There’s nothing like a snack attack to make you realize that you need a little more variety in your life. And that’s where these pretzels come in.
I don’t know about you, but when 2:30 p.m. hits, my tummy always gives a little grumble. I try to keep healthier things in the house to snack on, like popcorn, fruits, and vegetables, but sometimes you just need something crunchy, salty, and spicy to get snack time fix.
If you love to snack, you are going to lose it over these spicy buffalo pretzels.
I literally can’t stop eating the dang things. Even as I sit here typing this out, I am taking frequent breaks to shovel them into my mouth by the handful.
The funny thing is, I am not the biggest fan of pretzels as a snack. Generally, I turn to chips and guacamole, cheddar cheese puffs, or candied nuts at snack time.
The only type that you would typically find me munching on would be one of those big soft ones, with cheese dip and ample amounts of salt sprinkled on top.
Well, after trying these, all that has changed. And I have to say, my husband couldn’t be happier.
Now I actually want to stock the house, and my to-go snack packs, with pretzels on a regular basis, so I can make these bad boys to much on!
My husband is in heaven now, since our house is pretzel-less most of the time. He’s been singing my praises ever since I made this recipe.
My new love of pre-made hard pretzels as a snack is due to the spicy coating that is baked into the store-bought bag of salty goodness.
The best part is, these still keep their crunch, even after being coated with a smooth sauce and baked. Initially, I thought this might soften them. But were nice and crisp once they cooled down, and were ready to be packed up and enjoyed.
The flavor of the hot sauce really comes through in every single bite. The flavoring that coats these is made with hot sauce, butter, worcestershire sauce, and spices, giving it a lot of depth that you simply wouldn’t find in a store-bought buffalo-flavored product.
Plus, they are oh-so-simple to make. All you have to do is prep the simple sauce, toss to coat, and bake.
It’s a great recipe to whip up on a lazy Saturday afternoon, so you will have something to devour on game day when Sunday rolls around.
These can be stored for a few days, so you can eat the leftovers throughout Monday and Tuesday as well. If you have any leftovers, that is.
I recommend halving the recipe if you are making it for just a few people, because it does make a really big batch that’s perfect for parties.
It’s great to make for the kids to take to school, for parties and big gatherings, and even as a fun surprise for your coworkers on a grumpy Monday morning.
Nobody can stay in a bad mood if these spicy buffalo pretzels are within reach. Trust me.
Print
Spicy Buffalo Pretzels
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
Description
When your next snack attack strikes, load up on a couple of handfuls of spicy buffalo pretzels. They’re perfect for game day!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (I use Frank’s Red Hot)
- 1/2 cup butter (or dairy-free substitute such as Earth Balance)
- 1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce (I use Annie’s Homegrown vegan worcestershire)
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 pound bag of pretzels, regular salted or gluten free
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300˚F. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place hot sauce and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, and stir until butter is melted. Add the worcestershire and seasonings. Remove from heat.
- Place pretzels in a large bowl. Pour hot sauce mixture over the pretzels. Use tongs to toss to coat evenly.
- Spread pretzels out on the baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring well every 10 minutes to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on pan. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Game Day
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Snacks
Keywords: game day, spicy buffalo, pretzel, snack
Cooking By the Numbers…
Step 1 – Measure All Ingredients
Measure out all ingredients as listed on the ingredients list.
Preheat oven to 300˚F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2 – Make Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine the hot sauce and butter.
Stir over medium heat until the butter is melted.
Stir in the worcestershire and spices. Remove from heat.
Step 3 – Coat with Sauce
Add the pretzels to a large bowl.
Pour the hot sauce mixture over the pretzels.
Use tongs to toss, and make sure the pretzels are coated evenly.
Step 4 – Bake
Spread the pretzels out on the lined baking sheet in an even layer. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and cool on the pan. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container. These can be stored for up to 3 days.
Never Deny Your Snack Attack
I am a firm believer in always giving into your snack attack. Honestly, if you don’t, I feel like you will end up eating much more than you might have anticipated at your next meal.
This is why you need to give into your craving, with something flavorful and fun.
Do you need more snack recipe variety in your life? With these options, you’ll never be in snack limbo again:
When it comes to pretzels, do you prefer the rods or the traditional twisted shape? Tell us in the comments below. And come back to rate the recipe as soon as you try it for yourself!
Photos by Meghan Yager, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Originally published on January 28. 2015. Last updated: December 13, 2022 at 13:01 pm.
Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.
About Meghan Yager
Meghan Yager is a food addict turned food and travel writer with a love for creating uncomplicated, gourmet recipes and devouring anything the world serves up. As the author of the food and travel blog Cake 'n Knife, Meghan focuses on unique foodie experiences from around the world to right at home in your own kitchen.
