Name: Pretzel M&M Hugs Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 70 square pretzels (do NOT use butter snaps); 70 Hershey's Hugs chocolates (from nearly 1 full 12 oz package), unwrapped; 70 Milk Chocolate M&M's (red and green Christmas package)

Crunchy pretzels meet creamy chocolate and colorful M&M's in this incredibly fun and festive treat. The combination of salty, sweet, and melty textures makes the Pretzel M&M Hugs Recipe an absolute crowd-pleaser that's quick to whip up and perfect for any occasion.

A neat grid of square pretzels forms the base layer, each light brown and slightly crunchy in texture. On top of each pretzel is a round white chocolate disk with smooth surface, slightly melting into the pretzel edges. Thin, wavy lines of milk chocolate are drizzled over the white chocolate disks, adding a light brown striped texture. Each white chocolate disk is topped with a single, glossy candy coated chocolate piece, alternating between bright red and vivid green, each candy centered on the disk. The whole arrangement is shown on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pretzel M&M Hugs Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Pretzel M&M Hugs Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Pretzel M&M Hugs Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Pretzel M&M Hugs Recipe is one of those simple snacks that feels festive and special but comes together faster than most desserts. I have made these for holiday parties, and they never last long because everyone loves the perfect balance of salty pretzel, creamy chocolate, and the fun pop of an M&M on top.

Sweet and Salty Magic: The salty crunch of pretzels combined with smooth, melty Hershey's Hugs chocolate and colorful M&M's is a winning flavor combo every time.
Super Easy Assembly: You only need three ingredients and a quick few minutes in the oven—no fancy baking skills required.
Fun for All Ages: Kids love helping to press the M&M’s into the softened chocolate, making it a perfect family-friendly activity.
Great for Parties and Gifts: These are just as cute on a holiday cookie tray as they are packed into treat bags for friends and coworkers.

A tray filled with many small snacks arranged in rows, each snack having three layers: the bottom is a shiny golden square pretzel, the middle is a smooth, white circular candy with brown swirls, and the top is a single round candy piece in red or green placed right in the center. The pretzels have tiny salt bits on the edges, the white candies look glossy with evenly spaced brown stripes, and the red and green candies are bright and shiny. The tray is lined with white parchment paper, sitting on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this recipe is definitely in its simplicity. Each ingredient complements the others perfectly, and you won’t have to hunt high and low to find them—most are easy to spot in any supermarket around the holidays.

Flat lay of a neat stack of square pretzels with a golden-brown finish, a small white ceramic bowl filled with red and green milk chocolate M&M's, a small white ceramic bowl holding unwrapped Hershey's Hugs chocolates—each with a glossy silver and milk chocolate swirl—placed beside them, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Square Pretzels: I recommend using square pretzels because their flat shape holds the chocolate perfectly without sliding off; avoid butter snaps since they melt differently.
Hershey's Hugs Chocolates: These white and milk chocolate swirled kisses melt beautifully and have a mild sweetness that pairs well with the pretzels.
Milk Chocolate M&M's: The colorful candy shell adds a festive pop and lasting crunch that contrasts nicely with the soft, melty Hug chocolate.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Pretzel M&M Hugs Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. I love mixing up the M&M colors depending on the season or event. You can also switch Hershey's Hugs with plain Kisses or even peanut butter ones for a twist.

Variation: For a holiday twist, try using red and green M&M’s like I do for Christmas. It instantly makes these feel festive and bright on your dessert table.
Dietary Tweaks: Look for allergen-friendly or gluten-free pretzels if you need a safe option, and swap regular M&M’s with peanut butter or other flavored varieties.
Difficulty Levels: This is truly a beginner-friendly recipe—perfect for involving kids—and you can't easily go wrong, making it a great quick project even if you’re short on time.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Pretzel M&M Hugs Recipe

Step 1: Preheat, Prepare, and Line Up

I always start by preheating my oven to 200°F (warm but not hot). While it’s warming up, I line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat—it makes cleanup so much easier and ensures nothing sticks. Then, I carefully arrange each square pretzel in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch so they bake evenly.

