Easy Spicy Seasoned Pretzels Recipe (The BEST!)
These spicy seasoned pretzels are the perfect party snack! Mini twist pretzels soaked in oil and coated in a homemade seasoning blend that bursts with flavor in every bite! Perfect for game days and get-togethers of all sizes.
Table of Contents
What Makes This Recipe Great
I don’t know about you, but my family gathers for everything, and I’m always trying to figure out fun, simple snack options that everyone will love! Since it’s always the season of gathering and eating together, it’s a must to have a few easy recipes on hand to make for the masses! Enter Spicy Seasoned Pretzels! These are not your regular old pretzels, I promise!
Whether it’s a long car ride, a camping trip, a family vacation, or a game day– this is the perfect salty snack that is a great addition to any event. These “crack pretzels” are a family favorite! A great snack for a big group or even a cozy movie night. They taste similar to Chex Mix but even more addicting.
Coated in avocado oil or olive oil and seasoned with cayenne pepper, garlic salt, and lemon pepper, this spicy seasoned pretzel recipe is the perfect way to jazz up plain pretzels in no time.
Ingredient Notes
Such an easy recipe– These seasoned pretzels call for simple ingredients and a ziplock bag! That’s it! You can always adjust the seasonings to your liking– whether it’s a ranch packet or onion powder– you really can’t go wrong!
- Tiny Twist Pretzels: Pick whichever bag of pretzels is your favorite. To make these seasoned pretzels gluten-free, be sure to pick gluten-free pretzels. I prefer pretzel twists or pretzel sticks, but you can use any shape of pretzel you want.
- Garlic Salt: If you don’t have garlic salt, you can substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Cayenne Pepper: To control the spice level, increase or decrease the cayenne pepper. This recipe is for a milder pretzel.
- Lemon Pepper: Lemon pepper is pretty easy to find and such a staple to have on hand. It really jazzes up these spicy pretzels, not to mention chicken, mac & cheese (trust me!), and tons of other dishes.
- Avocado Oil: I prefer using avocado oil for my spicy pretzel recipe. I try and avoid melted butter, vegetable oil, and canola oil, but those would work as well—same quantity.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Pour the oil and spices into a Ziptop gallon size bag. Seal and shake to evenly combine the oil with spices.
- Add in the pretzels, seal up the Ziploc bag, and gently shake to coat the pretzels.
- Allow the pretzels to soak up the seasoned oil mixture for at least 6 hours, or ideally for 24 hours. Turn the bag to shake up pretzels every few hours. No need to bake them; the spicy pretzels will soak up all the oil.
- You can also spread the seasoned pretzels on a baking sheet and allow them to soak, but I prefer the Ziploc back so they’re already stored and make much less of a mess!
- Serve right out of the bag or in a large bowl, and enjoy this delicious treat!
The Ultimate Seasoning for Pretzels
I had never heard of making seasoning for pretzels before this recipe. Typically, I’ve just eaten hard pretzels on their own, and they’re good…but then all of a sudden, my mouth is dry, and I’m completely sick of them!
Lemon Pepper + Cayenne Pepper + Garlic Salt is truly the ultimate seasoning mixture for pretzels. Some people use dry Hidden Valley ranch dressing mix or dry ranch seasoning mix, but I like the hint of spice in this seasoned pretzel recipe.
It’s salty, tangy, and mildly spicy. A flavor-packed spicy pretzel with every single bite! The oil coating keeps them from feeling so dry, and I never get sick of them! Truly the perfect snack!
Expert Tips
- Spice Level: These spicy pretzels are mild. Feel free to use even less cayenne pepper if you don’t want them spicy at all. When making for my kids, I only use 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. You can also use more to taste if you want your spicy pretzel recipe spicier.
Storage Tips
- Store these seasoned pretzels in a Ziploc bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Recipe FAQs
Barely- honestly, no more than a bag of potato chips. One great thing about this spicy pretzel recipe is that the oil soaks into the pretzels, and they’re not greasy at all!
One serving of this recipe is about 17 pretzels and has 369 calories.
While this spicy pretzel recipe is great on its own, these actually are SO good dipped in plain cream cheese! When we go camping, we always have cream cheese on hand for bagels, and the creamy dip mixed with the spicy pretzel makes an amazing combination.
More Yummy Snack Recipes!
Did you love this recipe? Thank you! Please give this recipe a star rating and leave a review below. I respond to every one! Be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook. Tag me if you try a recipe!
Easy Spicy Seasoned Pretzels Recipe (The BEST!)
Ingredients
- 16 oz bag tiny twist pretzels
- 1 cup avocado oil
- 2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Pour oil and spices into a gallon ziploc bag. Seal and shake to evenly combine oil with spices
- Add in pretzels, seal up ziploc bag, and gently shake to combine.
- Allow pretzels to soak up the seasoned oil for at least 6 hours, or ideally for 24 hours. Turn bag to shake up pretzels every few hours. No need to bake them, the pretzels will soak up all the oil.
- Will keep in an airtight container for at least 1 week.
- See the Recipe Notes below for more tips, FAQ's and ingredient substitutions.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Spice Level: These spicy pretzels are mild. Feel free to use even less cayenne pepper if you don’t want them spicy at all. When making for my kids, I only use 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. You can also use more to taste if you want your spicy pretzel recipe spicier.
- Oil: I prefer using avocado oil. I try and avoid vegetable and canola oil, but those would work as well. Same quantity.
- Garlic Salt: If you don’t have garlic salt, you can substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon salt.
Storage Tips
- Store these seasoned pretzels in a Ziploc bag or airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
85 Comments on “Easy Spicy Seasoned Pretzels Recipe (The BEST!)”
Made these for years. I add a package of Hidden Valley Ranch and reduced the oil to 2/3 cups so that everything absorbs
I don’t see ingredient amounts- can you help?
Hi Pam. Thank you so much for letting me know! There was an issue with my recipe display function. All fixed now! You can click back over and it has all the ingredients and directions for you. Have a great rest of your day!
Made these the other day! They are great. I will say I am not a Lemon Pepper fan so I used Seasoning Salt as a replacement and use Garlic Powder to cut down on the salt. They turned out great and was surprised that they are not oily. Will be making these again.
That’s a great idea using seasoning salt instead of lemon pepper Deb! Bet that gives it great flavor. I’m so glad you liked them, and thanks for letting me know. You just made my morning! Have a great rest of your weekend!
The recipe I have also calls for a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Dip mix. These pretzels are addictive!
If by any chance there are some pretzels left, how do you usually store them?
I keep them in the same ziploc bag I made them in. They keep for about a week or two. That is, if my mister and I don’t scarf them down first. Haha! I hope you enjoy them Athina! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great rest of your night : )
can u use olive oil? or does it change the flavor too much
In a pinch I’ve used olive oil before, it gives it a little bit more of an “olivey” flavor but still works just fine. I usually prefer vegetable or canola oil since it’s flavorless, but if I’m out I’d rather use olive oil rather than going to the store! Haha! Hope you enjoy the recipe. It’s one of my favorites. So addicting!
do they have to be refrigerated overnight? is it okay to them out overnight?
No need to refrigerate them Gladys. Just leave them at room temperature, on the counter or in your pantry.
Seinfeld!
Ding ding ding! You got it Leah : )
I just got ready to make these and noticed your recipe calls for garlic powder, but your picture shows garlic salt. Is it garlic powder?? Can’t wait to make these! :)
You’re right Amy Jo, it is supposed to be garlic salt, not garlic powder! Thanks for the catch. If you only have garlic powder you can make your own garlic salt with equal parts garlic powder and salt. Hope that helps. Have a nice rest of your Sunday!
Love this tasty snack! And love Seinfeld too! One of my all time favorate shows!
Thanks Elena! You’re too sweet. And so glad you got the Seinfeld reference. Applause to you : )
I had something similar to this but with crackers… wonder if you could use saltines as well. These sound Yummo!
I’ve seen recipes for seasoned saltines, and always thought this would work for that too. I’ll have to try it and let you know! Have a good weekend!
Delicious! My favorite snack!
This looks like my kinda snack!
Thanks Taylor! Sometimes I make this an ultimate snack by dipping these seasoned pretzels in cream cheese. Sounds weird, but it is so good!
Maybe a little strange, but I think I could get into it!
What a great idea for creating flavored pretzels! I have to try this!
Thanks Rachel! I’m already thinking of different flavor combinations to try : )
Could crushed red peppers be used instead of Cheyenne pepper?
I would think so! Should work fine!
Love seasoned pretzels! I could munch on these all day!
Thanks Jessica! They’re pretty addicting, but aren’t all slightly spicy foods a little addicting? Great for a little snack…or…big snack : )
NO WAY could I be trusted anywhere near a bowl of these!
They are dangerous! I’ve been eating them camping, and 10 minutes later I’m still snacking on them. Whoops : ) But hopefully all the calories I’ve burned packing up camp cancels them out. Ha!
I bet my husband will love these. Thanks for sharing!
I’m sure he will! These are a great guy snack.
Wow…these were delicious! Yummy and so easy!
Thanks! I’ll have to make more so Ken can put them on his sandwiches : )
AHH! excited to see this recipe, I was addicted to these during camping xD Beautifully done Natalie, can’t wait to try it out!!
Yea, Thanks V! Now you can make them all the time. These remind me so much of camping now : )
Miss you!
ah man! i wish i liked pretzels! these look delish!
The next time you’re in town I’ll make these for you. They might change your mind : )