Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites “Buckeyes”
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Peanut butter pretzel bite buckeyes are creamy, salty and crunchy in one bite! Peanut butter fudge is squished between two pretzels, and then dipped in rich chocolate to make easy no-bake treats that are so good. Family and friends will beg you to bring this recipe to the next party.
Table of Contents
Why We Love Peanut Butter Pretzel Bite Buckeyes
- Delicious Peanut Butter Chocolate Flavor– Sweet, salty and oh so good! The peanut butter filling sandwiched between pretzels us such a delicious combination of salty and sweet flavors.
- Easy Recipe To Make– Mix, roll and then dip or drizzle with chocolate! This peanut butter pretzel bites recipe is a no bake recipe that is pretty easy to make.
- Perfect For Dessert Trays– These little bites look so fun on a dessert tray, and are perfect for sharing with family and friends, at potlucks, or at parties and are always popular fun snacks. Peanut butter pretzels are the perfect little treat.
Try the peanut butter balls with Rice Krispies, the peanut butter cup stuffed truffles or my family’s favorite Buckeyes for more peanut butter chocolate delicious desserts! Or pair these peanut butter pretzel bites with my easy saltine cracker toffee to make a great gift.
Ingredients For Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites
- ¼ cup butter unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup peanut butter creamy peanut butter or a crunchy peanut butter but you need the no stir version. I do not recommend using a peanut butter where the oil separates for this recipe.
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 80 pieces mini pretzel twists about 3 ounces, use regular mini pretzels, square pretzels, circle pretzels, or other pretzel shapes. (I’ve seen snowflake-shaped pretzels at the holidays which would be fun.)
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips about 20 ounces, I used semi-sweet chocolate chips but dark chocolate is also delicious. Milk chocolate or white chocolate also works.
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
Making this treat for a holiday or party? You can add your favorite sprinkle for a pop of color right after you dip the pretzels in chocolate. You can also sprinkle with sea salt at the end if the pretzels aren’t quite salty enough, it’s best to taste test.
How To Dip And Make Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine together peanut butter and butter with an electric mixer on medium until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Then add vanilla and mix gently until combined.
- Add one cup powdered sugar, mixing first on the lowest setting and then on medium until combined. Add the remaining half cup powdered sugar and mix until a thick, shaggy dough forms and it is easily rolled to become the creamy peanut butter filling.
- Scoop one teaspoon balls of dough from the peanut butter mixture and roll into small balls. Press between two pretzel twists and place in a lined baking sheet. Repeat and place the baking sheet in the freezer for twenty minutes.
- In a medium microwave- safe bowl, add chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave for one minute on fifty percent power. Stir and microwave for an additional thirty seconds. Stir until smooth to melt the chocolate. If needed, microwave an additional thirty seconds and stir.
- Dip the pretzel bites halfway in the melted chocolate. Let the excess chocolate drip off then place each piece on parchment.
- Place baking sheet in the freezer for twenty minutes or until the chocolate sets, then enjoy!
What Makes These Buckeyes?
These delicious treats have all the flavor of buckeyes but wrapped around a pretzel.
Buckeyes are a peanut butter ball dipped in chocolate to look like a buckeye nut, and a really popular dessert both for the holidays and within Ohio. Homemade buckeyes are made often at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but are also given as gifts and brought to potlucks.
Buckeye flavor treats are also common. I’ve enjoyed peanut butter squares (aka Buckeye Bars), a Buckeye Milkshake and even Buckeye pie!
To learn more about buckeye treats, see my buckeye recipe here.
How Long Will Peanut Butter Pretzel Buckeyes Last?
Expect these peanut butter balls to easily last 2-3 weeks if placed in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Honestly, they are usually eaten or gifted by then in our house!
Can You Freeze Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites?
Yes, you can totally freeze these peanut butter pretzel buckeyes. In fact freezing these treats is a great way to prepare ahead for a party or the holiday season.
They will taste freshest if eaten within 2-3 months in a freezer-safe container but can last even a little longer than that in the freezer.
I suggest layering parchment paper, freezer paper or wax paper if you need to layer the peanut butter truffles in the container.
My Chocolate Seems Too Thick, What Can I Do?
You can try heating the chocolate in the microwave for an additional 30-60 seconds at half power. Sometimes heating the chocolate a little more helps to smooth it out.
If the chocolate is warm and still too thick, you can also add an extra teaspoon of oil to the chocolate to help it thin a little bit more.
Be careful not to get water or other liquid in the chocolate. Water or other liquids can cause the chocolate to seize, which will make it grainy in texture quickly. If your chocolate has seized you can use these tips.
More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
Peanut Butter Pretzel Buckeyes
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter unsalted, softened
- ½ cup peanut butter creamy no stir version
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 80 pieces mini pretzel twists about 3 ounces
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chips about 20 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix together butter and peanut butter with an electric mixer on medium until smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add vanilla and mix gently until combined.
- Add one cup powdered sugar, mixing first on the lowest setting and then on medium until combined. Add the remaining half cup of powdered sugar and mix until a thick, shaggy dough forms and it is easily rolled.
- Scoop one teaspoon balls of dough from the peanut butter mixture and roll into small balls.. Press between two pretzel twists and place in a lined baking sheet. Repeat and place the baking sheet in the freezer for twenty minutes.
- In a medium microwavable bowl, add chocolate chips and coconut oil. Microwave for one minute on fifty-precent power. Stir and microwave for an additional thirty seconds. Stir until smooth. If needed, microwave an additional thirty seconds and stir.
- Dip pretzels in the melted chocolate covering them about halfway. Let the excess chocolate drip off then place each piece on parchment.
- Place baking sheet in the freezer for twenty minutes or until the chocolate sets, then enjoy!
Notes
My Peanut Butter Dough Seems Too Sticky
If the dough is too sticky you can add more powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time up to a 1/4 cup until the dough rolls easily like playdough. Peanut butter can vary, which can occasionally cause a sticky dough.Can I Use Natural Peanut Butter For This Recipe?
I strongly recommend using a no-stir variety of peanut butter for this recipe. The oil in most natural peanut butter (the type with the oil on top) separates, which can happen in your treats also if you use natural peanut butter for this recipe. Using natural peanut butter you may need more powdered sugar to keep the dough together because the amount of oil can vary a lot.Use A Smaller But Deep Bowl For The Chocolate
It is easier to dip these chocolates if you use a heatproof bowl that is a little deeper and not as wide. This helps you to easily get half of the peanut butter pretzel dipped easily.Optional Drizzled Chocolate
If you opt for a drizzled buckeye pretzel, dip the bottom side of the pretzel into the chocolate lightly and drip off excess. Place on the parchment-lined baking sheet and drizzle with chocolate using a fork dipped in the chocolate.Nutrition
Did You Make This?
I would love to see it! Share your thoughts with me in the comments below!
