Cinnamon sugar pretzels have that sweet-salty combo that everyone craves. They are easy to make, so you can bake up a batch for snacking any time.

Pretzels are one of those snacks I’ve yet to find someone dislike. Whether you go for the crunchy classic twists, dipped rods, or soft pretzels with cheese sauce, the salty, bready goodness is a perennial favorite snack.

I’m a huge fan of sweet and salty combos. Surely I’m not the only one who needs to have both sweet and salty snacks on hand for movie night?

These cinnamon sugar pretzels are a favorite in my house for multiple reasons. Not only are they really easy to make, but they also have that hit of salt, sweet, and spice that our tastebuds crave.

What kind of pretzels can I use?

Nearly any crunchy pretzel will work in this recipe. I prefer to use square pretzels or twists, because they catch the buttery cinnamon-sugar mixture in their holes.

Small sticks or larger twists will also work, but make sure to coat them as much as possible before baking, and let them cool completely in the pan before breaking apart.

I don’t recommend the extra-thick hard sourdough pretzels. Part of the enjoyment of this recipe is the crisp crunch!

ingredients for making cinnamon sugar pretzels

What ingredients are needed for cinnamon sugar pretzels?

You probably already have the ingredients on hand for this snack.

All you need is butter, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon, plus your pretzels. Easy peasy!

You can use other spices in addition to or instead of the cinnamon, if you like. A bit of ground cayenne with the cinnamon makes for some sweet heat, or you can dive right into fall flavors with pumpkin pie spice.

Warm, earthy spices are my favorite to combine with sugar, so try nutmeg, cardamom, or allspice.

cinnamon sugar pretzels in a silver bowl

Can I make cinnamon sugar pretzels in the microwave?

If you don’t want to turn on the oven, you can make this recipe using a microwave.

Mix everything together in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stirring every 60 seconds.

Pour out the heated mixture onto a lined baking sheet and let cool completely.

Depending on the size of your microwave, you might need to do this in smaller batches.

Be sure to stir every minute and make sure the pretzels aren’t burning. You might need less time in the microwave depending on how quickly the butter is absorbing into the pretzels.

How long do cinnamon sugar pretzels last?

These are so good they won’t last long, but if you have any left over, they keep in an airtight container for two weeks or more.

I store them in a screw-top plastic food container, and they stay nice and crisp!

Because they store so well, they make an excellent gift during the holidays or as a take-home item for parties.

Tips for making with kids

This is a great recipe to make with kids because it is so easy.

Small children can handle the stirring, while young elementary kids can practice their fractions while taking care of the measuring.

Let older kids or teens handle the hot oven pan (with oven mitts!) and melting the butter.

All the kids can help breaking up the pretzel pieces once cooled. This is the best part in my opinion, because you get to choose all the best bits for immediate snacking!

This sweet-salty snack is sure to be a hit at your house. Happy snacking!