Butter Toffee Pretzels (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Option)
These crunchy butter toffee pretzels combine sweet and salty in one crispy bite, making them great served for party platters, packed as gifts for the holiday season, or simply enjoyed as an indulgent snack. Gluten-free and easily made dairy-free too.
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Sweet & Salty in One Single Bite!
There’s just something delicious about the combination of both sweet and savory at the same time, and these irresistibly crunchy butter toffee pretzels are just that.
Salty pretzels dipped in a rich and flavorful toffee that sets into a crunchy exterior, creating an amazingly delicious snack that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe:
- Simple Ingredients: With just a handful of ingredients that can be easily accessible at the local grocery store, these butter toffee pretzels are really easy to make!
- Easy to Make: All you need is just 15 minutes of hands on time, and then let the toffee set until brittle to get crunchy goodness your family will love!
- Totally Gluten-Free & Easily Dairy-Free: The best part is that this butter toffee pretzel recipe is 100% gluten-free and easily made dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without issues!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making these homemade butter toffee pretzels.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- Butter: I used regular salted butter, but if you are lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use dairy-free butter instead.
- Pretzels: I used gluten-free mini pretzels to keep this recipe gluten-free, but if you are not gluten-intolerant, you can use regular mini pretzels instead. Alternatively, you may also use pretzel sticks instead of pretzel twists.
- Sugar: I recommend using brown sugar for a richer flavor, but you can also use cane sugar or white sugar if you prefer.
- Vanilla Extract: I like adding a bit of vanilla extract for extra flavor, but feel free to leave it out if necessary.
- Baking Soda: Make sure you don’t leave this out, as the baking soda acts as a leavening agent when added to the liquid toffee mixture, reacting with acidic ingredients to create tiny air bubbles to result in lighter, airier and more brittle texture.
How to Make Homemade Butter Toffee Pretzels:
Melt Butter & Sugar:Â In a medium saucepan, combine the butter and brown sugar. Heat over medium heat and stir occasionally until the butter is completely melted and the mixture begins to gently boil.
Cook Toffee Mixture:Â Once bubbling, continue stirring the butter-sugar mixture for a few minutes until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and forms a brown toffee mixture.
Add Baking Soda and Vanilla:Â Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately add the baking soda and vanilla extract. Stir briskly for another minute; the mixture will foam and thicken slightly.
Coat Pretzels in Toffee Mixture:Â In a large bowl, add the pretzels. Pour the hot toffee mixture over the pretzels and stir gently to coat them evenly without breaking them.
Let Toffee Set:Â Spread the coated pretzels in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or on a wire rack. Let cool completely to room temperature. If your kitchen is warm, store them in the refrigerator to help them set faster.
Serve and Enjoy: Enjoy these crunchy pretzels!
Dish by Dish Tips:
- Extra Crunch: Mix in chopped nuts such as pecans or almonds with the pretzels for extra crunch.
- Storage: Use an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Line the trays with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and make transporting easier.
Other Gluten-Free Snacks You’ll Enjoy:
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
Butter Toffee Pretzels (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Option)
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These crunchy butter toffee pretzels combine sweet and salty in one crispy bite, making them great served for party platters, packed as gifts for the holiday season, or simply enjoyed as an indulgent snack. Gluten-free and easily made dairy-free too.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, (2 sticks)
- 12 ounces mini gluten-free pretzels (about 340 g)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Melt Butter & Sugar: In a medium saucepan, combine the butter and brown sugar. Heat over medium heat and stir occasionally until the butter is completely melted and the mixture begins to gently boil.
- Cook Caramel: Once bubbling, continue stirring the butter-sugar mixture for a few minutes until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy, and forms a caramel.
- Add Baking Soda and Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately add the baking soda and vanilla extract. Stir briskly for another minute; the mixture will foam and thicken slightly.
- Coat Pretzels in Caramel: In a large bowl, add the pretzels. Pour the hot caramel over the pretzels and stir gently to coat them evenly without breaking them.
- Let Caramel Set Before Enjoying: Spread the coated pretzels in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper or on a wire rack. Let cool completely to room temperature. If your kitchen is warm, store them in the refrigerator to help them set faster.
Notes
Butter: I used regular salted butter, but if you are lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use dairy-free butter instead.
Pretzels: I used gluten-free mini pretzels to keep this recipe gluten-free, but if you are not gluten-intolerant, you can use regular mini pretzels instead. Alternatively, you may also use pretzel sticks instead of pretzel twists.
Sugar: I recommend using brown sugar for a richer flavor, but you can also use cane sugar or white sugar if you prefer.
Vanilla Extract: I like adding a bit of vanilla extract for extra flavor, but feel free to leave it out if necessary.
Baking Soda: Make sure you don’t leave this out, as the baking soda acts as a leavening agent when added to the liquid toffee mixture, reacting with acidic ingredients to create tiny air bubbles to result in lighter, airier and more brittle texture.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
