t overheat your chocolate! Be sure to stir it every 30 seconds, stopping once it’s just melted.
Don’t skip the shortening (or equivalent swap) when making the coating. It helps give your truffles an enticingly smooth, shiny finish.
I like to form and freeze the truffles on a baking sheet. Not only does the metal get really cold and help the chocolates chill, but the rim keeps the truffles on in case they slide around a bit during transfer. Nothin’ worse than losing chocolate to the floor! Tragic!
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper for easy cleanup.
Use a small cookie scoop to portion out evenly sized peanut butter pretzel truffles.
Two forks come in handy when dipping the truffles so your fingers don’t get all messy!

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Can I use semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate bars?

Chocolate chips aren’t made to melt super well in order to hold their shape in things like cookies and muffins. Thus, when making smooth, creamy truffles, chocolate bars are preferred. That way, you don’t risk overheating/scalding/burning the chocolate trying to get it all to melt.

Can I substitute chocolate melting wafers for the coating?

When working with only a few, simple ingredients, you really want the best flavor possible to shine through. Melting wafers are easy to use, but they can taste a little waxy and artificial. I’d highly recommend you use real chocolate.

Do I need a truffle form or mold to shape these?

Nope! Our truffles are hand-rolled. I think it’s a better way to do it than buying new equipment that you’ll only use once or twice a year. Nobody has the storage room for that!

Help! Why is my chocolate cracking when I dip the frozen balls into it?

If there is too much of a difference in temperature between the truffle balls and the melted chocolate, the coating can crack as it dries. Be sure to let your melted chocolate cool down a bit before dipping the truffles in.

I need some ideas for sharing my truffles!

Besides the end-of-year holidays, I like to share truffles on Valentine’s day with my "gal-entines" (the important ladies in my life!) You can also take them to a bake sale, or share them as teacher’s gifts. Peanut butter pretzel truffles are one of my favorite recipes to make in advance and give as last-minute hostess gifts or bring to spur-of-the-moment get-togethers.

Dark Chocolate Truffles are decadent with deep, rich flavor—plus, they’re much cheaper than buying from a fancy-schmancy chocolatier!
Stepping away from the dark side, Lemon White Chocolate Lavender Truffles are creamy and smooth with a delicious tang of zest!
A show-stopping, one-bite treat that’ll have everyone sneaking back to the dessert table—add Boozy Chocolate Covered Cherries to your menu now!

Close up of one of the finished candies.

📞 The last word

Not many people make homemade candy anymore. Maybe it's because it's so easy to buy.

Homemade candy is an extra-special treat that are welcome on just about any occasion.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

Closeup of finished pretzel bites cut in half to show the creamy interior. Feature image.

5 from 2 votes

Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffle Bites

Print Pin Recipe Save

Course Candy

Cuisine American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 10

Servings:

Calories:185

Author:Marye Audet-White

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Ingredients

Truffles

▢ 1 cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy, your choice
▢ 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature.
▢ ¼ cup light brown sugar
▢ 2 tablespoons Confectioner’s sugar
▢ 1 ½ cups finely chopped pretzels
▢ ½ cup graham cracker crumbs

Chocolate Coating

▢ 2 cups milk chocolate, chopped
▢ 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening

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Instructions

Truffles

Blend the peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, and Confectioner’s sugar in the bowl of a stand mixture until smooth and well mixed.
With the mixer running on low speed, slowly pour in the pretzels and graham cracker crumbs.
Blend until smooth and you can form balls of it with your hands.
Form tablespoon sized balls and place on a cookie sheet.
Freeze until very firm, about 30 minutes.
Dip the balls in the melted chocolate.
Store in the refrigerator in a tightly covered container.

Chocolate Coating

Add the chocolate and the vegetable shortening to a microwave safe bowl
Melt on 50% power for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. (you may not need the whole 2 minutes.)

Notes

Storage:

Store chocolate truffles in an airtight container with wax paper or parchment paper between the layers.

You can refrigerate them for at least two weeks or freeze them for a few months.

Make sure the refrigerator is odor free, though, since chocolate absorbs weird flavors quickly. Pop a new box of baking soda in the fridge if you’re worried!

For best results, let refrigerated truffles come to room temperature for one to two hours.

Tips:

Water and chocolate don’t mix—that’s chocolate 101. So, make sure your tools are completely dry. Otherwise, your chocolate will seize up and be ruined.

For more even melting, swap the microwave for a double boiler. Just be sure to continually stir the chocolate and don’t let the boiling water touch the bottom of the bowl.

Don’t overheat your chocolate! Be sure to stir it every 30 seconds, stopping once it’s just melted.

Don’t skip the shortening (or equivalent swap) when making the coating. It helps give your truffles an enticingly smooth, shiny finish.

I like to form and freeze the truffles on a baking sheet. Not only does the metal get really cold and help the chocolates chill, but the rim keeps the truffles on in case they slide around a bit during transfer. Nothin’ worse than losing chocolate to the floor! Tragic!

Use a small cookie scoop to portion out evenly sized peanut butter pretzel truffles.
Make sure there's no water in the bowl or on the utensils you're using when melting chocolate. It will seize up and you'll have to throw it out.

You'll find more helpful tips and variations in the body of the post.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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First published October 10, 2016. Last updated August 5, 2023 for editorial improvements.

Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites