Introduction
Okay, so picture this: you’re curled up on the couch, maybe watching a movie, maybe just enjoying a quiet moment, and you NEED a snack. Not just any snack, but something that hits that perfect sweet and salty spot. Something crunchy, something comforting. Enter these Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks! They are seriously one of my absolute favorite things to whip up because they are SO incredibly easy and quick. You won’t believe how fast a whole batch disappears, whether you’re keeping them all to yourself (no judgment here!) or sharing them with friends. They bring back memories of simple, happy times, and honestly, aren’t those the best kind of snacks?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, you can have these ready in under 30 minutes.
- Easy: No fancy equipment or tricky techniques needed. If you can stir, you can make these!
- Giftable: Tie a ribbon around a jar of these, and you’ve got the perfect homemade gift that everyone will rave about.
- Crowd-pleasing: Kids and adults alike go absolutely crazy for these.
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to snack heaven! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 bag (12 ounces) thick pretzel sticks: I really recommend the dipping sticks because they’re sturdy and hold onto that delicious coating perfectly.
- ½ cup melted and slightly cooled butter: Make sure it’s cooled a little so you don’t melt the sugar coating later.
- 1 large egg white: This is our secret ingredient for getting that cinnamon sugar to really stick!
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Adds a lovely depth of flavor that makes these irresistible.
- 1 cup granulated sugar: The sweet part of our sweet and salty dream.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon: Can you even have cinnamon sugar without cinnamon? Use a good quality one!
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get this snack party started! It’s ridiculously simple, I promise.
First, preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). This low and slow temperature is key to getting them perfectly crispy without burning.
Next, grab a really large bowl. You’ll want one big enough to hold all those pretzel sticks with room to toss.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the slightly cooled melted butter, the egg white, and the vanilla extract. Whisk it well until it’s all combined and looks a little frothy.
In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until they are evenly mixed. This is your magical coating!
Now, pour the butter/egg white mixture over the pretzel sticks in the large bowl. Gently toss or stir the pretzels until they are evenly coated with the wet mixture. You want every stick to get a little love.
Next, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the coated pretzels. Again, gently toss and stir until the cinnamon sugar is stuck to the pretzels. You might find it helpful to do this in batches if your bowl isn too big.
Spread the coated pretzels out in a single layer on a large baking sheet. I like to line mine with parchment paper for easy cleanup, but it’s not strictly necessary.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the coating looks dry and the pretzels are crispy. Give them a stir about halfway through the baking time to help them crisp evenly.
Once they’re done, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet. As they cool, the coating will harden and they’ll become perfectly crunchy.
Substitutions & Additions
Want to play around with the recipe? Here are a few ideas!
- Different Pretzels: You could try mini pretzels or even pretzel twists, but I find the sticks work best for getting an even coating. Just be mindful of baking time if using smaller shapes.
- Spices: Add a pinch of nutmeg, ginger, or even a dash of pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal twist.
- Brown Sugar: You could try substituting some of the granulated sugar with light brown sugar for a slightly richer, molasses flavor.
- Sweet & Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cinnamon sugar mixture for a surprising kick!
- Chocolate Drizzle: Once cooled, melt some chocolate chips (milk, dark, or white) and drizzle it over the pretzels for an extra decadent treat.
Tips for Success
Making these is super easy, but here are a few tips to make sure they turn out perfect every single time:
- Don’t Skip the Egg White: This is key for getting the sugar to really adhere to the pretzels. Without it, the sugar will just fall off.
- Cool the Butter: Hot butter can start to dissolve the sugar mixture prematurely. Let it cool for a few minutes after melting.
- Low and Slow Baking: The low oven temperature is important for drying out the coating and making the pretzels crispy without burning the sugar.
- Even Coating is Key: Take your time tossing the pretzels with both the wet and dry mixtures to ensure each stick is well-coated.
- Cool Completely: Don’t touch them until they are totally cool! The coating will be soft when hot and will harden as it cools.
How to Store It
These pretzels are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature. A zip-top bag works too! Kept properly, they should stay fresh and crispy for about 1-2 weeks. Though, honestly, I doubt they’ll last that long!
FAQs
Can I use gluten-free pretzels?
Yes, you can absolutely use gluten-free pretzel sticks! The rest of the ingredients are typically gluten-free, so just swap the pretzels.
Why do I use an egg white?
The egg white acts as a binder, helping the cinnamon sugar mixture stick firmly to the pretzels during baking. It creates a slightly crispy, sweet shell.
Can I make a smaller batch?
Absolutely! You can easily halve the recipe if you only need a smaller amount. Just make sure your bowl is still large enough to toss the pretzels properly.
My coating isn’t sticking, what went wrong?
Usually, this means the pretzels weren’t fully coated in the butter/egg white mixture first, or the butter might have been too hot. Make sure every pretzel gets a good coat of the wet mixture before adding the sugar.
Easy & Addictive Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks
Equipment
- Oven
- Large bowl
- Medium bowl
- Small bowl
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper Optional, for easy cleanup
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 bag thick pretzel sticks 12 ounces, dipping sticks recommended
- 0.5 cup melted butter slightly cooled
- 1 large egg white
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon use good quality
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
- Next, grab a really large bowl.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the slightly cooled melted butter, the egg white, and the vanilla extract. Whisk it well until it's all combined and looks a little frothy.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and ground cinnamon until they are evenly mixed.
- Now, pour the butter/egg white mixture over the pretzel sticks in the large bowl. Gently toss or stir the pretzels until they are evenly coated with the wet mixture. You want every stick to get a little love.
- Next, sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the coated pretzels. Again, gently toss and stir until the cinnamon sugar is stuck to the pretzels. You might find it helpful to do this in batches if your bowl isn too big.
- Spread the coated pretzels out in a single layer on a large baking sheet. I like to line mine with parchment paper for easy cleanup, but it's not strictly necessary.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the coating looks dry and the pretzels are crispy. Give them a stir about halfway through the baking time to help them crisp evenly.
- Once they're done, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet. As they cool, the coating will harden and they'll become perfectly crunchy.