If you’ve ever wanted a Halloween treat that’s both charmingly spooky and ridiculously easy to make, you’re going to LOVE this Ghost Pretzels Recipe. I absolutely love how these mini pretzels transform into tiny screaming ghosts with just a few simple ingredients — plus, they’re a total crowd-pleaser at parties and school events! Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step to make sure your ghost pretzels turn out perfect every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creative and Fun: Turning pretzels into tiny ghostly treats is simple but sure to impress your guests!
- Quick to Make: The whole batch comes together in about 30 minutes — perfect for last-minute party prep.
- Customizable: Swap out eyeballs or try different chocolates to suit your taste and occasion.
- Kid-Friendly: It’s a great activity to get kiddos involved in the kitchen, creating Halloween magic!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Ghost Pretzels Recipe are straightforward and come together beautifully. Each component plays a special role in turning simple snacks into spooky masterpieces — plus, they’re easy to find at most grocery stores!
- Mini Pretzels: I prefer the classic twisted mini pretzels like Shultz or Snyder’s; their shape is perfect for creating ghost faces.
- Vanilla Milk Chips: These melt smoothly and provide a sweet, creamy coating that contrasts nicely against the salty pretzels.
- Coconut Oil or Shortening: Adding a little bit helps thin the chocolate for easy dipping — choose shortening if you need a nut-free option.
- Candy Eyeballs: These are the stars of the ghosts’ faces! Wilton’s candy eyeballs work perfectly, but any festive candy eyes you find will do.
Variations
I love how flexible this Ghost Pretzels Recipe can be! Over time, I’ve played around with a few tweaks to suit different tastes and occasions — and I highly recommend you do the same to make it your own.
- White Chocolate Flavor: I’ve swapped vanilla milk chips for white chocolate bark or almond bark when I’m short on time — both melt nicely and taste great.
- Spooky Colors: For a Halloween party, sometimes I add a tiny dab of black or orange colored candy melts for a mouth or other funny ghost expressions.
- Nut-Free Option: Using shortening instead of coconut oil ensures the recipe is safe for kids with nut allergies — a game changer for school treats!
- Ghost Faces: Instead of candy eyeballs, you can use mini chocolate chips or edible markers to draw expressive eyes and mouths.
How to Make Ghost Pretzels Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Workspace Like a Pro
Before you start melting chocolate or dipping pretzels, line a baking sheet with wax paper, parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat — trust me, this cleanup hack saves so much time later! Have your candy eyeballs handy on the side, so you can press them in as soon as each pretzel is dipped.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate Just Right
Pop your vanilla milk chips and coconut oil (or shortening) into a microwave-safe bowl. Melt in short 10-20 second bursts, stirring between each blast. This prevents the chocolate from burning or seizing — I learned this the hard way once when I walked away too long, and the chocolate got grainy. When it’s silky and smooth, you’re ready to start dipping!
Step 3: Dip Pretzels and Create Ghost Faces
Grab a fork, dip one mini pretzel at a time into the melted chocolate, and give it a gentle turn to coat it well. Shake off the excess chocolate carefully — here’s the trick: make sure to shake out the bottom hole so it looks like an open mouth, like your ghost is screaming! It’s a simple detail that really brings them to life.
As soon as the chocolate is still wet, press two candy eyeballs into the top holes for eyes. If needed, add a tiny dab of extra melted chocolate as glue to keep them in place. Work quickly before the chocolate begins to harden — I usually melt the chocolate just once, reheating only if necessary.
Place each finished ghost on your lined baking sheet and repeat until all pretzels are dressed up.
Step 4: Chill and Set
Let your ghost pretzels rest at room temperature until the coating sets, or speed things up by popping the tray into the freezer for about 10 minutes. After they’re firm to the touch, gently peel them off the paper and get ready to impress your friends with these adorable Halloween bites!
Pro Tips for Making Ghost Pretzels Recipe
- Use Quality Chocolate: I always choose Guittard vanilla milk chips for their creamy texture, which helps the chocolate set beautifully on pretzels.
- Don’t Overheat Chocolate: Heating in short bursts and stirring thoroughly keeps the chocolate smooth, preventing that grainy texture I’ve encountered before.
- Work Quickly with Candy Eyes: Press them in while chocolate is still wet—otherwise, they won’t stick and you’ll have to start over.
- Avoid Overloading Pretzels: Shake off excess chocolate well to maintain the ghost’s signature look—lots of chocolate can hide that spooky open mouth!
