When sweet meets salty, and crunchy meets gooey, you get a dessert bar that’s impossible to resist. These Salted Chocolate and Caramel Pretzel Bars strike the perfect balance between indulgent and addictive. With layers of buttery caramel, salty pretzels, and rich dark chocolate, they offer a satisfying contrast of textures and flavors in every bite.
Whether you’re planning a party, making treats for the holidays, or just want something sweet to snack on, this recipe delivers. It’s no-bake, easy to make, and doesn’t require any fancy equipment or ingredients. Just a few pantry staples and a little bit of layering go a long way.
The base of crushed pretzels provides a salty crunch that sets the tone. A layer of chewy, golden caramel comes next, followed by a glossy dark chocolate topping. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt at the end takes the flavor over the top.
These bars are great for gifting, too. They cut cleanly, hold their shape well, and keep beautifully in the fridge. Plus, they look as good as they taste—making them perfect for dessert platters or wrapped as edible gifts.
You can also tweak the recipe to suit your preferences. Use milk chocolate if you prefer something sweeter, or try peanut butter chips for a different take. You can even add chopped nuts or a swirl of nut butter to the chocolate layer.
And if you’re looking to make dessert with kids, this recipe is a great pick. It doesn’t involve hot ovens or complicated techniques, and everyone can help with the layering.
These bars are rich, so small squares go a long way. But don’t be surprised if they disappear fast. That irresistible mix of sweet, salty, and crunchy is hard to beat.
Servings: 16 bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups mini pretzels, crushed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce or soft caramels melted with 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 1/2 cups dark or semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter
- Flaky sea salt, for garnish
Instructions:
- Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix crushed pretzels with melted butter and brown sugar. Press into the pan firmly to form an even base.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the pretzel crust. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden (or skip baking for a softer texture).
- While crust cools slightly, warm caramel sauce until pourable and spread over the crust layer.
- Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil until smooth. Spread over the caramel layer evenly.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Chill in fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting into squares.
Tips:
- For clean cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe it between slices.
- Store bars in the fridge and serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.
- Add chopped pecans or almonds for extra crunch.
- You can use a mix of dark and milk chocolate for a balanced flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- No-bake (or optional short bake) and super easy.
- Perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy.
- Crowd-pleasing and ideal for parties or gifts.
- Easy to customize and make ahead.
Salted Chocolate and Caramel Pretzel Bars combine buttery pretzels, gooey caramel, and smooth chocolate into the ultimate treat. Simple to make and absolutely delicious, they’re a go-to dessert for any occasion.
