No Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies are the most dangerously addicting cookie recipe I have! They are salty and sweet, have chocolate chips, and are quick and easy which makes them a slam dunk!
This recipe went crazy on Pinterest and was shared over 242 THOUSAND TIMES in just a couple of days! It’s that good!
“OMG! I just made these for our family’s Christmas Eve gathering, and I just had to taste one and they are SERIOUSLY delicious. I can’t even begin to tell you how good these are. Its a must-try!” – Denise
I’ve tried adding pretzels to Classic No Bake Cookies and after the cookies sat there for a while they got soggy. I was dying to figure out how to add them so I could get that salty and crunchy element in my cookies. After testing about 15 recipes I hit the nail on the head!
There are only three problems with these cookies! And when I say problems I’m mostly talking about all the reasons I eat way too many of them!
- They’re made with simple ingredients I ALWAYS have which means they happen way too often!
- They only take about 10 minutes to make so I can get my PB and choco fix in before I have time to talk myself out of it!
- I’ve never been able to resist salty-sweet…add chocolate and I’m really in trouble with these around!
- Oh, and they’re cheap, which is no problem but it’s important too!
What you’ll find in this post
Table of Contents
All about these cookies!
First of all, you should know that I’m such a HUGE fan of no-bake cookies that I have NINE varieties of them on my blog! We eat them ALL the time!
Have you ever had Oh Henry Bars or Scotcheroo’s? This recipe is a twist on those amazing cookie bars, but they’re even better because they have pretzels!
To store these cookies: Put them in an airtight container and store them at room temperature. they will last for up to 5 days. I bet they won’t last that long though!
Freezing these cookies: I’ve never tried freezing this particular recipe although no-bake cookies traditionally freeze well. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Pretzel Cookies Ingredients
Simple ingredients! That’s all you’ll need! There really is nothing fancy about these cookies! Let me walk you through the ingredients and point out substitutions just in case you’re missing something. No need to make a special trip to the grocery store!
- Rice Krispies Cereal – you could also use chocolate crispy cereal, rice squares, or even cornflakes.
- Pretzels – make sure they’re salted! Use Squares, twists, whatever!
- Peanut Butter – creamy or chunky. I’ve never tried all natural but I think it would work just fine.
- Light Corn Syrup – I’ve never tried substituting honey, but it’s an idea!
- Granulated Sugar – you could use brown sugar if you’re in a pinch. The cookies might be a little softer.
- Vanilla – extract, omit if needed
- Chocolate Chips – milk chocolate, semi-sweet, chopped up chocolate bars, leftover chocolate Easter rabbit!
- Salt – course ground sea salt is my fave. Use table salt or Kosher salt if it’s what you have.
How to make Cookies with Pretzels
There are a couple of tricks for making these cookies perfect! Other than that they’re incredibly easy! PROMISE!
- Prep all the ingredients ahead of time because once it’s time to add the cereal and pretzels you’ll want to hurry!
- Don’t heat the mixture too long! If you do they’ll be so hard you could throw them through the wall!
- Let them sit for a few minutes before adding the chocolate chips.
- The longer you let the cookies sit before scooping the more round they will be. If you scoop them quickly they’ll be a little flatter.
STEP 1: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or wax paper.
STEP 2: Coarsely crush pretzels. Measure rice crispy cereal and pretzel in a measuring cup or large bowl and set aside.
STEP 3: Add peanut butter, sugar, and corn syrup to a large pan. I used a 5-quart pan. Stirring occasionally cook over medium heat until smooth and creamy, and peanut butter is melted. Don’t let it boil.
STEP 4: Remove from heat. Add vanilla and a dash of sea salt. Stir.
STEP 5: Add cereal and pretzels. Gently toss until coated.
STEP 6: Let cereal mixture sit for 3-5 minutes until it has cooled a little. It needs to be cooled enough that the chocolate chips don’t get completely melted (a little is okay) but you want to move to the next step before the cookies are completely set up too. It’s a little tricky!
STEP 7: Add chocolate chips and quickly fold to incorporate.
STEP 8: Scoop cookies onto a lined baking sheet. I use a three tablespoon-sized cookie scoop. Use whatever size you like! Sprinkle with more sea salt! You could also press them in a 9×13 pan to make them into bar cookies! It’s faster and easier!
STEP 9: Let sit until cool and firm.
The BEST No-Bake Cookies Recipes
“This is the BEST and easiest recipe !! So addictive too! We are peanut butter lovers. Thanks!” – Carol
This recipe is one of my most popular no bake desserts recipes! But if you are always finding yourself short on time and needing a quick and easy treat try these!
- Salted Caramel Cookies – made with instant pudding
- Classic Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies – PERFECT every single time!
- Caramel Apple Cookies – with oatmeal
- Twix Cookies – even better than the candy bar
- Compost Cookies – loaded with a little bit of everything
- Pumpkin Spice Cookies – amazing fall cookies
- Chex Cookies or Scotcharoos – really addicting
No Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies Recipe
Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies with Chocolate are the BEST darn no bake cookies in the world! If you do nothing else today, make these cookies! They are worth the whole ten minutes of your life you’ll spend whipping them up!
No Bake Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies with Chocolate Chips
Ingredients
- 1 cup light corn syrup
- 1 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- dash sea salt
- 3 cup rice crispy cereal
- 1 cup coarsely chopped pretzels
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- dash of sea salt for tops
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Measure cereal and pretzels into a large measuring cup or a bowl.
- Add peanut butter, sugar and corn syrup to a large pan. I used a 5 quart pan. Cook over medium heat until smooth and creamy, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat. Add vanilla and a dash of sea salt. Stir.
