Name: Pretzel M&M Chocolate Hugs Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 70 square pretzels (do NOT use butter snaps); 70 Hershey's Hugs chocolates (from nearly 1 full 12 oz package), unwrapped; 70 Milk Chocolate M&M's (use red and green Christmas package or any preferred color)

Crunchy pretzels, smooth Hershey’s Hugs chocolates, and festive red-and-green M&M’s come together in the most delightful combo you’ll want to snack on again and again. This Pretzel M&M Chocolate Hugs Recipe is not just a treat—it’s a fun, easy way to brighten any party or quiet night at home.

The image shows a grid of small treats arranged neatly on a white marbled surface. Each treat has three layers: the bottom is a square, light brown pretzel with a slightly rough texture, followed by a melted white chocolate layer that fills the pretzel shape and is decorated with thin, diagonal milk chocolate stripes. On top of the white chocolate, a single red or green candy is placed in the center, alternating colors evenly across the grid. The candies are shiny and round, standing out against the smooth, creamy white chocolate base photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pretzel M&M Chocolate Hugs Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Pretzel M&M Chocolate Hugs Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Pretzel M&M Chocolate Hugs Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

There’s something magical about how salty, sweet, and colorful these pretzel bites come together – it’s hands down one of my favorite simple sweets to make. Plus, they’re so quick that you can whip them up anytime—holiday gifts, spontaneous parties, or just because.

Perfect Snack Size: Each pretzel bite is individually sized, making it super easy to share and enjoy without mess.
Minimal Ingredients: You only need three simple ingredients, which you might already have in your pantry.
Festive & Customizable: The colorful M&M’s bring a pop of fun, and you can easily swap colors for different holidays or occasions.
Quick & Fuss-Free: Under 30 minutes from start to finish means you won’t spend all day watching the oven.

The image shows a baking tray lined with white parchment paper holding multiple rows of small treats. Each treat has three layers: the bottom is a square, crunchy pretzel with a light brown color and visible salt grains; the middle layer is a white, round chocolate piece with smooth edges and dark brown chocolate swirls on top; the top layer is one red or green candy piece placed in the center with a shiny texture and a small white letter printed on it. The treats are neatly arranged in straight lines across the tray, which rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

These three key ingredients come together perfectly—the salty crunch of the pretzels with the creamy melt of Hershey’s Hugs and the candy coating of M&M’s. The Hershey’s Hugs soften without completely melting, so they hold just enough to hug the M&M’s and create that signature look.

Flat lay of a neat pile of square pretzels with golden brown edges, a small white ceramic bowl filled with shiny unwrapped silver-and-white Hershey's Hugs chocolates, a small white ceramic bowl containing glossy red and green milk chocolate M&M's, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Square Pretzels: Use the classic square kind (avoid butter snaps) because they hold the chocolate well and offer that perfect crunch.
Hershey’s Hugs Chocolates: These are a mix of white and milk chocolate, giving a gentle sweetness and meltability without losing shape.
Milk Chocolate M&M’s: I love using the red and green Christmas M&M’s for a festive look, but any color works great to fit your mood or season.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to play around with the M&M colors depending on the season—bright pastels for Easter, orange and black for Halloween. You can even swap the M&M’s for any candy drops you love, like peanut butter chips or butterscotch. It’s such a forgiving recipe to customize quickly.

Variation: One year, I replaced the Hershey’s Hugs with white chocolate chips to get an even creamier melt. It worked beautifully and gave a lovely vanilla flavor.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Pretzel M&M Chocolate Hugs Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pretzels and Chocolate

Start by preheating your oven to 200°F—low and slow is key here. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a Silpat to prevent sticking. Lay out 70 square pretzels in a single layer so they don’t crowd each other. Top each one with a Hershey’s Hug (unwrap these in advance, so you’re not scrambling!).

Step 2: Warm the Hugs Just Right

Pop the tray into the oven for 4 to 5 minutes—watch closely! You want the hugs to get shiny and soft but not melting into a puddle. If you leave them too long, they’ll lose their shape and get messy, so timing is important here.

Step 3: Press on the M&M's

Once the Hugs are perfectly soft, pull the tray from the oven. Quickly, place one Milk Chocolate M&M on top of each hug and gently press down. This spreads the chocolate a bit and locks the pretzel, chocolate, and candy together in that classic bite.

Step 4: Chill Until Set

For the chocolate to firm back up nicely, pop the tray in the fridge or freezer for at least 5 minutes. This helps the M&M’s stick without losing their crunch or melting the chocolate too much. Once set, store in an airtight container to keep that crunch fresh.

Top Tip

From my experience, the biggest difference in this Pretzel M&M Chocolate Hugs Recipe is nailing the timing during the oven step. Too little time, and the hugs don’t soften properly; too long, and they melt into a mess.

Watch Carefully: Set a timer for 4 minutes and peek through the oven door—once the chocolates start getting shiny, you’re there.
Use a Silpat or Parchment: This keeps cleanup easy—otherwise, melted hugs can stick stubbornly to the pan.
Press M&M’s Gently: You want to spread the chocolate without smashing the pretzel or cracking the candy shell.
Chilling Is Key: Don’t skip the fridge step—letting the chocolate set ensures a clean, satisfying snap.

How to Serve Pretzel M&M Chocolate Hugs Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the pretzels right after pressing the M&M’s for an extra pop of flavor. It contrasts beautifully with the sweet chocolate and candy coating.

Side Dishes

These little bites go well with a hot cup of coffee or milk for dunking. I also often pair them with fresh fruit or a simple cheese platter when hosting, balancing salty, sweet, and savory flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays, I arrange these on decorative platters in holiday shapes—like a Christmas wreath or a heart for Valentine’s Day. When gifting, I wrap them up in clear cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons for an easy, thoughtful homemade treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, away from heat or sunlight. This keeps the pretzels crunchy and the chocolate firm. They usually disappear quickly, but they’re just as tasty the next day!

Freezing

Freezing works well if you want to keep them longer—just layer them with parchment paper between each layer to avoid sticking. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat these since you want to keep the candy shells intact, but if the chocolate feels too firm, letting them sit for 10 minutes at room temperature softens them just enough for the perfect bite.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use any kind of pretzel for this recipe?

For the best results, use the classic square pretzels—not butter snaps or rods—because their shape holds the chocolate and candy better. Using the wrong pretzel might lead to breaks or uneven bites.

How long can I store Pretzel M&M Chocolate Hugs?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these can keep fresh for about 3 to 5 days. For longer storage, freezing is a great option as long as they’re well wrapped to prevent moisture exposure.

Can I use different candies instead of M&M's?

Absolutely! You can swap M&M's with any candy you like that fits on the pretzel without sliding off. Try butterscotch chips, peanut butter candies, or even mini chocolate chips for a twist.

Why do I bake the chocolate at a low temperature?

The low temperature gently softens the chocolate so it spreads enough to hold the M&M in place without melting completely. This keeps the fun shape of the hugs intact, giving each bite that perfect balance of crisp and creamy.

Final Thoughts

I’ve made the Pretzel M&M Chocolate Hugs Recipe countless times, and it never fails to impress guests or satisfy my late-night snack cravings. It’s one of those recipes that you can feel good about sharing—simple, fuss-free, and irresistibly delicious. Give it a try next time you want a quick treat that feels a little festive and a lot yummy. You’ll thank me later!