A super easy treat with only three ingredients: pretzels, Rolo caramels, and pecan halves or M&Ms. Sweet and salty Rolo pretzels are irresistible!
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: This recipe is so easy to make and everyone loves them.
How long it takes: 10 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: baking pan, oven
Servings: Makes 35
Rolo pretzels are beyond easy to make and taste oh-so-delicious.
This isn’t an original idea. I’m sure you’ve probably had one of these delicious little bites already but it’s one of those treats that maybe you think, huh! I wonder how those are made.
They are easy, easy, easy! If you buy the unwrapped Rolos (yes, they are available!), these treats are even easier to make. Really, the most time-consuming part is unwrapping those individually wrapped chocolate covered caramels.
Kids love to make them. If you have kids in the kitchen, they’d be glad to perform this task for you. (Beware, you may lose a few of the candies in the process!) The kids love to help out and it’s an easy project that they can participate in. It’s fun to whip up a batch or two of these goodies and make special deliveries to the neighbors. (P.S. Chocolate covered marshmallows are another kid-friendly treat.)
Rolo pretzels are a crowd-pleaser. Who doesn’t love caramel, chocolate and a little salty crunch? If you’re a turtle fan, you’re going to love these! They look just right on a Christmas cookie platter with sand tart cookies, Brigadeiros (Brazilian fudge balls), gingersnaps with white chocolate, and chocolate peppermint kiss cookies.
About These Rolo Pretzels
Just three ingredients. As you can probably guess from the photos, you only need three ingredients: Rolos, pretzels, and pecan halves. You can mix it up and substitute colorful M&M’s for the pecans, or even another pretzel to make sandwiches. Some people are really creative and make little red-nosed reindeer.
Make as many as you want. You can make just a few or make a thousand of them. It depends on how many Rolo candies you have.
What You’ll Need
- Rolos: a chocolate covered caramel candy. You can buy a bag of them, individually wrapped in foil or unwrapped. A 7.6 oz. bag contains about 35 unwrapped candies.
- Pretzels: Bite-sized mini pretzels form the base of the treat. Waffle pretzels are perfect for this job. If you have pretzels left over, make my kitchen sink cookies!
- Pecan Halves: Pecans are found in traditional turtles ( caramel and pecans, covered in chocolate). Toast the pecans first for the best flavor. You could also use M&M’s, or some of each, like we did for the pictures!
How To Make Rolo Pretzels
Here’s how these delicious candy bites come together:
Get your oven preheating to 350°F. Toast the pecans if you want. I always do because they taste so much better when they’re toasted.
Unwrap the Rolos if you bought the wrapped variety.
Arrange the pretzels on a baking sheet (lined with parchment paper if you like).
Top each pretzel with a Rolo and pop them into the oven for just four minutes.
Immediately, while the Rolos are still soft and warm, press a pecan half or M&M in the center. Cool and enjoy!
Toasting Pecans
An easy way to toast the pecans is to use your microwave. Spread the pecans on a large plate, and microwave for about 45 seconds. This simple step really enhances the flavor of the pecans.A Rolo is a milk chocolate covered caramel. Go to Hershey’s website for a complete ingredient list. You’ll also find allergen information.
Make It Your Own
- M&M Rolo Pretzels: Substitute colorful M&Ms for the pecan halves. Red and green M&Ms are very festive for Christmas. Use red, pink, and white M&Ms for Valentine’s Day or team colors for the big game day.
- Rolo Pretzel Sandwiches: Omit the pecan half and use another pretzel on top.
- Rolo Pretzel Reindeer: Use mini pretzels (tiny twists) that are heart-shaped knots for the base. Add a red M & M for a nose and googly eye candies for the eyes. Break a pretzel in half and poke the halves into each side for the antlers.
- Walnut Rolo Pretzels: Substitute a toasted walnut half for the pecan.
- Microwave Rolo Pretzels: If you don’t want to turn on the oven, a microwave oven works just great. The recipe card below has instructions.
Store Rolo pretzels, once they’ve completely cooled, in an airtight container for up to a week. There’s no need to refrigerate them unless your kitchen is very warm.
Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the Rolo pretzels in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months.
Looking for more easy treats?
Life can be complicated around the holidays so stock up on some easy-to-make treats. Try:
- Best Rice Krispie Treats — this is a classic recipe that I’ve improved on.
- Christmas Tree Rice Krispie Treats — look impressive, but are super easy.
- Snowman Oreo Pops
- Christmas Tree Brownie Bites
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars
- Perfect M&M Cookies — use festive green and red M&Ms
- Blondies — So easy to stir up, and you can be creative with add-ins.
- Cool Whip Cookies (only 4 ingredients)
Rolo Pretzels Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 bag (7.6 oz.) Rolos (chocolate covered caramels) (see note)
- 1 bag waffle style pretzels
- 35 toasted pecan halves (see notes) or M&Ms, or a combination (see notes for more suggestions)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Unwrap the Rolos, if you purchased the foil-wrapped ones.
- Arrange pretzels on a baking sheet and top each with a Rolo.
- Bake approximately 4 minutes or until the Rolo is melty. Remove from oven.
- Press in pecan or M&M candy while Rolos are still soft. Enjoy! Makes 35 treats.
Notes
- Skip the unwrapping process! Rolos Unwrapped are now available in 7.6-oz. bags. There are approximately 35 individual candies in the bag.
- Toast the pecans (optional). For best flavor, lightly toast the pecans before adding them. Arrange on a large plate and microwave for 45 seconds. Cool slightly.
- Make Rolo Pretzels in the microwave: Line a microwave safe plate with parchment paper. Arrange pretzels (as many as can fit) on plate and top with unwrapped Rolo. Microwave at 50% for 30 seconds or until caramel has softened. If needed, microwave an additional 10 seconds. Remove and top with desired topping.
- Topping suggestions: Instead of pecan halves, try colorful M & Ms that match a theme, toasted walnut halves, or another pretzel (to make a Rolo pretzel sandwich).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
These are one of my favorites!
I haven’t made these in a couple years….I definitely need to bring these back into my Christmas rotation. Fabulous photos!
A friend makes pretzel sandwiches like this. I love the thought of tossing out one of the pretzel sides and adding the pecan. These are an ultimate comfort food for sure! Happy Holidays!
I need to make these and then eat a million of them! I don’t think I could resist eating them all, haha! Mmmm. And you make them look even better with your gorgeous photos. :)
My mom introduced me to these this year. They are so addicting!
I love that conversation with you and your hubby, LOL! I have to agree, why change something so yummy and delicious:-) They look so fun to make too! Hugs, Terra
Yum! I love quick and simple desserts to make with the kids! Love the picture witht the Christmas tree in the background, beautiful!
Salty and sweet. Sold. Time to brave the store…again.
Wow…I must make these immediately.
Oh these do look easy and believe it or not, it is NEW TO ME. So as far as I am concerned, YOU are the genius who invented this wonderfulness. I am having a group of teens over tonight for a party (a last minute, decided yesterday at 9:00pm party) so I am more than grateful to have these little delights to put out. I am going to the store now (6:43am my time!) and will pick up rolos. I will try not to eat a handful as I unwrap the little beasts. Please, please have a very fabulous Christmas with your hubby, and little girl. Love, peace and happiness are sent your way. PS…still having oodles of trouble with WWF. What is up?