Get ready to score a major touchdown with your snack game! These football pretzel bites are the perfect treat for any game day celebration. They combine that irresistible salty-sweet crunch into a fun, themed appetizer that’s incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party or just enjoying the game with family, this recipe is a guaranteed winner. You only need a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time to create a snack that looks as good as it tastes.
We’re going to walk through every step, from melting the chocolate perfectly to piping on those iconic white laces. Let’s get started!
Creating the football shape is easy with a simple spoon.
Why These Football Pretzel Bites Are a Touchdown
There are so many reasons to love this simple recipe. First, they are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, perfect for guests of all ages. The combination of salty pretzels with rich, smooth chocolate is a classic for a reason. Plus, their festive football shape makes them a decorative centerpiece for your snack table. They are a fantastic make-ahead option, saving you precious time on game day. For more make-ahead ideas, check out these delicious jalapeño popper pinwheels.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best parts of this recipe is the short ingredient list. You don’t need anything fancy to create these impressive treats.
Pretzel Snaps or Squares: The grid shape of these pretzels is perfect for holding a pool of chocolate and mimicking the shape of a football.
Melting Wafers: We’ll use both dark or milk chocolate and bright white melting wafers. These are essential for getting a smooth, consistent melt that hardens perfectly without needing to be tempered.
Coconut Oil or Shortening (Optional): A tiny amount can help thin the chocolate if it’s too thick, making it easier to work with.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Football Pretzel Bites
Follow these simple steps to create your own team of delicious football pretzel bites. It’s a fun activity that even kids can help with!
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This is crucial for preventing the chocolate-dipped pretzels from sticking. Arrange your pretzel snaps in a single layer on the sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate
Place the dark or milk chocolate melting wafers in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each one, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Be careful not to overheat it, as this can cause the chocolate to seize. If the chocolate seems too thick, stir in a half teaspoon of coconut oil.
You only need a few simple ingredients to make these game day treats.
Step 3: Create the Football Shape
Using a small spoon, carefully drop a spoonful of the melted dark chocolate onto the center of each pretzel. Use the back of the spoon to gently spread the chocolate into an oval or football shape, leaving the pretzel border exposed. Let these cool completely at room temperature or in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes until the chocolate is firm.
Step 4: Add the Laces
Once the dark chocolate is set, it’s time to add the iconic laces. Melt the white candy wafers using the same microwave method. Scoop the melted white chocolate into a small piping bag, a plastic sandwich bag with the corner snipped off, or a squeeze bottle. Carefully pipe one long line down the middle of the chocolate football, then add three to four smaller lines crossing it. Let them set completely.
Pro Tips for Championship-Worthy Treats
Want to make your football pretzel bites the best they can be? Here are a few expert tips:
Don’t Rush the Setting Time: Make sure each layer of chocolate is fully hardened before adding the next. This prevents the colors from smearing and ensures clean, crisp lines.
Use Melting Wafers: While you can use chocolate chips, melting wafers (like Ghirardelli or Candiquik) are specifically designed to melt smoothly and harden with a nice snap, which is ideal for this recipe.
Control Your Piping: For the best-looking laces, use a piping bag with a small, round tip (like a Wilton #2). This gives you much more control than a plastic bag.
If you’re planning a full spread, these bites go great with other easy appetizers. Try serving them alongside some savory Buffalo chicken sliders or our popular honey butter pigs in a blanket for the perfect game day menu.
Serving and Storage
These football pretzel bites are best served at room temperature. Arrange them on a platter for a fun and festive presentation. If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Avoid refrigerating them if possible, as condensation can sometimes form on the chocolate.
The best pretzels to use are ‘snaps’ or ‘windowpane’ pretzels. Their square, grid-like shape provides the perfect base for holding the chocolate in a football shape.
Absolutely! These are a great make-ahead snack. You can prepare them up to 3-4 days in advance. Just be sure to store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
Store any leftover football pretzel bites in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to a week. Avoid refrigeration, as it can cause condensation to form on the chocolate.
For the best and easiest results, we highly recommend using chocolate melting wafers (like Ghirardelli or Candiquik). They are designed to melt smoothly and harden with a nice finish without any special techniques.
If your melted chocolate is too thick to spread easily, you can stir in a very small amount (about 1/2 teaspoon) of coconut oil or vegetable shortening. This will thin it out and make it smoother.
The Perfect End to Your Game Day Menu
These football pretzel bites are more than just a snack; they’re a fun, festive, and delicious way to celebrate game day. They’re simple to make, easy to customize, and loved by everyone. We know this recipe will become a new tradition for your sports-filled weekends!
If you make these treats, we’d love to see them! Share your creations and tag us on Pinterest. For another easy dessert, don’t miss our no-bake Oreo truffles.
Get your game face on with these easy and delicious football pretzel bites!
Football Pretzel Bites Recipe
FL Recipes
Football Pretzel Bites: The Ultimate Game Day Snack
Score a touchdown at your next party with these fun and easy Football Pretzel Bites! A simple, no-bake recipe combining salty pretzels with smooth chocolate, decorated to look like mini footballs. The perfect sweet and salty snack for game day.
1bag (approx 9 oz)Pretzel Snaps or SquaresThe grid or windowpane style works best.
10ozDark or Milk Chocolate Melting WafersEnsure they are fresh for best melting.
2ozBright White Melting WafersFor the laces.
1/2tspCoconut Oil or Vegetable ShorteningOptional, to thin the chocolate if needed.
Equipment
1 Baking Sheets
Parchment Paper
2 Microwave-safe bowls
1 Piping bag or plastic baggie
Method
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange pretzels in a single layer on the sheet.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the dark chocolate wafers in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. Stir in coconut oil if the chocolate is too thick.
Spoon a small amount of melted chocolate onto the center of each pretzel. Use the back of the spoon to shape it into an oval. Let them set completely until firm (about 10-15 minutes in the fridge).
Melt the white candy wafers in a separate bowl. Transfer to a piping bag or a plastic bag with the corner snipped off. Pipe a long line down the middle of each chocolate oval, then add 3-4 shorter cross-lines.
Allow the white chocolate laces to harden completely at room temperature. Once set, they are ready to serve.
Nutrition
Calories: 45kcalProtein: 1gFat: 2gFiber: 0.5g
Notes
Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Pro Tip: Using candy melting wafers (instead of chocolate chips) will give you the best results, as they are designed to melt smoothly and harden without tempering.
Keyword chocolate pretzels,football pretzel bites,game day snacks
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
