Christmas Pretzel Santa Hats
Sweet, salty, and festive, these Christmas pretzel Santa hats are the perfect no-bake Christmas treat! These bite-size snacks combine crunchy pretzels, creamy chocolate, and mini marshmallows for a fun kitchen project with kids or a quick holiday party dessert.
The holidays in our home are all about cozy moments…Christmas music playing in the background, the glow of twinkling lights, and the scent of something sweet baking in the oven. This recipe has become one of my go-to holiday traditions. It’s easy to make, fun for kids to join in, and festive enough to share with friends and family. Whether you’re baking late at night with the tree lights on or filling the kitchen with laughter during the day, it’s the kind of recipe that makes December feel truly magical.
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Ingredients You’ll Need for Pretzel Santa Hats
You only need five simple ingredients to make these bite-size snacks, no baking required!
- 40 mini pretzel twists
- 12 ounces red melting candy (or red candy melts)
- 12 ounces white melting candy
- 40 mini marshmallows
- White sugar sprinkles
💡 Pro tip: Keep parchment paper handy for easy cleanup and perfect candy setting.
How to Make Pretzel Santa Hats
Melt the red candy following package directions. Dip half of each mini pretzel twist in the red candy and place on parchment paper. Use a spatula to fill the open section with red chocolate.
Let the red layer harden completely before moving on.
Melt the white candy, then use tongs to dip the other half of each pretzel into the melted white chocolate.
Fill and decorate: Smooth the white chocolate into the open space, top with white sugar sprinkles, and press a mini marshmallow on the top center.
Cool and serve: Allow the chocolate to harden fully before serving or packaging your adorable Pretzel Santa Hats!
Pro Tips for Christmas Pretzel Santa Hats
Variations
Once you’ve mastered classic pretzel Santa hats, try these fun twists to make your festive holiday treats even more festive and personalized:
- Peppermint Santa Hats: Stir a drop of peppermint extract into the red candy melts or sprinkle crushed candy canes on top before the chocolate sets.
- Snowy Sprinkles: Swap white sugar sprinkles for shredded coconut or white nonpareils to create a “snowy” effect.
- Colorful Elf Hats: Use green and red candy melts instead of white to make playful Elf Hat Pretzels — perfect for kids’ holiday parties!
- Glitter & Gold: Add a touch of edible glitter or metallic sprinkles for extra sparkle on your dessert table.
✨ Fun idea: Mix a batch of these Pretzel Santa Hats into a holiday snack mix with popcorn, M&Ms, and pretzel bites for a quick, crowd-pleasing Christmas treat.
Make Ahead, Storage & Gifting
One of the best things about these sweet holiday bites is how easy they are to make ahead, perfect for busy holiday schedules, classroom parties, or edible Christmas gifts!
- Make ahead: Prepare your pretzels up to 1 week in advance. Once the chocolate hardens, layer them between sheets of wax or parchment paper in an airtight container.
- Storage: Keep your treats at room temperature in a cool, dry place. Avoid the refrigerator — moisture can make the pretzels lose their crunch.
- Freezing: Not recommended; candy coatings can crack or discolor when frozen and thawed.
- Gifting ideas:
- Package in clear cellophane bags tied with red ribbon.
- Fill small holiday tins or mason jars for neighbor gifts.
- Add a printable “From Santa’s Kitchen” gift tag for a personal touch.
Pretzel Santa Hats FAQ
More Easy No-Bake Christmas Treats You’ll Love
That’s it! With just five ingredients and no baking required, these Santa hats are a guaranteed holiday hit. They’re sweet, salty, and oh-so-cute, the perfect snack to share with family, friends, or coworkers.
Rate it below or save it on Pinterest so you can make it again next season! Every rating and pin helps others discover this fun holiday treat.
Happy holidays, and happy snacking!
Print
Easy No-Bake Pretzel Santa Hats
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
Description
Sweet, salty, and festive, these pretzel Santa hats are the perfect no-bake Christmas treat! Made with mini pretzels, chocolate, and marshmallows, they’re a fun kitchen project with kids or a quick party snack that’s guaranteed to spread holiday cheer.
Ingredients
- 40 mini pretzel twists
- 12 ounces red melting candy
- 12 ounces white melting cand
- 40 mini marshmallows
- White sugar sprinkles
Instructions
- Melt the red candy: Melt 12 ounces of red melting candy according to the package directions.
- Dip and coat the pretzels: Dip half of each mini pretzel twist into the melted red candy. Place on parchment paper and use a flat spatula to fill in the open section of the pretzel with red chocolate.
- Cool and harden: Let the red chocolate cool completely and harden before moving on
- Melt the white chocolate: Melt 12 ounces of white melting candy
- Add the white trim: Using a pair of tongs, dip the opposite half of each pretzel into the melted white chocolate. (This keeps your fingers from softening the red chocolate while dipping.)
- Fill and decorate: Use a flat spatula to fill the remaining open section of the pretzel with white chocolate. While it’s still soft, sprinkle with white sugar sprinkles for a fluffy hat brim.
- Add the marshmallow pom-pom: Gently press one mini marshmallow into the top center of each pretzel to create Santa’s hat topper.
- Cool completely: Allow the chocolate to cool and harden before serving or packaging.
Notes
- To speed up setting, place your tray in the refrigerator for 5–10 minutes.
- For the best texture, let the candy coating set fully at room temperature before storing.
- Package them in clear treat bags with a festive ribbon for simple, homemade gifts.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Holiday Treats
- Method: No-bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Protein: 2 g
