Spicy parmesan pretzels are easy to make and loaded with flavor. Great for parties or snacking!
My love of flavored pretzels runs deep. The ones sold at the store tend to be a little too salty for my taste. So I make my own. These spicy parmesan pretzels are one of those “I can’t stop eating these!” recipes.
Spicy Parmesan Pretzels: Ingredients
Mini Pretzel Twists. Any bite-size pretzel works for this recipe. I don’t recommend thick rods or other large varieties. If you’re gluten-free, use gluten-free pretzels.
Butter. Melted butter coats the pretzels and gives them a lovely rich flavor.
Garlic Powder. Use garlic powder and not garlic salt in this recipe. Garlic salt makes the pretzels too salty.
Onion Powder. As with garlic powder, use onion power and not onion salt.
Cayenne Pepper. The spicy kick in this recipe comes from ground cayenne pepper. If you like spice, use 1/2 teaspoon (or more!). For a mild flavor, use 1/4 teaspoon or omit the pepper completely.
Parmesan Cheese. The best parmesan to use on these pretzels isn’t freshly grated parmesan. It’s the parmesan that comes in the can. Yup! The powdery texture clings perfectly to the pretzels.
How to Make Spicy Parmesan Pretzels
Season the Pretzels. Combine melted butter with the spices and stir. Then pour the mixture over the pretzels. Stir the pretzels and butter mixture together so that all the pretzels are coated with the mixture. Once the pretzels are coated with the butter, add the parmesan cheese. Stir to coat. That’s it!
Bake the Pretzels. Spread the pretzels out onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake until golden, about 8 to 10 minutes. Doing this helps set the coating on the pretzels.
Serve and Store. Once the pretzels cool, it’s time to enjoy! Store any leftover pretzels in an airtight container for up to a week.
Spicy Parmesan Pretzels
Ingredients
- 4 cups mini pretzels
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted (2 ounces; 56 grams)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, see note
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, see note
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 275° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Place pretzels into a large bowl. Stir together melted butter, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and onion powder in a small bowl. Pour melted butter over the pretzels. Stir to evenly coat the pretzels. Add the parmesan cheese and stir.
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Spread pretzels evenly out onto the baking sheet.
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Bake until topping is set, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Store in an airtight container.
Recipe Notes
Ingredient Notes
Pretzels. Use bite-size pretzels or sticks. Large pretzel rods or twists aren’t recommended.
Butter. Melt butter in either a microwave-safe container or in a small pot on the stove. Allow the butter to cool for a minute or so before adding the spices. If you don’t want to use butter, margarine or oil are good substitutes.
Garlic and Onion Powder. Use garlic and onion powder, not garlic salt or onion salt.
Ground Cayenne Pepper. The amount of cayenne pepper you use depends on how much spicy heat you like. For a mild spice, use 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. For spicy pretzels, use 1/2 teaspoon or more.
Parmesan Cheese. Canned parmesan cheese makes the perfect topping for these pretzels. The powdery texture clings to the pretzels.
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