Spicy Buffalo Pretzels are an easy, crowd-pleasing snack—perfect for game day, a party, or an afternoon bite.
Spicy Buffalo Pretzels
These Buffalo Pretzels are simple to prepare and make a large batch that keeps well. The tangy buffalo sauce coats crunchy pretzels for a spicy, savory bite that pairs well with veggies, dips, or a charcuterie board.
Make them with blue cheese or ranch dressing on the side, add celery sticks, or serve alongside buffalo chicken dip for a full spread of buffalo-flavored snacks. They’re ideal for entertaining, and you can easily double the recipe when feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Below is a quick overview of the ingredients. Exact measurements and step-by-step directions are included in the recipe card at the end.
- Franks RedHot Buffalo Sauce (or your favorite buffalo sauce)
- Pretzels (hard pretzels such as pretzel nuggets, sticks, or chips)
- Butter (or plant-based butter for a vegan option)
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
Optional additions: a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of salt, or dry ranch seasoning for buffalo ranch pretzels.
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Large mixing bowl
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil
- Baking sheet(s) with sides
- Flat wooden spoon or tongs
How to Make Spicy Buffalo Pretzels
Here’s a concise version of the instructions; full details are in the recipe card below.
Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 300°F. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter into the buffalo sauce. Stir until combined, then add onion powder and garlic powder.
Step 2 – Place the pretzels in a large bowl. Pour the warm sauce mixture over the pretzels and stir until all pieces are evenly coated.
Step 3 – Spread the coated pretzels in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for a total of 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to ensure even baking. The pretzels may appear glossy while baking.
Step 4 – Remove from the oven and allow the pretzels to cool on the pan. They may still look slightly wet but will firm up as they cool. Avoid stirring while they cool to prevent breaking the pieces.
Preparation and Storage
Make Ahead: You can make these a day in advance and store them in an airtight container.
Storage: Keep at room temperature in an airtight container for best texture.
Freezing: These pretzels can be frozen in a freezer-safe container, though the author notes they tend to disappear quickly and freezing wasn’t tested extensively.
Recipe Variations
- Substitutions: Use pretzel rods, pretzel sticks, chips, or full-size pretzels if nuggets are not available.
- Buffalo Ranch: Add dry ranch seasoning to the sauce for buffalo ranch pretzels.
- Vegan: Use plant-based butter and check labels on pretzels and sauce to confirm they’re vegan.
- Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free pretzels and verify the buffalo sauce contains no gluten ingredients.
- Spicier: Use a hotter hot sauce or increase the sauce-to-butter ratio for more heat.
- Scale: The recipe can be doubled; spread pretzels across multiple baking sheets for even baking.
Recipe Tips
If serving a large group, double the recipe and bake on separate sheets. The pretzels will crisp as they cool, so resist the urge to handle them immediately after baking. Nutrition details will vary based on the brands and quantities used.
What to Serve With
Dips/Sides: Blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, celery sticks, or any favorite dip.
Drinks: Soda, sweet tea, beer, or other refreshing beverages.
When to Serve
- Game day snacks
- Party finger food
- Office gatherings
- Movie nights
- Everyday snacking
Spicy Buffalo Pretzels Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound pretzels
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup Franks Red Hot Buffalo Sauce (or preferred buffalo sauce)
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Melt butter into the buffalo sauce in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir to combine, then add onion powder and garlic powder.
- Pour pretzels into a large bowl and pour the sauce over them, stirring to coat evenly.
- Spread the coated pretzels on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool on the pan until the coating firms up.
Kitchen Tools
- Cookie sheets
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl