Description
Delightful caramel apple pretzel bites combining sweet and salty flavors with a crispy pretzel base, soft caramel, fresh apple cubes, melted chocolate drizzle, and crunchy chopped peanuts. Perfect for parties or a fun snack, these bite-sized treats are easy to prepare and sure to please.
Ingredients
Pretzel Base
- 50 square pretzels (or pretzel snaps)
Toppings
- 50 caramels (unwrapped)
- 3 Granny Smith apples (cored and cut into 1-inch cubes)
- ¼ cup peanuts (finely chopped)
- ⅓ cup semisweet chocolate chips (or dark chocolate melting wafers)
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease clean-up.
- Arrange Pretzels: Lay out 50 square pretzels on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, spacing them about one inch apart to allow room for caramel expansion.
- Top with Caramel: Place one unwrapped caramel square on top of each pretzel, ensuring it sits centered for even melting.
- Bake Caramel Pretzels: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes until the caramels soften and slightly expand. Take care not to overbake to avoid caramel overflow and mess.
- Prepare Apples: While baking, core the Granny Smith apples and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Soak the apple pieces in lemon juice or saltwater to prevent browning.
- Drain Apples: After soaking, drain the apples thoroughly and pat them dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Assemble Bites: Remove the caramel pretzels from the oven and gently press one apple cube onto each softened caramel piece, ensuring it adheres well.
- Melt Chocolate: Place the semisweet chocolate chips or melting wafers in a microwave-safe piping bag. Microwave on low or defrost setting, massaging the bag intermittently until the chocolate is smooth and melted evenly.
- Drizzle Chocolate: Snip a small piece off the tip of the piping bag and drizzle the melted chocolate over each caramel apple pretzel bite artistically for enhanced flavor and appearance.
- Sprinkle Peanuts: Immediately sprinkle the finely chopped peanuts over the chocolate while it is still melted to allow them to stick and add a satisfying crunch.
- Set and Serve: Transfer the finished bites onto a clean sheet of parchment paper before the chocolate sets. Let the chocolate firm up, then carefully snap off any excess chocolate for neat presentation.
Notes
- Substitute pretzel snaps if square pretzels are unavailable.
- Soaking apples in lemon juice or saltwater helps prevent discoloration.
- Be careful not to overbake caramels to avoid spills and mess.
- Use a microwave-safe piping bag or an alternative like a small plastic bag for melting and drizzling chocolate.
- Store leftover bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain freshness.
- For a nut-free option, omit peanuts or replace with sunflower seeds.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
