Buffalo Pretzels, an easy snack or appetizer recipe inspired by buffalo chicken wings. These buffalo flavored pretzel bits and pieces are fun for tailgating, parties, and the Super Bowl! The pretzels also freeze well too so you can make ahead in big batches!
Buffalo Pretzels, this recipe is just in time for the Super Bowl! It’s an easy snack or appetizer recipe that is a great make-ahead option for parties and tailgating. You can even make it in big batches and freeze it ahead of time.
This Buffalo Pretzels recipe kind of reminds me of homemade Chex Mix if you’ve ever made that but this has just pretzels and Buffalo style. This recipe is super easy!
You’ve probably seen similar buffalo style pretzels at the grocery store like Snyder’s Hot Buffalo Wings Pretzel Pieces. Well now you can make your own at home and make them as mild or as spicy as you’d like.
Equipment You May Need
- Resealable Bag – Nothing fancy, but a large resealable bag makes it easier to break up the large pretzel pieces.
- Meat Mallet –You could use a rolling pin, but a meat mallet makes it easy to break up the pretzels into smaller bits.
- Cookie Sheet – A large rimmed cookie sheet helps keep the pretzels in a nice shallow layer while baking.
(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)
Buffalo Pretzels Ingredients
- Pretzel Rods– I used long thick pretzel rods that could be broken into smaller pieces. I have not tried other pretzels such as pretzel chips, small sticks, or thin flat pretzels but might be fun to experiment with.
- Frank’s Hot Sauce – My favorite for all things buffalo. I used Frank’s Original. Or you can use a spicier option for HOT and SPICY buffalo style pretzels.
- Butter – I used unsalted since there’s a lot of salt in some of the other ingredients but you could probably use salted or even margarine if you prefer.
- Oil – You can use vegetable or canola oil.
- Worcestershire Sauce – Gives the pretzels a slight tang.
- Ranch Seasoning – You can use the store-bought ranch seasoning packets or use a homemade ranch seasoning.
- Garlic Powder – Just a little granulated garlic powder.
- Onion Powder – Again, just a little granulated onion powder for flavor.
How to Make Buffalo Pretzels
Step One: Preheat oven.
Step Two: Lightly tap the pretzels in a resealable bag with a meat mallet to break them up into large pieces. Pour pretzels onto a baking sheet.
Step Three: Mix together the hot sauce, butter, oil, Worcestershire sauce, Ranch, garlic, and onion. Drizzle over pretzels and toss to coat.
Step Four: Bake pretzels for 90 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool the pretzels so they crisp up again.
(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)
Serving Suggestions
- Although I like these pretzels warm out of the oven, you should probably let them cool to room temperature. My husband likes to eat them out of the freezer so I guess frozen is acceptable too.
- These Buffalo pretzels are great as-is but you can also serve them with your favorite dips like a Blue cheese dip or this Buffalo Wing Dip.
- Serve with other fun snacks and appetizers on a big tray for the best party food.
Quick Tips for Best Results
- I think large thick hard crispy pretzel rods work best. You can try other pretzel sizes and shapes but I haven’t tried too many, so I can’t say for sure how well they work out.
- Just gently break the pretzels with the meat mallet. Don’t go crazy or you’ll end up with a lot of crumbs. A few gentle taps and you should be good.
- Use a large rimmed baking sheet so the pretzels are in a nice single or shallow layer. The rim will also help the pretzels from falling into your oven.
- Be sure to mix the pretzels about every 15 minutes while baking so they can dry out. They might still seem a bit wet when they’re done, but let them cool completely and dry out to crisp back up. (Although I have to admit, they are delicious warm right out of the oven too.)
Buffalo Pretzels FAQ
How should I store Buffalo Pretzels?
Store the pretzels in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature.
Can I freeze Buffalo Pretzels?
Yes! My husband loves eating these pretzels right out of the freezer.
How long will Buffalo Pretzels last?
If your pretzels are fresh and they’re stored well they will easily last a week or more at room temperature or longer in the freezer.
Substitutions?
Instead of butter, you could use margarine. Instead of onion powder and/or garlic powder you can use your favorite spices.
Can I use low-fat ingredients?
You can try a low-fat margarine but I haven’t tried. Most pretzels should also already be low-fat but a low-fat version should be fine as well.
What else can I add to this recipe?
You can add your favorite dry spices and/or seasonings.
Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.
Vegan – You can use a vegan friendly margarine instead of butter. The other ingredients should be ok, but be sure to check all the labels.
Vegetarian –These pretzels are vegetarian.
Low-Carb – Pretzels are fairly high carb so it could be tough. You could try low carb or keto friendly pretzels but I haven’t tried.
Gluten-Free – You can use a gluten-free pretzel. Be sure to check labels of the other ingredients as well.
Other Buffalo Recipes You May Enjoy
- Buffalo Chicken Biscuit Poppers – Refrigerated biscuit dough stuffed with a buffalo chicken filling and baked.
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad – A delicious pasta salad that makes a great main dish or side dish.
- Buffalo Chicken Nachos – Simple snack food at its best!
Hope you enjoy this simple Buffalo Pretzels recipe. Tell me in the comments if you made any changes and how you liked the pretzels!
You might also like these other fun buffalo inspired recipes, Grilled Buffalo Wings and Buffalo Cauliflower!
Buffalo Pretzels
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pretzel rods (1 bag – long rods)
- 1 cup Frank’s hot sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or canola oil)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ounce Ranch seasoning mix (1 – 1 ounce packet or 3 Tablespoons Homemade Ranch Seasoning)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
- Place pretzel rods in resealable bag, and lightly tap with meat mallet to break into large pieces. Do in batches if necessary. Pour pretzels onto a large rimmed cookie sheet or in large baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, mix together hot sauce, butter, oil, Worcestershire sauce, Ranch, garlic, and onion until well combined. Drizzle over pretzels and gently toss pretzels to combine.
- Bake pretzels at 250 degrees F for 90 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
This post was originally published in January 2015, but updated in February 2021 with additional information.
About Lisa Huff
Lisa Huff is a Cookbook Author, Freelance Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Blogger/Writer, and award-winning home chef. She loves creating unique recipes from healthy to decadent including cocktails, appetizers, main dishes, dessert recipes and more and has appeared on various shows, publications, and websites.
Sounds great but can you use soft pretzels and cut in to chucks?
I don’t see why not. You just might need to bake them longer to dry them out if you want them crispy. I think it would be kind of like flavored pretzel croutons. :)
Looks great. Wish I had it for the game!
I normally pick the pretzels OUT of my chex mix, but that’s because I find them boring. This recipe sounds like it fixes that problem! I love the idea of breaking up larger pretzels to have extra textured surface area for the seasonings to grab on to.
Love this! My husband loves his hot sauce, so this will be a fun twist to replace chex mix at the Super Bowl party.
Great idea! These will be made for my party!