It doesn't matter if you call them Toffee Pretzels, Butter Toffee Pretzels or Sweet and Spicy Pretzels (which is what I have always called them). call them what you like, they are so tasty, make a great snack or food gift and they are easy to make!!
Looking for that perfect sweet & spicy crunchy bite? A snack not overly sweet yet satisfying. These Butter Toffee Pretzels are just the thing! The only think better than eating them is how simple they are to make!
This Toffee Pretzel recipe is fabulous to put in cute jars with a tag for a co-worker, host/hostess, bus driver, teacher gift, etc. It's an easy and appreciated food gift anyone can make!
Table of Contents
Can I Make These Gluten Free?
YES!! Just use gluten free pretzels, winning!
Ingredients
- Pretzels
- Butter
- Brown Sugar
- Garlic Powder
- Red Pepper (cayenne)
- Bourbon (optional) or vanilla
- Spiced Sugar (optional)
Above, coated pretzels ready to go on baking sheets.
Variations
- I enjoy the sweet and heat combo. Feel free to only add a pinch of cayenne if you don't enjoy a little spiciness. Or leave it out altogether.
- Use my Spiced Sugar in addition to the brown sugar for a hint of amazing vanilla/cinnamon/cardamom spice. As I toss the pretzels, I sprinkle some of it overtop. And again as I remove them from the oven, YUM! The Spiced Sugar also makes its own fabulous food gift as well!
- If not adding spiced sugar add a couple of shakes of cinnamon and or cardamom. If you have vanilla sugar, add a sprinkle of that a couple times as you stir and when you pull the pretzels out from the oven as well.
- Add the suggested bourbon for a unique flavor or instead add a splash of vanilla.
- If you really want these pretzels to be candied pretzels, halve the amount of pretzels used. Keep the rest of the ingredients the same. Place coating ingredients in a small saucepan, bring to a boil and then toss with pretzels, immediately placing them into the oven as directed. That gives double the coating with the stove helping the mixture along.
- Change up the type of pretzel used as you wish. Just be gentle tossing with mixture if your pretzels are thinner.
One of the things I really like about this Toffee Pretzel Recipe is the cayenne pepper. Cayenne has so many benefits and its not like you will eat it on its own, so having it in a nice snack that you know exactly what's in the coating of the pretzels is is something I really like.
Cayenne pepper is rich in nutrients like vitamins C and A, it can help boost metabolism, aid in digestion, support heart health and improve blood circulation. Plus its a great source of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. I like to add a little extra!
Toffee Pretzel Making Tips
- For extra crunchy pretzels, first place them on 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 300 for 15 minutes. Then toss with the mixture and bake as instructed.
- Really get your pretzels coated well, and use parchment paper or a silicone mat. Do not put these directly on your pan, you'll end up with a mess.
- Make sure you do stir the pretzels around 2x while they bake to ensure even coating.
- You can make 2 flavors with one recipe as shown here, just halve the mixture recipe and change it up as suggested in variations. Pouring one half of pretzels with each.
- When storing, keep your pretzels in 2 separate storage jars/containers or bags. That was as you go in and snack the other container/bag will stay fresher longer undisturbed.
Storage
Store in jars, containers or gallon baggies, pressing out the air before sealing. If you have a jar vacuum sealer, that will ensure the longest freshness possible. They come in so handy for all the snacks and spices!
Packaging Ideas
Package these Sweet & Spicy Pretzels in small decorative bags with ribbon. Or in large or small Mason or Weck Jars. You can always put a cute natural or decorative string around the jar with recipe attached. I have included jars I like in the recipe card notes below.
Recipe originally posted in December, 2009. Updated November, 2025. I have a few Amazon affiliate links in the recipe card below, I may receive a small commission if something I suggest is purchased by you.
Easy Food Gifts You Can Make
Colleen Kennedy is the author of 3 cookbooks and has appeared on QVC and other shows inspiring home cooks of all levels. She has a popular TikTok channel @ColleensCooking with hundreds of short recipe videos. Colleen lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and kids, she started the food blog, Soufflé Bombay in 2009. Read more about her here.
Butter Toffee Pretzels
Ingredients
- 1 bag pretzels (mini or snap pretzels work best) 16 to 19 ounces
- 1 cup melted butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 3 TBS bourbon (or 1 TBS vanilla)
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon red (cayenne) pepper or more
Instructions
- Combine everything but the pretzels in a large mixing bowl and stir until fully incorporated.
- Add pretzels to the bowl and toss until they are all coated.
- Place pretzels onto 2 parchment paper lined baking sheets and bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes, stirring a couple times as they bake. Also rotate the trays.
- After 20-25 minutes, pretzels will have absorbs most of the liquid. Remove from oven, and allow to cool completely.
- Some pretzels will stick together (they are my favorites).
- Once fully cooled, keep in an air-tight container like a large mason jar or gallon bag until ready to enjoy.
Monica H says
A nice treat and alternative to all the sweet stuff during the holidays.