How to Serve Ghost Pretzels Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep it simple with these ghost pretzels because their design already grabs attention, but sometimes I sprinkle on a tiny pinch of edible glitter for a little magical shimmer at Halloween night. You can also arrange them on a platter lined with black napkins to really make those white ghosts pop!
Side Dishes
Pair your ghost pretzels with other Halloween-favorite snacks like caramel apples, pumpkin spice popcorn, or even a big bowl of candy corn for a festive dessert spread that’s bound to keep everyone reaching back for more.
Creative Ways to Present
When I hosted a Halloween party last year, I set up a “Build Your Own Ghost” station with plain pretzels, white chocolate bowls for dipping, candy eyes, and mini chocolate chips. Guests loved making their own spooky creations! Another fun idea is arranging the ghosts on skewers to create a ghostly bouquet – unexpected and adorable.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your ghost pretzels are set, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay crisp and delicious for up to three days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house! I like to layer wax paper between batches to prevent sticking.
Freezing
If you want to get ahead of the game, these pretzels freeze well. Pop them in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper, and freeze for up to a month. When you’re ready, just thaw at room temperature — no sogginess, I promise!
Reheating
Reheating isn’t necessary here — these are best served as is. But if your kitchen’s humid and they soften a bit, a quick 5-minute chill in the freezer will bring back that perfect snap.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of chocolate for the Ghost Pretzels Recipe?
Absolutely! While vanilla milk chips are my go-to for sweetness and smooth melting, white chocolate or almond bark works just fine. Dark or semi-sweet chocolate is less traditional but would make for an interesting twist — just remember that thinner chocolate coatings help keep the ghost’s shape.
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What if I can’t find candy eyeballs?
No worries! You can use mini chocolate chips, edible markers, or even piped dots of melted chocolate in place of candy eyeballs. It’s all about having fun with your ghost faces!
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Is coconut oil necessary in the recipe?
Coconut oil (or shortening) helps thin out the melted chocolate so it coats evenly and smoothly. If you skip it, the chocolate might be too thick and clumpy, which could hide the signature ghost mouth hole.
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Can I make these ghost pretzels ahead of time for a party?
Yes! You can prep and store them a day or two ahead in an airtight container at room temperature, but remember they’re freshest on the day you make them. Freezing is also an option if you want to get a jump start.
Final Thoughts
This Ghost Pretzels Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s simple, festive, and always brings a smile to everyone who eats them. They’re perfect for when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. Give this recipe a try next Halloween or whenever you want to add a little spooky fun to snack time — I promise you’ll be hooked just like my family is!
PrintGhost Pretzels Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 30 pretzels
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Ghost Pretzels are a fun and spooky treat perfect for Halloween. Mini pretzels are dipped in creamy vanilla white chocolate and adorned with candy eyeballs to create adorable ghost faces. Quick to prepare and no-bake, these pretzels make a delightful party snack or festive dessert for all ages.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 30 mini pretzels (like Shultz or Snyder’s)
- 6 oz (170 g) Guittard Vanilla Milk Chips (equal to 1 cup; half of a 12 oz bag)
- ½ tsp coconut oil or shortening (for thinning the chocolate)
- 0.88 oz (25 g) package Wilton Candy Eyeballs
Instructions
- Prepare the baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with wax paper, parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat and set it aside. This will prevent the pretzels from sticking after dipping.
- Melt the chocolate: In a glass bowl, melt the white chocolate and coconut oil (or shortening) in the microwave. Use short 10-20 second bursts, stirring between each, until the mixture is smooth and fully melted.
- Dip the pretzels: Using a fork, dip one mini pretzel at a time into the melted chocolate, turning it over to coat fully. Shake off any excess chocolate, especially from the bottom hole, to create an ‘open mouth’ effect that looks like a screaming ghost.
- Add the eyes: Immediately press two candy eyeballs into the top two holes of each pretzel for eyes. Use a little extra melted chocolate if needed to secure them in place.
- Repeat for all pretzels: Continue dipping and decorating the remaining pretzels, reheating the chocolate once if it starts to harden. Work quickly to ensure the chocolate remains melted for easy dipping.
- Let them set: Allow the chocolate-covered pretzels to rest at room temperature until the chocolate hardens. To speed up the process, place them in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy: Once set, peel the ghost pretzels off the sheet and enjoy your festive treat.
Notes
- Coconut oil is considered a tree nut by the FDA, so if making these for a child’s school or allergy-sensitive environment, substitute with shortening instead.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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