Sweet brown sugar, crunchy pretzels, and smooth chocolate all come together in these M&M Pretzel Bars. They’re chewy in the center with lightly crisp edges and a rich finish.
On short notice, I needed to bake something for a get together that evening. We didn’t have much time before heading out, so I figured the quickest, cleanest option was a pan of bars. I’d been wanting to use the mini M&M’s I picked up in those little tubes, and this felt like the perfect chance.
A quick look in the pantry turned up a handful of pretzels, so I broke them up and added them in. There was some hesitation at first (about the pretzels), but once they were tasted, they won everyone over. I thought they turned out pretty great too. The mix of sweet and salty really worked. If you happen to find Pretzel M&M’s, you could use those—but honestly, these are great as is.
Table of Contents
Why We Love These Pretzel Bars
- Buttery brown sugar dough creates a chewy, soft texture that’s easy to enjoy straight from the pan.
- Sliced bars are easy to store, stack, and transport for lunches or gatherings.
- The ingredients are pantry-friendly and easy to keep on hand for spontaneous baking.
Recipe Ingredients
Mini M&M’s – Bring in creamy milk chocolate flavor with a slight crunch from the candy shell. They add sweetness and color in a fun, familiar way.
Light Brown Sugar – Adds moisture and a deep, caramel-like flavor from the molasses. Helps create a chewy texture and enhances the overall richness of the bars.
Pretzels – Broken into small pieces, they add crunch and a toasty, salty flavor that contrasts with the soft, sweet base of the bars.
For a full list of ingredients and amounts, see the recipe card below.
Variations
Add Rice Krispies for Extra Crunch – For a lighter, crispy texture, fold in a small handful of Rice Krispies cereal along with the pretzels and M&M’s.
Swap in Chocolate Chips for M&M’s – If you’re out of M&M’s or want a more classic vibe, chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk) work well here and melt into the dough for a gooier texture.
How to Make M&M Pretzel Bars
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving at least a 2″ overhang (this makes pulling them out cleaner and easier).
Step 2: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and ½ tsp. salt. Set aside.
Step 3: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the melted butter and brown sugar for 30 seconds. Turn the speed to low and add one egg at a time. Add the vanilla and mix until combined.
Step 4: Remove the bowl from the stand mixer. Fold in the dry ingredients. Do not overmix. Gently fold in the M&M’s and pretzel pieces. Pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining salt over the top.
Step 5: Place in the oven and bake for 22–24 minutes, or until the top is shiny, cracked, and firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely (30 minutes). Remove the bars from the pan using the overhanging edges of the parchment or foil. Cut into bars.
Expert Tips
Crush Pretzels Gently – You want ¼” pieces, not crumbs. Big shards give a better texture contrast and stay crunchy after baking.
Chill the Dough for Thicker Bars – If you like thicker, softer bars, chill the batter in the pan for 15–20 minutes before baking. This slows spreading and keeps the centers chewier.
FAQs
Yes. Press extra M&M’s or pretzel pieces into the top of the dough before baking for a more decorative look. Flaky sea salt can also be sprinkled on after baking.
Wait until the bars are completely cool, then use a serrated knife or sharp chef’s knife. Wipe the blade between cuts to keep each slice neat and smooth.
Storage Information
Let the Pretzel Bars cool completely before slicing. STORE them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
If you need to keep them longer, you can FREEZE them—place the bars in a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. They’ll keep well for about 2 months. To REHEAT, let thaw at room temperature or microwave for 10–15 seconds if you prefer them slightly warm.
More Pretzel Recipes to Try
M&M Pretzel Bars Recipe
Recommended Products
Ingredients
- 1½ c. all-purpose flour
- 12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) unsalted butter - melted and cooled
- 1½ c. light brown sugar - packed
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. salt + an extra pinch to sprinkle on top
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ c. mini M&M’s (I bought 2 tubes at the check-out)
- ½ c. pretzels - broken into ¼” pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper, leaving at least a 2″ overhang (this makes pulling them out cleaner and easier).
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and ½ tsp. salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the melted butter and brown sugar for 30 seconds. Turn the speed to low and add one egg at a time. Add the vanilla and mix until combined.
- Remove the bowl from the stand mixer. Fold in the dry ingredients. Do not overmix. Gently fold in the M&M’s and pretzel pieces. Pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the remaining salt over the top.
- Place in the oven and bake for 22–24 minutes, or until the top is shiny, cracked, and firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely (30 minutes). Remove the bars from the pan using the overhanging edges of the parchment or foil. Cut into bars.
NOTES
Nutrition
Adapted from America’s Test Kitchen, Blondies
I love the crunchy pretzel bits in the recipe. They make these bars different in a good way!
Pinned to make for my co workers! Yum!
Thanks for the pin, Jaime! Your co-workers are going to love these 🙂