Crispy, salty pretzels dipped in smooth candy coating are the kind of sweet snack that’s fun, festive, addictive and entirely shareable.
Simple dipped pretzels have been an American favorite for more than a century, but more recently, confectioners have kicked the idea up a few notches, bringing a host of creative new flavors to store shelves.
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That said, it is important to know that dipped pretzels are not available everywhere. Top grocers may stock none. But snack hot spots such as CVS or liquor stores may have entire racks devoted to the category. That said, the undisputed top player is Trader Joe’s — the stores stock no less than nine different varieties.
Good dipped pretzels start with a super fresh, crispy pretzel and great quality coatings. Tweaks, twists and additions can vary, but the the combination must result in a perfect balance of rich flavors and pleasing textures. The very best are bites of perfection.
Bad dipped pretzels are just wrong. They are stale, salty or far too sweet. The worst are lumps of yuck thanks to cheap, tasteless ingredients.
Here are details on dipped pretzels that are worth sharing with friends, and the dreadful regrettable bites to leave on the shelf. Nutrition info refers to just under an ounce, 6-10 pretzels, depending on size.
Reese’s Dipped Pretzels
The flavor of a sweet Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup wrapped around a salty pretzel makes these addictively good. You’ve been warned. 131 calories, 6.5 grams fat, 107 milligrams sodium, 9 grams sugar, 3 grams protein. $5.99 for 8.5 ounces at CVS. (4 stars)
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spiced Teeny Tiny Pretzels
These tiny pretzels coated in pumpkin pie-spiked white chocolate and topped with crispy bits of salty pumpkin seed are a delicious bite of fall. 135 calories, 6 grams fat, 190 milligrams sodium, 12 g sugar, 2 g protein. $3.49 for 6 ounces. (4 stars)
Trader Joe’s Cookies & Creme Pretzel Slims
Stirring crispy chocolate cookie crumbs into white candy coating is an inspired and delicious idea and the thin pretzel crisp inside adds a hint of butteriness that makes for a luscious snack. The only flaw is that they are ugly. 140 calories, 5 grams fat, 115 milligrams sodium, 12 grams sugar, 2 grams protein. $3.49 for 6 ounces. (3 1/2 stars)
Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pretzels
Crispy, crackly pretzel wrapped around a nugget of peanut butter and coated in top quality chocolate make these a toothsome snack. Add a dash of moisture to the peanut butter and they’d be perfect. 149 calories, 7 grams fat, 112 milligrams sodium, 9 grams sugar, 4 grams protein. $4.49 for 12 ounces. (3 1/2 stars)
Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Covered Mini Pretzels
Great quality dark chocolate with a bitter finish makes these a great choice for fans of dark chocolate. These will satisfy the craving. 140 calories, 7 grams fat, 160 milligrams sodium, 9 grams sugar, 2 grams protein. $4.29 for 12 ounces. (3 1/2 stars)
Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Covered Mini Pretzels
Milky rich chocolate that’s velvety and not overly sweet makes these a better than average treat, but the pretzel inside is a bit too salty. 140 calories, 6 grams fat, 160 milligrams sodium, 11 grams sugar, 2 grams protein. $4.29 for 12 ounces. (3 1/2 stars)
Trader Joe’s Ube Pretzels
These pretty purple pretzels are supposedly flavored with the Japanese ube potato. That’s debatable, but the sweet, vanilla-forward coating and pop of salt on top turns ordinary pretzels into a yummy confection nonetheless. 135 calories, 6 grams fat, 166 milligrams sodium, 11 grams sugar, 2 grams protein. $3.49 for 7 ounces. (3 stars)
Trader Joe’s Mocha Latte Pretzels
Coffee and chocolate are a natural pairing, and the punch of coffee flavor is impressive, if a bit unnatural. The bigger issue is that these are simply too sweet. 131 calories, 6 grams fat, 15 milligrams sodium, 13 grams sugar, 2 grams protein. $2.99 for 7 ounces. (2 1/2 stars)
Favorite Day Milk Chocolate & Toffee Covered Mini Pretzels
While these look cute and have a lovely crunch thanks to the bits of toffee on top, the flavor of the toffee is barely detectable. 120 calories, 4.5 grams fat, 280 milligrams sodium, 6 grams sugar, 2 grams protein. $3.89 for 6 ounces at Target. (2 stars)
Trader Joe’s Yogurt Pretzels
These pretty pretzels are carefully coated, but the pretzel-to-coating ratio is off, and the coating lacks the tangy note of yogurt. 140 calories, 6 grams fat, 177 milligrams sodium, 13 grams sugar, 2 grams protein. $4.29 for 12 ounces. (1 1/2 stars)
Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Almond Butter Pretzel Nuggets
The chocolate coating on these is faultless, but the pretzel inside is more hard than crispy, and the almond butter filling falls flat. 145 calories, 7 grams fat, 113 milligrams sodium, 8 grams sugar, 3 grams protein. $4.49 for 8 ounces. (1 1/2 stars)
Favorite Day Dark Chocolate Covered Mini Pretzels
Too much salt, cheap chocolate and a pretzel that lacks crunch make these a poor choice. 120 calories, 5 grams fat, 240 mg sodium, 7 grams sugar, 2 grams protein. $3.89 for 7 ounces at Target. (1 star)
Flipz White Fudge Covered Pretzels
Stale pretzels dipped in white candy that has no relation to fudge make these a regrettable choice. 140 calories, 5 grams fat, 90 milligrams sodium, 13 grams sugar, 2 grams protein. $5.69 for 7.5 ounces at CVS. (1/2 star)
Flipz Milk Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Tooth-achingly sweet milk chocolate that tastes more like dried milk powder than chocolate is the first mistake. Stale pretzels is the second. 140 calories, 5 grams fat, 100 milligrams sodium, 12 grams sugar, 2 grams protein. $5.69 for 7.5 ounces at CVS. (no stars)
Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at [email protected]. Read more Taste-Off columns at www.mercurynews.com/tag/taste-off.