Butter Toffee Pretzels – The Sweet-Salty Crunch That Disappears by the Handful
Some snacks are made for nibbling. This one is made for sneaking.
Butter Toffee Pretzels are that dangerously good mix of sweet, salty, buttery, and crisp — the kind you pour into a bowl for “guests” and suddenly realize you’ve been the main guest the whole time. The pretzels get coated in a glossy brown sugar butter toffee, baked until crisp, then cooled into crunchy clusters that taste like a candy shop and a snack aisle had a delicious baby.
Perfect for parties, gift bags, movie nights, and holiday tins… if they make it that far.
Butter Toffee Pretzels
Ingredients
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6 cups mini pretzels (twists or sticks)
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½ cup unsalted butter
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1 cup brown sugar (packed)
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¼ cup light corn syrup (or honey)
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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½ tsp baking soda
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Optional: flaky sea salt for topping
Optional add-ins: pecans, peanuts, or crushed pretzels on top
Instructions
1) Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spread pretzels in an even layer.
2) Make the Toffee
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In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
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Stir in brown sugar and corn syrup.
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Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly.
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Boil 2 minutes (don’t walk away).
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Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
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Stir in baking soda (it will foam — that’s normal).
3) Coat the Pretzels
Pour warm toffee over pretzels. Toss carefully until evenly coated.
4) Bake
Bake for 45–60 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes so coating is even and crisp.
5) Cool
Spread pretzels back into an even layer and cool completely.
Break into clusters and serve.
Why This Recipe Works
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Baking soda aerates the toffee so it coats evenly
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Low oven temp dries and crisps without burning
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Sweet-to-salty balance makes it addictive
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Perfect for gifting because it stays crunchy
Tips for Perfect Butter Toffee Pretzels
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Stir constantly while boiling to avoid scorching
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Don’t skip the baking soda (it helps the coating)
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Cool fully before storing so they stay crisp
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If you want extra crunch, bake the full hour
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Finish with flaky sea salt for “fancy” snack vibes
Serving Ideas
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Snack bowls for parties
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Holiday tins and gift bags
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Movie-night mix with popcorn
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Crumbled over ice cream
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Add chocolate drizzle after cooling
FAQ – Butter Toffee Pretzels
How long do they stay crunchy?
Stored airtight, they stay crisp for up to 1 week.
Can I use different pretzels?
Yes. Twists, sticks, or snaps all work — just keep the total volume about the same.
Why did my coating turn grainy?
The sugar may not have dissolved fully or the mixture was overheated. Keep the boil short and stir well.
Can I freeze butter toffee pretzels?
Yes. Freeze in a sealed bag up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp.
