If you’re looking for a fun, spooky treat that’s as delicious as it is adorable, you’re going to love this Frankenstein Pretzels Recipe. I absolutely love how this playful twist on sweet and salty pretzels comes together—perfect for parties, Halloween celebrations, or just because. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be hooked on making these creepy-cute snacks again and again!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun and Kid-Friendly: My kids go crazy for these little Frankenstein faces, and they love helping decorate!
- Sweet & Salty Perfection: The peanut butter and pretzel combo hits all the right notes without being overwhelming.
- Easy to Make: When I first tried this, I thought it would be tricky, but it’s surprisingly straightforward and fast.
- Perfect for Parties: They make adorable conversation starters and disappear quickly from the snack table!
Ingredients You’ll Need
I love how simple the ingredients for this Frankenstein Pretzels Recipe are—mostly pantry staples you might already have on hand. The combination is spot-on, giving you salty crunch, creamy peanut butter, and deliciously sweet chocolate with a fun festive color twist.
- Pretzels: Square pretzels hold the filling perfectly and give the right crunchy base for decorating.
- Creamy peanut butter: Spreadable and smooth, it’s essential for that rich, creamy bite inside.
- White chocolate chips: Melts beautifully and is the perfect canvas for green food color.
- Coconut oil: Helps thin out melted white chocolate for easy dipping and coating.
- Green food coloring: Adds the spooky Frankenstein green that brings these treats to life.
- Candy eyes: The absolute best detail for that monster look—super cute and easily found at most baking aisles.
- Chocolate jimmies (sprinkles): Use these for “hair”—they stick nicely while the chocolate’s still wet.
- Mini pretzel sticks: Break into small pieces to make Frankenstein’s bolts on the sides of the head.
- Chocolate chips (for decorating): Melt separately for drawing on mouths and other details.
Variations
One of the things I love about the Frankenstein Pretzels Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I often switch up details depending on what I have or the occasion—feel free to play around too!
- Use almond butter instead of peanut butter: I tried this when a friend was allergic, and it was just as tasty—still creamy and nutty.
- Dark chocolate coating: For a richer detail, swap white chocolate for dark, especially if you want a less sweet version.
- Seasonal sprinkles: I’ve swapped out the chocolate jimmies for orange and black sprinkles at Halloween-themed parties—it’s a hit!
- Gluten-free pretzels: Works great if you need to keep things gluten-free without losing crunch.
How to Make Frankenstein Pretzels Recipe
Step 1: Assemble the Pretzel Sandwiches
Start by spreading creamy peanut butter onto half of your square pretzels—just a nice even layer, not too thick. Then, carefully press the remaining pretzels on top to create little sandwiches. This step is super important for that salty-sweet combo everyone will love. I always use a butter knife for this to avoid tearing the pretzels.
Step 2: Make Frankenstein’s Green Chocolate Coating
Next, stir the coconut oil into the melted white chocolate chips; this thins it out so it coats the pretzels evenly. Add a few drops of green food coloring and whisk until the color is smooth and spooky green—don’t forget to start with a little, you can always add more! This green chocolate is what gives Frankenstein his signature look, and it’s one of my favorite parts to make.
Step 3: Coat the Pretzels
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Now, carefully toss each peanut butter sandwich pretzel into the green chocolate so it’s fully coated. I like to use a fork to scoop them out, letting excess chocolate drip back into the bowl, then place them on the sheet. This keeps the coating smooth and neat.
Step 4: Add Frankenstein’s Face
While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle chocolate jimmies over the tops to give Frankenstein his wild hair. Then, press two candy eyes onto each pretzel—it’s so fun watching their faces come to life! Break mini pretzel sticks into small pieces and carefully stick them into the sides to create those classic Frankenstein bolts. I find it easier to do this step right away before the chocolate sets.
Step 5: Draw the Mouth
Finally, melt your chocolate chips and pour the melted chocolate into a small plastic bag. Snip a tiny corner off to create a piping bag and draw on Frankenstein’s mouth. I like adding funny or scary mouths to give each pretzel its own personality. Let the chocolate set completely before serving.
Pro Tips for Making Frankenstein Pretzels Recipe
- Use room temperature peanut butter: It spreads easier and melts less into the pretzel, keeping the filling neat.
- Don’t skip coconut oil: This little addition makes the chocolate coating silky and less prone to cracking.
- Work quickly on decorations: Adding eyes, sprinkles, and ears while the coating is still wet helps them stick perfectly.
- Use parchment paper: Prevents the pretzels from sticking and keeps cleanup super simple—trust me, it’s worth it!
How to Serve Frankenstein Pretzels Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple—two candy eyes and chocolate jimmies do the trick for me. Sometimes, I toss in mini marshmallows or edible glitter for a little extra sparkle at Halloween parties. You’ll find that simple garnishes let the green chocolate and peanut butter stars really shine.
