Oh my gosh, you guys – Halloween baking just got a whole lot cuter with these ghost pretzels! I swear my kids start counting down to October the moment the school year begins, and these little spooky snacks have become our favorite tradition. They’re ridiculously simple – just pretzels, white chocolate, and candy eyeballs – but the way they scream “BOO!” (literally, if you look at their open mouths) always steals the show. I first made them for my daughter’s kindergarten party when I was scrambling for a last-minute treat, and now we can’t imagine a Halloween without them. When something takes 15 minutes flat and gets this many squeals? That’s my kind of kitchen magic.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Ghost Pretzels
Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become your go-to Halloween treat. Here’s why:
- Crazy simple: Only 4 ingredients and 15 minutes start-to-finish – even my 7-year-old can help!
- Total crowd-pleaser: Kids go nuts for the silly screaming faces, and adults sneak them like candy.
- No-bake magic: Just melt, dip, and stick – no oven required (perfect for busy October nights).
- Halloween fun: They look adorable on party platters or tucked into treat bags for classroom parties.
Seriously – these little ghosts might just haunt your recipe repertoire all year round!
Ingredients for Ghost Pretzels
Okay, here’s the beautiful part – you probably have most of this in your pantry already! The full list is tiny but mighty:
- 30 mini pretzels – I swear by Snyder’s or Shultz for their perfect “scream mouth” shape
- 6 oz Guittard Vanilla Milk Chips (that’s half a standard bag) – their creaminess makes all the difference
- ½ tsp coconut oil or shortening – just enough to thin the chocolate for smooth dipping
- 1 package (0.88 oz) Wilton Candy Eyeballs – the standard size fits those pretzel holes like, well, eyeballs in sockets!
Pro tip: Grab an extra bag of eyeballs – someone always sneaks a handful before decorating time!
Equipment Needed for Ghost Pretzels
You won’t need anything fancy here – just grab:
- Microwave-safe glass bowl – perfect for melting chocolate without scorching
- Fork – your trusty dipping and shaking tool
- Baking sheet lined with wax paper, parchment, or a silicone mat – ghosts hate sticking!
That’s it! No special gadgets – just everyday kitchen basics.
How to Make Ghost Pretzels
Ready for the easiest Halloween magic trick? Here’s exactly how we bring these little ghosts to life – with zero fuss and maximum fun!
First, line your baking sheet with wax paper, parchment, or a silicone mat. Trust me, nothing’s spookier than ghosts stuck to the pan!
Next, melt your vanilla milk chips with the coconut oil in short microwave bursts (10-20 seconds at a time!), stirring between each. You want it silky smooth – overheated chocolate turns grainy, and nobody wants a ghost with texture issues.
Now the fun part: Grab a pretzel with a fork, dunk it completely, then give it a little shake over the bowl. That wiggle helps chocolate drip through the bottom hole to create the perfect “screaming mouth” effect. Place it on your prepared sheet and immediately press in two eyeballs while the chocolate’s still wet. If they won’t stick, dab on a tiny extra chocolate dot as glue.
Work fast – that chocolate sets quicker than you’d think! If it starts hardening, you can microwave it once more briefly, but reheating too much makes it seize.
Finally, pop your sheet in the freezer for about 10 minutes. That chill sets everything perfectly so you can peel them off cleanly. Then? BOO! You’ve got yourself a batch of adorable ghost pretzels ready to haunt hungry trick-or-treaters.
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15-Minute Ghost Pretzels Your Kids Will Scream For
Ghost Pretzels are a fun and easy Halloween treat made with mini pretzels, vanilla milk chocolate, and candy eyeballs.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 30 ghost pretzels 1x
Ingredients
- 30 mini pretzels (like Shultz or Snyder’s)
- 6 oz (170 g) Guittard Vanilla Milk Chips (equal to 1 cup; half of a 12oz bag)
- ½ tsp coconut oil or shortening, for thinning the chocolate
- 0.88 oz (25 g) pkg Wilton Candy Eyeballs
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with wax paper, parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
- Melt the white chocolate and coconut oil (or shortening) in a glass bowl in the microwave, for short 10-20 second bursts, until melted.
- Immediately dip pretzels, one at a time, in the bowl, using a fork to turn the pretzel over. Shake off excess chocolate from the pretzel with the fork. Be sure to shake the chocolate out of the bottom hole, so it looks like an open mouth — screaming. Place chocolate dipped pretzels on the prepared baking sheet.
- Immediately press two eyeballs into the top two holes for eyes — add a little extra chocolate if needed.
- Repeat with remaining pretzels. Work quickly. Heating the chocolate again only once, if needed.
- Allow pretzels to rest and harden. Place in freezer for 10 minutes to speed up the process. Peel pretzels off the baking sheet and enjoy!
Notes
- Use standard-sized candy eyeballs for best results.
- Work quickly as the chocolate hardens fast.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pretzel
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 2mg
Tips for Perfect Ghost Pretzels
Want ghost pretzels that’ll make everyone scream (in the best way)? Here are my tried-and-true tips: Work fast – that chocolate sets quicker than a ghost disappears! Use standard-sized eyeballs – they fit those pretzel holes just right. And only reheat the chocolate once if needed – overdoing it makes it seize. Oh, and don’t skip the freezer chill! It’s the secret to perfect, mess-free peeling. Trust me, these little tricks make all the difference.
Variations for Ghost Pretzels
Once you’ve mastered the classic version, try these fun twists! Swap dark chocolate for an eerie goth ghost look, or add colored sprinkles for a festive touch. For Halloween parties, use different sized eyeballs to create a whole ghost family – some wide-eyed with terror, others winking mischievously. Feeling extra? A tiny dot of red icing makes for hilariously dramatic “bloodshot” eyes. The possibilities are endless!
Storing and Reheating Ghost Pretzels
Good news – these little ghosts keep perfectly happy in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days (if they last that long!). No reheating needed – the chocolate stays crisp, and eyeballs stay put. Just pop them straight from the container to your Halloween party tray!
Nutritional Information for Ghost Pretzels
Okay, let’s keep it real – these ghost pretzels are a treat, but they’re not exactly health food! Each little ghost comes in at about 50 calories, with 4g of sugar, 75mg of sodium, and 2g of fat. They’ve got 7g of carbs and 1g of protein – just enough to keep those trick-or-treaters going. These numbers are estimates, of course, but hey, it’s Halloween – a little indulgence is part of the fun, right?
FAQs About Ghost Pretzels
Can I use dark chocolate instead of vanilla milk chocolate?
Absolutely! Dark chocolate makes for some delightfully spooky “goth ghosts” – just melt it the same way. My kids love doing half-and-half batches for a haunted variety pack.
How long do ghost pretzels stay fresh?
They’ll haunt your taste buds happily for up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temp. The chocolate stays crisp, and the eyeballs stay put – no ghostly deterioration here!
Can I use homemade white chocolate instead?
While you can, I recommend Guittard chips for reliability. Homemade chocolate often doesn’t set as firmly, and we want those ghosts to hold their scream-worthy shape!
What if my candy eyeballs won’t stick?
No worries – just dab a tiny extra dot of melted chocolate where you want the eye to go. It acts like edible glue! (This is also how I fix any eyeballs that get “eaten” before decorating time.)
Share Your Ghost Pretzels
I’d love to see your spooky creations! Snap a pic of your ghost pretzels and tag me on social – or leave a comment below telling me how your little Halloween helpers liked them. Nothing makes me happier than seeing families making memories with these simple treats! You can also follow along for more fun recipes on Facebook.
