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The easiest 8 ingredients Salted Pretzel Magic Bars. These are some of the best cookie bars…rich and decadent, heavy on the chocolate, and oh so gooey! Made with pretzels, vanilla, sweet, sweetened condensed milk, coconut, chocolate chips, and peanuts for a cookie bar that’s addictingly delicious. Every bite is slightly crisp on top but soft and gooey in the center with just a bite of pretzel crunch. So DELICIOUS. Absolutely nothing not to love about these salty, sweet Magic Bars. Bonus? These bars are easy to make, use simple ingredients, and take only minutes to prep. They’re deliciously easy, they’re magical!
Happy Friday! Happy Snow Day! It’s been snowing hardcore here since Wednesday, so happy snow week/weekend for us. Perfect baking weather.
Right off the bat, I’m just going to say, these bars are really, really, hard not to love.
So let’s just jump right into them.
As I said above, they have that salty-sweet combination that truly keeps everyone coming back for seconds…and thirds. And on top of their deliciousness, they couldn’t be easier to make.
Soo, you see? They’re magic! In all seriousness though, they really are pretty amazing. Do you remember the Magic Bars your mom or grandma used to make? Well, these are those bars, only better.
Here’s the quick story
I’ve been wanting to share my mom’s Magic Bar recipe for the longest time, but just never found the perfect time. When we had a giant snow day this past week, the only thing I felt like doing was baking. I remembered back to these bars, and just like that, I found the perfect time to bake up mom’s Magic Bars.
Except, when I looked back at her recipe, I realized that the bars she makes are made with graham crackers. Don’t get me wrong, I love graham crackers, but I love them in a S’more, or maybe dipped in cold milk (does anyone else do this?). Not in my chocolate bars. And that’s when I had the idea for pretzels. It’s not rocket science or genius by any means, but it sure made these Magic Bars just a touch more delicious than all the rest out there.
Bold statement, but in my eyes, it’s true.
Here are the details.
The things about magic bars? They’re EASY. Which is one part of the “magic”.
Just mix a bunch of pretzel crumbs with melted butter, then press that mix into a baking dish. Now layer on the sweetened condensed milk (this is the key ingredient that really holds everything together). Then add the coconut, so many chocolate chips, and salty peanuts…and bake.
Twenty minutes later you’ll have the sweetest, prettiest Salted Pretzel Magic Bars. Simple as that.
Since these bars are very, very gooey when they come out of the oven, it’s best to really let them cool before cutting them. Usually, I’m all about cutting into bars warms, but with these, you’ve got to let them set up before you cut…unless you want to eat your bars with a fork. In which case, by all means, enjoy these warm out of the oven.
Yummmm.
Otherwise, let them cool. If you want to add a little extra touch, you can drizzle the top of the bars with melted chocolate. It’s not needed, but I love the look of the chocolate drizzle and we all know you can never have too much chocolate.
And if you’re into it, a little sprinkle of sea salt on top really seals the deal!
And that’s it. Do you see?
So simple, they’re magic. But what else makes them magic…they’re chocolatey, salty, sweet, gooey, and have just the tiniest bit of CRUNCH. Basically, they’re everything you could want out of a dessert bar.
I love to double the recipe, then cut up the second batch and send them off with my brothers to gift to everyone they snowboard with. Red especially loves bringing his friends HBH treats and these are always the biggest hit.
As I said, they’re pretty hard not to love.
Soo with that, how about some Friday night baking? These are easy enough to have mixed up and baked in less than an hour. And my guess is that you already have all the ingredients on hand. Bake that double batch and save the second batch for Sunday’s game. They’ll make the perfect Super Bowl dessert!