- Add cereal and pretzels. Gently toss until coated.
- Let cereal mixture sit for 3-5 minutes until it has cooled a little. It needs to be cooled enough that the chocolate chips don’t get completely melted (a little is okay) but you want to move to the next step before the cookies are completely set up too. It’s a little tricky!
- Add chocolate chips and quickly and gently toss to incorporate.
- Scoop cookies onto lined baking sheet.
- Let sit until cool and firm.
JANICE JACKSON says
I see the steps but no measurements for each ingredients. Would you share them with me PLEASE.
Amy Engberson says
Hi Janice! If you scroll all the way to the bottom of the post you will see a grey box that says something like “click here for the recipe” if you click that box it should take you directly to a printable of the recipe! If it doesn’t work for you let me know and I’ll be sure to get it to you!
joyce says
I’m going to make these, but will press them into a pan to make bars. I lost a lot of flexibility and strength in my dominant arm four years ago, so have to compensate any way I can, and bars will help a lot.
These do sound delicious, and I’m looking forward to sharing them with my beloved extended family 🙂
Amy Engberson says
Your family is going to go crazy over them! Making them into bars is such a time saver, and deifinitely easier! Enjoy!
Emily says
These are some of the best cookies I’ve ever had! Super easy to make… I didn’t even wait to stir in the chocolate, and they were still so tasty! My husband isn’t usually a fan of no-bakes, but the sweet & salty get us every time! Thank you for this unique and delicious recipe!
Amy Engberson says
Hi Emily! These are some of muy favorite cookies too! I’m madly in love with salty sweet combos and cookies don’t get any easier than this! So glad you enjoyed them!
Lil Fiest says
Hi there! Could you replace the corn syrup with brown rice syrup?
Amy Engberson says
Hi Lil! I’ve never used brown rice syrup before so I can’t really give you advice on that. Sorry!
Melissa says
I made these today. Super easy & SO GOOD! They didn’t last. Thanks!
Amy Engberson says
I LOVE how easy they are to make and I think I’m even more in love with the salty sweet! Glad you enjoyed them as much as I do!
Gail says
Could you make these using Rice Chex cereal for those gluten free folks?
Amy Engberson says
Yes! That’s a great idea! You could really substitute any add ins as long as they add up to the same amount of add ins listed in the recipe. Does that make sense?
mary says
looks good, where can I find the recipe? thanks mary
Amy Engberson says
At the bottom of the post there is a grey box that says Click Here For the Recipe. It should take you to a printable recipe. If it doens’t work let me know and I’ll be sure to get it to you!
Kelly says
I just made these today and they turned out great! I let them cool for 5-7 minutes but the chocolate chips still melted, which wasn’t a problem at all. I used a tablespoon cookie scoop and it made 42 cookies. Thanks for sharing!
Amy Engberson says
Getting them mixed without the chocolate melting is the trickiest part of making these. And I’m with you, melted chocolate never hurt anything! I find I get the best results if I don’t over mix after I add the chocolate chips! So yummy though!
Katherine says
Great recipe! First candy of the Christmas season. Love the PB and chocolate 🙂
Amy Engberson says
Thanks! Bring on all the holiday baking and no baking! Merry Christmas!
Cathy H. says
You were right; timing is everything. Mine turned out chocolate through and through but still tasted great!
Amy Engberson says
Haha! That chocolate will melt in a hurry if you don’t have time to wait for the cookie mixture to cool down just a little bit. But then again, having chocolate through and through never hurt anything and actually sounds pretty tasty! Have a great day!
Denise says
OMG! I just made these for our family’s Christmas Eve gathering. I just had to taste one and they are SERIOUSLY delicious. I can’t even begin to tell you how good these are. Its a must try!
Amy Engberson says
Yay! Thay are one of my favorites! Have fun at your family party! Merry Christmas!
Amy says
How do you not give any exact measurements??
Amy Engberson says
There are exact amounts in the box with the printable recipe on the second page. At the end of the page there is a box that reads “click here for recipe”. If you click on that box it should take you to the printable recipe! Sorry for the confusion. Let me know if you can’t find it!
Chariti says
Hello, how many will this make?
Amy Engberson says
It depends on how big of a cookie scoop you use. I use a two tablespoon scoop and get about 24-30 cookies.
Amanda says
Can these be frozen
Amy Engberson says
I haven’t ever had them last long enough to get the chance to freeze them because I live with a house full of boys!
Ethel says
Love sweet and salty. How do you store them ? Do they need to stay refrigerated? Thanks for this easy recipe.
Amy Engberson says
I’m a complete sweet and salty addict! I store them at room temperature in an air tight container. They don’t usually last very long so I’m not exactly sure how long they keep. I’m guessing a few days. Happy Holidays!
Sharon @What The Fork says
Sweet and salty is the best! I love the idea!
Amy Engberson says
Sweet and salty is the death of me!
Dee says
I like to balance out the traditional cookies that are more time consuming with a few easy ones, so this is perfect! Love the flavor combo too!
Amy Engberson says
Me too! I have to have a least a few easy ones for those super busy days!
Sabrina says
These look easy and delicious! I can’t wait to make these!
Amy Engberson says
I love a few super easy recipes for the holidays, well really any day!
Abeer says
These cookies have all of my favorite ingredients. I wish I could have one right now!
Amy Engberson says
Thanks! They are easy enough you could have one in just a few minutes if you had all the ingredients on hand!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
You had at no bake. You stole me at peanut butter.
Amy Engberson says
Ha! We could be really good friends!