Christmas Pretzel Treats

Christmas pretzel treats with m&ms and Hershey hugs are an easy and festive treat to enjoy throughout the holiday season. I’ve loved these pretzel kiss m&m treats since I was a kid (a lot of my friends’ families would make them), so about 5 years ago I decided these delightfully salty sweet treats needed to be added into my family’s holiday tradition too!

While this holiday day treat is pretty simple to make, we’ve tested out all kinds of different ways of making these and have provided lots of tips for you to have the best and smoothest experience!

These treats are always a hit, and tend to disappear fast! I’ve found these cute little treats to be perfect for filling out your cookie tray (no gaps or empty spaces!). They’re also fun to add into your treat exchanges too and work well for gifting to friends, family, and teachers.

If you love these pretzel Christmas treats, be sure to check out all of our holiday recipes! You’d love our easy Reindeer Chow, Christmas Oreo Balls, m&m Christmas Cookies, Saltine Cracker Toffee, and Chocolate Mint Squares too!

Pretzel Kiss M&M Recipe Ingredients

• Square shaped pretzels: This shape makes a great base for your chocolate. The Snyder’s Pretzel Snaps are my go-to for these!
• Hershey’s Hugs: These white chocolate and milk chocolate candies are so delicious and the perfect choice for these Christmas pretzels! The white and brown stripes add visual interest and make this treat really cute. I usually grab a bag of holiday Hershey’s Hugs, but you can use the regular ones too (the only difference is the festive wrappers).
• Holiday m&ms: get that festive flair with red and green holiday m&ms! Or use regular m&m milk chocolate candies for an any time of year treat.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

How to Make Pretzel Hugs Treats

Preheat oven to 200°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place a single layer of pretzels on the baking sheet.

Top each pretzel with an unwrapped Hershey’s hug chocolate.

Bake for 4-5 minutes, until the hugs are shiny and soft (but still holding their shape).

Remove from the oven and carefully place an m&m in the center of each chocolate, gently pressing them down to spread the chocolate to the edge of the pretzels. This needs to be done quickly, while the hugs are still warm and soft.

Place the tray into the refrigerator or freezer to cool and set (about 5-10 minutes). When ready, remove from the lined baking sheet and enjoy!  

Pretzel Hershey Kiss M&M Recipe Variations

• Pretzel Hershey kiss m&m treats. Swap the Hershey Hugs for Hershey Kisses for a different look. Great for those who don’t like white chocolate.
  • Note: If you wanted to make these treats with half kisses and half hugs, I’d recommend cooking them separately as the different types of chocolate may melt at different rates.
• Christmas Rolo pretzels. Swap the hugs for Rolos. I mean…who doesn’t love some added caramel? I’ve seen Christmas Rolo pretzels made with m&ms and pecans on top… feel free to try a little of both!
• Add a sprinkle of holiday nonpareils sprinkles. These are the little ball-shaped sprinkles. This adds another layer of fun to these festive holiday treats!
• Make these for a variety of holidays by using different seasonal m&ms. These treats are adorable with the red and pink Valentine m&ms. They’re also super cute with the pastel Easter m&ms. 
• Use regular m&ms for an anytime of year treat! Any excuse to make and enjoy these is good with me!
• Use a different shape of pretzel. I’ve always made these with snaps (the square / checkerboard shaped pretzels. However, you could definitely make these with mini twists (classic shape) or circular (wheel style) pretzels too!

Possible Dietary Restrictions?

These Christmas pretzels are vegetarian as written. You can make your pretzel hug m&m treats gluten free by selecting gluten free pretzels! You may not find square gf pretzels, but mini twists will work as a base too if needed. According to the Hershey’s website, hugs are gluten free. Milk chocolate m&ms are also considered gluten free.

*If you are serving these treats to someone with celiac, it never hurts to check the nutrition label to confirm though.

Tips For Making Our Pretzel Hugs Recipe

Do NOT skip using the silicone mat (or parchment paper). I’ve made this mistake… the chocolate sticks to the pan, they’re tough to get off, and it makes a big a mess. Make your life easier and line your pan with a silicon baking mat or a sheet of parchment paper.

Keep an eye on your chocolates while they’re in the oven. You want to make sure you don’t melt your hugs. Keep the oven light on, and peek at them as needed to ensure they’re still holding their shape (a little droopy is ok). Take them out when they are shiny and soft (not totally melted). You can always put them back in for another minute if needed.

Do a test m&m to confirm your chocolates are ready. When your hugs look shiny and are still holding their shape, pull the baking sheet out of the oven and do a test m&m. If it’s not easy to press into the chocolate, put the tray back in to warm the chocolate for another minute.

Storing Christmas Pretzel Treats

Store pretzel m&m hug treats in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to two weeks (if they last that long!).

Serving Pretzel Hershey Kiss M&M Treats

Pretzel hug m&m treats are colorful and delicious treat for the holidays! Here are a few ideas of ways you can share and enjoy these treats:

• Add to a cookie tray or share at your next cookie exchange.
• Send them as a part of a holiday cookie box to loved ones.
• Place these in cellophane bags tied with a cute ribbon, or place in festive holiday tins, and gift them to neighbors, co-workers, or your kiddo’s teachers.