If you’re hunting for a quick, crowd-pleasing treat that brings together salty crunch and sweet melty chocolate, trust me, this Hershey’s Kiss Pretzel Bites Recipe is an absolute winner. I first made these for a holiday party, and my family went crazy for how easy yet irresistible they were—plus, they come together in just about half an hour! Stick with me here, and I’ll share all my tips to help you nail this simple but delightful snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Quick Prep: Ready in just 35 minutes, perfect when you need an easy, last-minute snack.
- Sweet & Salty Combo: You get that satisfying crunch with a melty chocolate center that everyone adores.
- Fun & Customizable: Use seasonal M&Ms or Hershey’s Kisses varieties to match any occasion or holiday.
- Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: These bites disappear fast at parties—both kids and adults love them!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple but make a magical combination that’s hard to resist. It’s worth picking fresh pretzels with good crunch and grabbing your favorite Hershey’s Kisses, too—you’ll find that quality matters even in quick recipes!

- Waffle pretzels: They hold that perfect crunch and a great salty flavor; I prefer these over sticks because they cradle the chocolate so nicely.
- Hershey’s kisses or hugs (unwrapped): Classic milk or white chocolate works great; just unwrap before you start for smooth melting.
- M&Ms: Choose any type—regular, holiday-themed, or peanut—for a pop of color and extra sweetness on top.
Variations
I like to mix things up based on the season or mood. The best part about the Hershey’s Kiss Pretzel Bites Recipe is how flexible it is—you can easily play with colors and flavors to keep it fresh.
- White Chocolate & Peppermint: Around the holidays, swapping in white chocolate Hershey’s kisses and topping with crushed candy canes gives meall the festive vibes.
- Peanut Butter Kisses & Mini Pretzels: I once used peanut butter Kisses and smaller pretzels for bite-sized treats that tasted fantastic and disappeared quickly.
- Nut-Free Option: Swap M&Ms for other candies like mini chocolate chips if you need to avoid nuts but still want that color and texture.
How to Make Hershey’s Kiss Pretzel Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prep your baking sheet and arrange pretzels
Preheat your oven to 200°F (yes, it’s low and slow for gentle melting). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking. Spread those waffle pretzels out in a single layer—don’t crowd them! You’ll want each one to have a kiss perched perfectly on top without tipping over.
Step 2: Bake the pretzels with the kisses
Pop the baking sheet in the oven for about 4 to 5 minutes. Keep a close eye here—the chocolate should soften and look glossy but not completely melt and lose shape. This is the sweet spot for pushing the M&M on top without blending everything into a chocolate puddle.
Step 3: Add M&Ms and chill
Once you pull them out, quickly press an M&M gently into the center of each melted Kiss. This messes with the glossy tops just enough to help them stick, but not too much that it melts through. Then transfer the whole tray to the fridge to chill for about 20 minutes until everything sets firm. I always find this chilling step seals the deal for that perfect snap and bite.
Pro Tips for Making Hershey’s Kiss Pretzel Bites Recipe
- Separate types of chocolate: I discovered that melting white and milk chocolate together gets tricky—they melt differently, so I do them in separate batches for the best texture.
- Watch your oven carefully: That 4-5 minute window is key; overbake even by a minute and your kisses can lose shape and get too runny.
- Use room temperature M&Ms: If your candy is chilled, it can crack the melted chocolate when pressed in—taking a few minutes to sit at room temp helps them settle smoothly.
- Storage matters: Keep your bites in an airtight container at room temp—they last up to a week, but honestly, they rarely stick around that long in my house!
How to Serve Hershey’s Kiss Pretzel Bites Recipe

Garnishes
While I mainly rely on the colorful M&Ms for a cheerful look, I’ve also sprinkled a pinch of flaky sea salt on some batches for an extra flavor pop. It’s a small touch but makes those salty-sweet bites even more memorable.
Side Dishes
I often pop these out as a snack alongside a warm mug of coffee or hot cocoa—they’re perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up or post-dinner indulgence without needing a full dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
I love arranging these bites on festive platters or in small cupcake liners for parties. Once, I stacked them in little towers wrapped with a ribbon for Christmas gifts, and they were a hit everyone asked me to make again!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Whenever I’ve got leftovers, I keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay nice and crunchy for about a week. Avoid humidity or heat to prevent the chocolate from melting or the pretzels from getting soft.
Freezing
If you want to keep them longer, I’ve frozen the bites wrapped tightly in plastic wrap inside a sealed freezer bag. When thawed, they maintain their texture surprisingly well—just let them come to room temp before unwrapping so the chocolate doesn’t sweat.
Reheating
Since these aren’t baked in a way that requires reheating, I usually just let frozen bites thaw naturally. If they get too cold, the chocolate can feel hard, so a quick 10-minute rest on the counter works wonders.
FAQs
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Can I use other chocolates besides Hershey’s Kisses?
Absolutely! While I recommend sticking with Hershey’s Kisses or Hugs for their shape and melt quality, you can substitute with any bite-sized chocolates that melt smoothly—just watch the baking time as melty chocolates behave differently.
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Do I need to refrigerate the pretzel bites?
Chilling is essential right after assembly to set the chocolate, but afterward, you can store them at room temperature in an airtight container. Refrigeration can cause condensation and make the pretzels soggy.
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How long do Hershey’s Kiss Pretzel Bites last?
Stored properly at room temp, these tasty bites keep well up to one week. For longer storage, freezing is your friend.
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Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Simply swap regular pretzels for your favorite gluten-free pretzels, and you’re set. Just make sure the M&Ms and chocolates you use are gluten-free, too.
Final Thoughts
This Hershey’s Kiss Pretzel Bites Recipe holds a sweet spot in my heart because it’s incredibly easy and universally loved. It’s perfect when you want a no-fuss snack that still feels special, whether it’s for a festive get-together or just an everyday treat. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these bites as much as I do—they’re sure to win over your friends and family, just like they did mine!
Print
Hershey’s Kiss Pretzel Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 80 bites
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Hershey’s Kiss Pretzels are a delightful and easy-to-make sweet and salty treat featuring crispy waffle pretzels topped with melted Hershey’s kisses or hugs and finished with a colorful M&M on top. Perfect for holiday gatherings, parties, or anytime you crave a bite-sized confection that balances chocolate and crunch.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 80 waffle pretzels
- 80 Hershey’s kisses or hugs, unwrapped (about 14 oz)
- 80 M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Arrange Pretzels: Spread the waffle pretzels out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they do not overlap for even heat distribution.
- Top with Chocolate: Place one unwrapped Hershey’s kiss or hug on top of each pretzel, positioning them carefully centered on each pretzel piece.
- Bake: Bake the pretzels with chocolate for 4-5 minutes, or until the chocolate is glossy and soft but not fully melted or runny.
- Add M&Ms: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately press one M&M into the center of each softened chocolate piece to create a colorful topping.
- Chill to Set: Transfer the pretzels to the refrigerator and chill for 20 minutes or until the chocolate has completely hardened and set.
Notes
- White and milk chocolate melt at different rates, so it is easier to bake them separately if you are using both types of chocolate.
- Feel free to use regular M&Ms or any holiday-themed M&Ms depending on the occasion to customize the look and flavor.
- Store the Hershey’s kiss pretzels in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week for optimal freshness and crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite (1 pretzel with chocolate and M&M)
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg


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