Crack Pretzels are the kind of snack that’s nearly impossible to resist! They're mini pretzels coated in a perfectly seasoned mixture of popcorn oil, ranch seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, ground mustard, and a hint of heat from cayenne pepper. The flavor is savory, garlicky, and tangy with a crispy crunch that keeps you coming back for more!
What makes them a perfect appetizer is their addictive combination of bold flavor and crunchiness. They’re easy to grab by the handful, so they work well for parties, game days, or any casual gathering. Plus, they’re easy to make with easy to find ingredients—just pretzels, popcorn oil, and flavoful spices. Once you try them, you’ll understand why they’re called “crack” pretzels!
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Why You'll Love Them
Flavor, flavor, flavor! My husband has never been a pretzel fan, but he couldn't stop eating these! The combination of flavors is incredibly pleasing to your taste buds! Feeling zippy? Dip them in this Lemon Dill Sauce and get blown away!
Fun, bite-size snack. Because we use "mini" pretzels, it's fun to pop them in your mouth. Pour them in a bowl, then grab a big handful! Or see below for fun party appetizer container ideas. Mini mason jars are too cute!
Easy appetizer. Mix the oil with the seasonings, then toss the pretzels with the flavored oil. Let it soak in; then bake! The recipe makes a lot so it's great for big crowd.
Make ahead - you can make crack pretzels a day or two before your party! Just store them in an airtight container to keep them crispy crunchy.
Ingredients for Crack Pretzels
Mini pretzels - I love how the mini pretzels seem to "hold on" to the seasoning in their nooks and crannies. However, you can use pretzel sticks instead.
Popcorn oil - the popping oil is flavored, giving the pretzels another layer of delicious tastiness and I recommend it. However, a good substitute is canola oil, vegetable oil, or even butter.
Ranch seasoning mix - Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning mix is the base seasoning and gives the pretzels their iconic ranch-dill taste.
Smoked paprika and cayenne pepper - add "pop" and a little heat to the flavor. I love how the splash of heat doesn't register until after you've eaten it 🙂
Bonus seasonings - garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and dry mustard work in unison to "seal the deal" with the addictive nature of this snack!
How to Serve Crack Pretzels
Here are some fun single-serving container ideas for your Seasoned Pretzels that are great for your get-togethers as party appetizers:
- Mini Mason Jars
Fill small mason jars with pretzels and tie a ribbon around the lid for a cute, reusable option. - Paper Cups or Cones
Use patterned paper cups or cones for a colorful, easy-to-hold snack. - Clear Plastic Cups
Layer pretzels with small dollops of cheese spread or dip for a parfait-style presentation. - Mini Takeout Boxes
Use small paper takeout boxes (often available in festive designs) for a playful, portable option. - Treat Bags
Pre-portion pretzels into small clear bags, tied with ribbon or twist ties. - Decorative Buckets or Pails
Use tiny party favor pails for a rustic or themed touch. - Cupcake Liners
Place pretzels in sturdy decorative cupcake liners for easy snacking. - Mini Snack Trays
Use bento-box-style containers to pair pretzels with small servings of Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip or other snacks like cheese cubes. - Reusable Ramekins
Fill ceramic or glass ramekins with pretzels and offer them as keepsakes after the party.
How to Make Crack Pretzels
Step 1. Blend the oil with all the seasonings.
Step 2. Place pretzels in a large rimmed sheet pan. Pour seasoning oil over the pretzels. Let them "marinate" tossing several times. Then bake as directed.
Step 3. Place the baked seasoned pretzels in your favorite serving bowl. Behold and enjoy these Crack Pretzels!
Recipe Tips
For the best results, mix the pretzels and the seasoned oil in the sheet pan. You might get tempted to mix everything up in a plastic zipper bag or a separate bowl, but too much of the oil and seasoning get left behind.
Make ahead friendly! Mix everything up, store in an airtight container, and bake the next day.
Store baked and cooled crack pretzels in an airtight container for 4-5 days.
Recipe FAQs
The key is to bake them low and slow. Since they're already baked, you don't want to overbake them or burn them. Baking them in a low oven, 250F, for about 15 minutes.
Yes! Try adding a little brown sugar to the oil-seasoning blend.
Stored in an airtight container, they should stay crunchy for 4-5 days.
Yes! You may have to slightly adjust the baking time.
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Recipe
Equipment
- large rimmed sheet pan
Ingredients
- 16 oz Snyder's of Hanover mini pretzels
- 1 cup Orville Redenbacher's popping and topping oil
- 1 oz package dry Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning Mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasonning
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Spread the pretzels onto a large rimmed baking sheet/pan.
- In a small bowl, mix the oil with all the seasonings.
- Pour the seasoned oil over the pretzels and toss to thorougly coat all the pretzels. Let the pretzels rest for 30 minutes, stirring and tossing the mixture with a spatula after every 10 minutes and at the end of the rest time. This allows the pretzels to absorb the oil and seasonings. During the last 10 minutes, preheat your oven to 250F.
- Place the pan in the center of the pre-heated oven and bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking. Let them completely cool off in the pan. Pour the pretzels and any remaining seasoned oil into your favorite serving bowl. The leftover seasoned oil in the pan has a lot of flavor, so use a spatula to get all of it out and mix it in with the pretzels.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy to my readers. I'm not a nutritionist and I don't guarantee the accuracy of this data. The data may differ according to the brands I used versus the brands you use. To calculate the data yourself using your brands, try using an online nutrition calculator or app.
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