Christmas Rolo Pretzels Recipe – The 3-Ingredient Holiday Candy Everyone Loves

If you’re looking for a holiday treat that’s easy, festive, and irresistibly delicious, this Christmas Rolo Pretzels Recipe will be your new go-to. With just three ingredients—mini pretzels, chocolate Rolos, and M&Ms—you can whip up a crowd-pleasing Christmas candy in minutes.

These sweet-and-salty bites are the perfect combination of crunchy pretzels, gooey caramel chocolate, and colorful candy toppers. They’re bite-sized, adorable, and completely addictive. Whether you’re filling treat bags, topping cookie trays, or just snacking by the Christmas tree, Rolo Pretzels are the holiday treat you’ll make again and again.

🎄 Why You’ll Love Christmas Rolo Pretzels

• Only 3 Ingredients! No fancy tools or complicated prep needed.
• Quick & Easy: Ready in under 15 minutes from start to finish.
• Festive and Fun: Red and green M&Ms make them holiday-ready.
• Kid-Friendly: Little hands love helping press the M&Ms on top!
• Perfect for Gifting: Package in jars or bags for a colorful homemade treat.

These cheerful little candies are proof that sometimes, the simplest recipes make the biggest impact.

🍫 What Are Rolo Pretzels?

Rolo Pretzels are bite-sized candies made by melting Rolo chocolates—a delicious combo of caramel and milk chocolate—on top of salty pretzels, then pressing an M&M into the center before the chocolate sets.

The result? A chewy, crunchy, sweet-and-salty masterpiece that melts in your mouth and looks like it came straight from Santa’s workshop.

✨ Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe couldn’t be simpler. You only need:

• 50 mini pretzels (square or traditional twist-shaped)
• 50 Rolos (unwrapped)
• 50 red and green M&Ms (plain chocolate variety)

Optional Add-ins & Variations:

• Hershey’s Kisses instead of Rolos for a different twist
• White chocolate peppermint kisses + green M&Ms for a peppermint version
• Caramel M&Ms or peanut butter M&Ms for fun flavor swaps

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.

2. Arrange the Pretzels
Lay out your mini pretzels in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

3. Add the Rolos
Place one unwrapped Rolo candy in the center of each pretzel.

4. Bake Gently
Bake in the preheated oven for 3–4 minutes, just until the Rolos start to look soft and glossy. They shouldn’t melt completely—just enough to press down easily.

5. Add the M&Ms
Immediately remove the tray from the oven and gently press one M&M candy into the center of each softened Rolo. Use red and green M&Ms for that classic Christmas look!

6. Cool and Set
Allow the pretzels to cool at room temperature for about 15–20 minutes, or place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to speed things up.

7. Serve or Store
Once fully set, transfer your Rolo Pretzels to an airtight container or festive tins.

Christmas Rolo Pretzels

A festive 3-ingredient holiday candy made with mini pretzels, caramel-filled Rolos, and colorful M&Ms—sweet, salty, chewy, and perfect for gifting.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 50 pieces

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Calories: 90

Ingredients

  

Base

• 50 mini pretzels square or traditional twist

Topping

• 50 Rolos unwrapped
• 50 red and green M&Ms plain chocolate

Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Oven
• Spatula
• Refrigerator

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Arrange pretzels in a single layer on the prepared sheet.
3. Place one Rolo candy on top of each pretzel.
4. Bake for 3–4 minutes until Rolos are soft and glossy but not melted.
5. Remove from oven and immediately press one M&M onto each softened Rolo.
6. Cool at room temperature or refrigerate for 10 minutes until set.
7. Store in an airtight container or package for gifting.

Notes

Add variety by using Hershey’s Kisses, peppermint candies, or pecan halves instead of M&Ms.

🎅 Storage Tips

These candies keep beautifully!

• Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
• Refrigerator: Keeps for up to 1 month—great for early prep.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months, layered between parchment paper.

They make a perfect make-ahead treat for busy holiday weeks or cookie exchanges.

🎁 Gifting Ideas

Christmas Rolo Pretzels are the ideal edible gift. Here are a few creative ways to package them:

• Mason jars with red ribbon and a gift tag reading “Merry & Sweet!”
• Cellophane bags tied with festive bows for teachers or coworkers
• Cookie tins mixed with other holiday goodies like peppermint bark or fudge

Pro tip: Pair them with homemade hot cocoa mix for a cozy, thoughtful gift set.

🍬 Flavor Variations

Once you’ve mastered the classic Rolo Pretzel, get creative!

1. Peppermint Twist:
Use peppermint Kisses instead of Rolos and top with green M&Ms for a minty treat.

2. Peanut Butter Delight:
Replace the Rolo with a mini Reese’s cup for a salty-sweet peanut butter bite.

3. Turtle Pretzels:
Press a pecan half into the softened Rolo for a homemade turtle candy.

4. Snowy Pretzels:
Drizzle white chocolate over cooled Rolo Pretzels and sprinkle with edible glitter or crushed candy canes.

5. Valentine or Easter Versions:
Swap the M&M colors for pink and red or pastel tones—this recipe works for any holiday!

🎨 Tips for Perfect Christmas Rolo Pretzels

• Don’t overbake. Watch closely! The Rolos should be soft, not melted puddles.
• Use parchment paper. It prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Even spacing matters. Keep the pretzels evenly spaced so the chocolate doesn’t run together.
• Make ahead. They store wonderfully and taste even better the next day.
• Involve kids. Little ones love pressing on the colorful M&Ms—it’s a fun family tradition.

🧁 Nutritional Information (Per Piece)

• Calories: 90
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 3mg
• Sodium: 65mg
• Sugar: 8g

🎉 Fun Fact: The Origins of Rolo Candies

Rolo candies were first created in England in 1937 by Mackintosh’s and later became a Hershey’s favorite in the U.S. Known for their rich caramel centers and smooth milk chocolate coating, Rolos have been used in everything from cookies to brownies—and now, these simple pretzel treats!

Combining them with pretzels was a genius American home cook invention that turned an everyday candy into one of the most popular holiday hacks ever.

🌟 Why This Recipe Belongs on Your Christmas Dessert Table

Between baking cookies, wrapping presents, and decorating the tree, the last thing anyone needs is a complicated recipe. Christmas Rolo Pretzels are the opposite of stressful—they’re foolproof, festive, and guaranteed to impress.

They check every holiday box:
✅ Sweet & salty
✅ Quick to make
✅ Fun for kids
✅ Perfect for sharing

So grab a bag of pretzels, unwrap those Rolos, and make some sweet holiday magic in under 15 minutes.