Looking for more quick desserts? Here are a few to try:
Lunchroom Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Lastly, if you make these salted pretzel magic bars, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Salted Pretzel Magic Bars
Servings: 22 bars
Calories Per Serving: 341 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups pretzel crumbs, plus extra pretzels for topping
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup roasted peanuts (or any other toasted nut)
- melted chocolate, for drizzling (optional)
- flaky sea salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment. 2. In a bowl, combine the pretzel crumbs, butter, and vanilla. Press the mix into the prepared baking dish. Gently pour the condensed milk over the pretzels in an even layer. Sprinkle the coconut flakes evenly over the condensed milk, then add 2 cups chocolate chips in an even layer and then layer on the nuts. Sprinkle over the remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Add a handful of pretzels, if desired. Press down with a fork to help submerge everything. 3. Bake the bars for 25 minutes. If desired, drizzle over a little melted chocolate. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt (if desired). Let cool before slicing.
Baking as I write. I’m thinking of drizzling with caramel??
Hey Lisa,
I’m sure that would work well! I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
I just ran out of parchment paper 🙁 can I just coat it with olive oil spray or butter? I’m so excited to try this!
Hey Alex,
Yes, either of those will be fine to use. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I just made these and they are amazing!! I’ll be keeping sweetened condensed milk stocked at my house because it’s the perfect snack for a crowd or just to munch on all day ?
Hey Lynn,
I am thrilled you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it! Happy Sunday! xTieghan
Maybe you can help I made these this morning per the recipe. I used my food processor to crumb the pretzels, what should the consistency be? They took a bit longer to brown around the edge and I have cooled them. The chocolate hasn’t set up and it doesn’t resemble a bar they are quite soft but tasty. Thought putting them in the fridge overnight……
Hey Annie,
Sorry you are having issues…I guess I am having a hard time understanding what you are having trouble with? These should not be a super hard bar, they are gooey and soft. Let me know how I can help! xTieghan
Should I adjust temps/times if I use a glass 9×13?
Hey Danica,
You should be fine following the recipe as is:) I hope you love them! xTieghan
The ingredients say Flaky Sea salt…but it’s not mentioned in the actual recipe steps. Do finish it with the flakes?
Hey Amy,
Yes, you will want to finish with flaky sea salt. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These look delicious! Would leaving out the coconut flakes ruin the ratios? Or do you have any suggestions for substitutions?
Hey Audrey,
I would use something like oats to replace the oats:) I hope you love the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Do you bake the pretzel layer before your put everything else on? I thought in your video this morning that’s what you did.
Hey Kate,
Nope, you don’t bake until the bars are assembled:) I hope you love the recipe! xTiegha
When do you use the sea salt?
Hey Jill,
You can sprinkle with flaky sea salt at the end of the recipe. I hope you love them! xTieghan
Any replacement for the coconut flakes? Or just omit?
Hey Christina,
You want to replace the coconut with something like oats. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
These looked amazing, but were just ok for me. I just noticed that the recipe calls for the coconut to go directly after the condensed milk and THEN the chocolate, but your Instagram shows the chocolate first and then the coconut. That may have made them hold together more. These took multiple hours to cool down for me and for the chocolate to solidify again. It would be good to note that they need to sit and cool for quite a while or to put them in the fridge. Also would be good to add a note for when to add the flaky salt as well since it’s not in the recipe. Anyways, big fan of yours and love most of your recipes I’ve tried! Just wanted to share my experience with this one. 🙂
Thanks for trying the recipe Victoria! xTieghan
Can you leave out the coconut?
Hey Crystal,
You will want to use something in place of the coconut, I would recommend oats. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Do you have any suggestion for a coconut and (totally) nut free version? Not sure what I should sub in for those – or if it’s even possible without the two.
Hey Shari,
I haven’t tested this, but I would try oats for the coconut and extra chocolate chips, M&M’s, or white chocolate chips for the nuts. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know how they turn out. xTieghan
Hi! This looks delicious, any substitute recommendations to make it vegan ?
Hey Emanuelle,
You could try using ghee and sweetened condensed coconut milk. I have not tried these substitutes, let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
Do you prefer salted pretzel sticks over unsalted? Do you think toasted almonds on top would taste okay?
Hey Jenny,
I prefer salted pretzels and yes almonds would be good. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan