Get ready to fall in love with a snack that’s utterly irresistible: Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks! These delightful treats combine the satisfying crunch of pretzel sticks with a sweet, buttery, and perfectly spiced cinnamon sugar coating. They’re incredibly easy to make, fill your home with cozy aromas, and are perfect for satisfying any sweet craving, sharing at parties, or simply enjoying by the handful!
Why I Love This Recipe
These Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks are pure magic! What I love most is how they transform a simple bag of pretzels into something truly extraordinary with minimal effort. The combination of melted butter and egg white creates a perfect base for the cinnamon sugar to cling to, ensuring every stick is evenly coated and wonderfully sweet and spicy. They bake up beautifully golden and crunchy, making them the ultimate sweet-and-salty snack. They’re fantastic for parties, movie nights, or just when you need a quick, satisfying treat. Plus, that vanilla extract in the coating really elevates the flavor!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create these delightfully addictive Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks:
- 1 bag (12 ounces) thick pretzel sticks
- 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
- 1 egg white
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Swaps and Notes
- Thick Pretzel Sticks: The thicker pretzel sticks (like Snyders of Hanover Snaps or Rods) work best as they hold up to the coating and baking well. Thin pretzels might break.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred, as the pretzels are already salty. Ensure it’s melted but then cooled slightly, so it doesn’t cook the egg white when mixed.
- Egg White: This is crucial for creating a sticky base that helps the sugar adhere. Don’t omit it.
- Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract adds a lovely depth of flavor.
- Cinnamon: Adjust the amount of ground cinnamon to your preference. For a stronger cinnamon flavor, you can add a bit more.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar creates a nice crispy coating.
- Optional Spices: A tiny pinch of nutmeg or allspice can add more warmth if you like.
Directions
Let’s get these sweet and crunchy Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks baked!
- Preheat Oven & Prep Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This is essential to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Melt & Cool Butter: Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl on medium/low power until fully melted. Then, allow it to cool slightly (just a few minutes) before moving to the next step. This prevents the egg white from cooking prematurely.
- Prepare Wet Coating: Carefully separate the egg white from the yolk. Discard the yolk or save it for another use. In the bowl with the slightly cooled melted butter, whisk together the egg white and pure vanilla extract until well combined. Set this wet mixture aside.
- Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: In a separate medium bowl, mix together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until they are thoroughly combined. This is your delicious dry coating.
- Coat Pretzels with Wet Mixture: Grab a one-gallon zip-top bag (or a very large bowl with a lid). Place your thick pretzel sticks inside the bag. Pour the butter, egg white, and vanilla mixture over the pretzels. Seal the bag tightly (or secure the lid) and gently shake, tumble, and toss the pretzels until they are evenly coated with the wet mixture.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar: Open the bag and add the cinnamon sugar mixture into the bag with the wet-coated pretzels. Reseal the bag tightly and give it another gentle shake, tossing and tumbling the pretzels until they are completely and evenly coated with the cinnamon sugar.
- Bake: Spread the coated pretzels out in an even layer on your prepared baking sheet. Ensure there’s no overlapping so they can crisp up properly. Bake for about 15 minutes, giving them a stir or a gentle toss halfway through to ensure even baking and browning.
- Cool & Serve: Once they’re golden brown and wonderfully fragrant, remove them from the oven. Immediately stir the pretzels again while they’re still warm to prevent them from sticking together as they cool. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet (or transfer to a wire rack) before serving. This allows the coating to set and become truly crispy.
For the ultimate treat, pair your delicious Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks with a creamy dip like cream cheese frosting or rich caramel sauce. Enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Cool the Butter: Don’t add the egg white to hot butter, or it will scramble. Let the melted butter cool slightly.
- Shake Gently but Thoroughly: You want every pretzel stick coated without breaking them. A gentle but persistent shake is key.
- Single Layer for Baking: Overlapping pretzels will steam them, not crisp them. Use two baking sheets if necessary.
- Stir Immediately After Baking: The coating will be tacky when hot. Stirring immediately helps prevent them from sticking together as they cool.
- Cool Completely: The pretzels will get their final crispness as they cool. Resist the urge to eat them all warm!
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks are perfect on their own, but can also be elevated with a few delicious additions:
- Dipping Sauces: Serve them with a side of cream cheese frosting, caramel sauce, chocolate ganache, or even a simple vanilla glaze.
- Ice Cream Topping: Crumble them over a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for a delightful crunch.
- Party Snack: They’re a fantastic addition to any snack mix or party platter.
- Coffee/Tea: A wonderful companion for your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
- For other sweet and satisfying treats, you might enjoy our Slippery Drank for a dessert-inspired beverage, or our Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites for another small, sweet indulgence.
Storage and Leftover Tips
These pretzel sticks store well, making them great for snacking over time!
- Room Temperature: Store cooled Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1-2 weeks. Humidity can make them slightly less crisp over time.
- Freezing: Freezing is not typically recommended as it can affect the texture and crispness.
- Re-crisping: If they lose some crispness, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 250°F (120°C) for 5-10 minutes, or until re-crisped.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the sweet, crunchy, and easy nature of these pretzel sticks, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic dessert and snack recipes:
- For another utterly decadent sweet obsession, check out These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs Are My Favorite Sweet Obsession.
- If you’re a fan of classic no-bake treats, our These Old-School No-Bake Cookies Never Fail Me and I’ve Made Them 100 Times are a must-try!
- And for a truly classic baked good, don’t miss The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made and I’ve Made a Lot.
- Finally, for a delicious way to use up ripe fruit in a sweet bake, check out This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way to Use Up Overripe Bananas.
Final Thoughts
These Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks are a brilliant testament to how simple ingredients can create an incredibly satisfying and addictive snack. They’re easy to make, bursting with sweet and spicy flavor, and offer that perfect crunch that makes them irresistible. Perfect for any sweet craving or gathering, they’re sure to become a new favorite!
Give this recipe a whirl and let me know how much you love these perfectly coated pretzel sticks! What’s your go-to sweet and salty snack? Share your ideas in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy snacking!
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