Step 2: Top With Hershey's Hugs and Bake

Next, I place one unwrapped Hershey’s Hug chocolate right in the center of each pretzel. This pan goes into the preheated oven for about 4 to 5 minutes. Keep a close eye here—you're aiming for the chocolates to soften and become shiny, but they shouldn’t melt completely. You want them just soft enough to press the M&M’s into them, so time can vary slightly depending on your oven.

Step 3: Press M&M's and Chill

Once out of the oven, I immediately place one milk chocolate M&M on top of each melted Hug and gently press down. You’ll see the Hug chocolate spread slightly and lock the M&M in place. Then, pop the whole tray in the refrigerator or freezer for 5 to 15 minutes to let them firm up and set nicely.

Step 4: Store and Enjoy

After the chocolate has hardened, you can store these delicious Pretzel M&M Hugs in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge, depending on your climate. They stay fresh and crunchy for days—though honestly, mine rarely last that long!

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few handy tips that turn this simple recipe into a guaranteed success every time I make it. Let me share what worked best for me—these little secrets make a big difference.

Watch the Oven Closely: Because ovens vary, it’s key to check the pretzels at 4 minutes to avoid melting the Hugs too much; they should be soft and glossy, not liquid.
Use a Silpat or Parchment: Prevents the chocolates from sticking and makes cleanup quick—plus you don't risk ruining your favorite baking sheet.
Press Gently but Firmly: When adding the M&M’s on top, a gentle press ensures the Hug chocolate spreads evenly without cracking.
Chill Time Matters: Giving the pretzels enough time to chill ensures the chocolate won't be gooey when you serve; rushing this step can make the treats messy.

How to Serve Pretzel M&M Hugs Recipe

Garnishes

Honestly, these are so colorful and charming on their own that I usually skip extra garnishes. But if I want to dress them up a bit, I sprinkle a tiny pinch of sea salt over the top right after baking to boost the salty-sweet contrast even more.

Side Dishes

I like pairing Pretzel M&M Hugs with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa for a cozy snack. They also make great accompaniments to cheese boards or fruit platters at parties because the sweet and salty notes complement a variety of flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays, I arrange them in festive shapes like Christmas trees or wreaths on a platter. Wrapping small bunches in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon turns these into instant party favors or homemade gifts that everyone will rave about.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (and that’s rare!), I recommend storing them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. I’ve kept them fresh for up to a week this way without the pretzels losing their crunch.

Freezing

Freezing these isn’t my usual go-to, but I have frozen small batches wrapped tightly in freezer-safe bags. When thawed, they hold their crunch well, though the chocolate can sometimes slightly bloom—still tasty but not quite as glossy.

Reheating

Since these treats are best served cool and firm, I don’t reheat leftovers. If the chocolate softens too much at room temperature, just pop them back in the fridge for 10-15 minutes—they firm right back up.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular Hershey's Kisses instead of Hershey's Hugs?

Yes! Regular Hershey's Kisses work great if you don't have Hugs on hand. They melt similarly and still create that tasty chocolate base to hold the M&M.

Why do you recommend square pretzels instead of butter snaps?

Square pretzels have a flat surface that holds the chocolate well and prevents it from sliding off. Butter snaps tend to be thinner or irregular in shape, which can make the chocolate pools less stable.

How long do Pretzel M&M Hugs last once made?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge, these treats usually stay fresh for up to a week. After that, you might notice the pretzels losing crunch or the chocolate discoloring.

Can I make Pretzel M&M Hugs gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just be sure to use gluten-free pretzels and check that your M&M's and chocolates don’t contain gluten. This way, you can enjoy the same delicious snack safely.

Final Thoughts

I’ve made countless batches of this Pretzel M&M Hugs Recipe over the years, and every time it brings a smile—whether I’m sharing with family, friends, or at a holiday gathering. This sweet-and-salty treat is so easy, festive, and downright addictive that I can't help but recommend you give it a try. It’s one of those recipes you’ll want to keep in your back pocket for whenever you want a quick, crowd-pleasing snack with a little extra joy.