Side Dishes
These pretzels pair beautifully with other Halloween treats like caramel apples, popcorn balls, or even a good ol’ bowl of chili for a savory contrast. I also like serving them with a warm cup of apple cider—cozy and festive.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, I arranged these Frankenstein pretzels on a platter surrounded by fake cobwebs and plastic spiders—it was a fun centerpiece that doubled as a snack station. You can also put them in little individual treat bags for party favors, or stick a pretzel on a skewer with other spooky sweets for a creative dessert “kabob.”
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Frankenstein pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep their crunch and flavor for a couple of days, though I recommend enjoying them sooner rather than later because the peanut butter can sometimes make the pretzel a bit softer over time.
Freezing
Freezing these isn’t my go-to method, but if you want to prep ahead, freeze them on a baking sheet first until solid, then transfer to a sealed bag. Thaw at room temperature before serving so the chocolate doesn’t sweat or get blotchy.
Reheating
There’s no need to reheat Frankenstein pretzels since they’re best enjoyed as a cool, crunchy snack. But if the chocolate feels firmed up, just let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften slightly before biting in.
FAQs
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Can I use natural peanut butter in this Frankenstein Pretzels Recipe?
Yes, you can! Just keep in mind that natural peanut butter tends to be less creamy and more oily, which might make it a little trickier to spread evenly on the pretzels. Stir it well before using, and consider chilling the assembled pretzels briefly so the peanut butter firms up a bit.
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What if I don’t have green food coloring?
If you’re out of green food coloring, you can skip coloring and keep the white chocolate plain for a fun ghost-themed look instead! Alternatively, try mixing a little blue and yellow food coloring from your stash to create green, but test it with a small amount first.
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Do I have to use coconut oil in the melted chocolate?
Coconut oil helps thin out the white chocolate so it coats the pretzels smoothly without hardening too quickly. If you don’t have it, you can try adding a neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil in small amounts, but coconut oil tends to give the best texture and finish.
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How do I store leftover Frankenstein pretzels?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, away from heat or direct sunlight. They’re best eaten within 2-3 days for maximum freshness and crunch.
Final Thoughts
This Frankenstein Pretzels Recipe holds a special place in my heart—not just because it’s a total crowd-pleaser, but because it really brings out my creative side in the kitchen. It’s simple, fun, and wildly addictive. I’m convinced that once you make these, you’ll find excuses to whip them up for every spooky season or just when you want a smile on your family’s faces. Go ahead, give it a try and watch how these little monsters disappear faster than you can say “Boo!”
PrintFrankenstein Pretzels Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 12 pretzel sandwiches
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Frankenstein Pretzels are a fun and festive treat perfect for Halloween or any spooky occasion. These sweet and salty snacks feature square pretzels sandwiched with creamy peanut butter, coated in green-tinted white chocolate, and decorated with candy eyes, chocolate sprinkles for hair, and mini pretzel ears, finished with a chocolate mouth for an adorable Frankenstein monster appearance.
Ingredients
Pretzel Sandwiches
- 24 square pretzels
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
Chocolate Coating and Decorations
- 2 cups white chocolate chips, melted
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
- Green food coloring – a few drops
- 24 candy eyes
- 1/3 cup chocolate jimmy sprinkles
- Mini pretzel sticks (for ears)
- 1 cup chocolate chips, melted (for drawing mouth)
Instructions
- Prepare Pretzel Sandwiches: Spread creamy peanut butter evenly onto half of the square pretzels. Then, place the remaining pretzels on top to form peanut butter-filled pretzel sandwiches.
- Make Green Chocolate Coating: In a bowl, stir the coconut oil into the melted white chocolate chips to smooth the mixture. Add a few drops of green food coloring and whisk thoroughly to combine and achieve a vibrant green shade.
- Coat Pretzels With Green Chocolate: Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the peanut butter-filled pretzels to the green chocolate mixture and gently toss them until they are fully coated. Using a fork, carefully transfer the coated pretzels onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Add Hair, Eyes, and Ears: While the coating is still wet, sprinkle chocolate jimmies on top of each pretzel to create Frankenstein’s hair. Press two candy eyes onto each pretzel. Break mini pretzel sticks into small pieces and insert one piece into each side of a pretzel sandwich to form ears.
- Draw Mouth with Chocolate: Pour the melted chocolate chips into a small plastic bag and snip off a tiny corner to create a piping bag. Carefully draw a mouth onto each Frankenstein pretzel to complete the look. Allow the coating to set before serving.
Notes
- Use creamy peanut butter for easier spreading and better adhesion between pretzels.
- Ensure the white chocolate is fully melted and smooth before coloring to avoid clumps.
- Work quickly when decorating so the coating is still wet for easy attachment of candy eyes and sprinkles.
- Store finished pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain crispness.
- For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel sandwich
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg