These honey mustard pretzel pieces are a delightful blend of crunchiness, bold seasoning, and addictive flavor. If you enjoy the store-bought version, this homemade recipe enhances the experience with sweet honey, zesty mustard, and savory onion tones in each bite.
These scrumptious honey mustard pretzels are incredibly simple to whip up with everyday ingredients. The flavored pieces are baked slowly, allowing the coating to dry and adhere to every curve and crevice. The outcome? Crunchy, savory pretzel bites that’ll keep you coming back for more… and more… and more. (Trust us, we know from experience!)
Much like classic seasoned pretzels, they are ideal for game days, gatherings, road trips, festive snack boards, or just having a jar handy for spontaneous snacking.
Why You’ll Adore These Homemade Honey Mustard Pretzel Pieces
- Fresh and vibrant homemade taste—exceeding store-bought options!
- Makes a generous batch with minimal effort.
- Perfectly balanced sweet + savory flavors: honey, Dijon mustard, and onion harmonize beautifully.
- Use hot honey for an added spice kick!
- Make-ahead friendly; stays crisp for up to 1–2 weeks.
Ideal Pretzels for This Recipe
Almost any hard pretzel works well, but we prefer thicker varieties (for the ultimate crunch!), such as the sourdough hard pretzels shown here. Break them into bite-sized pieces prior to coating. Pretzel rods, “old-fashioned” types, or honey wheat braided twists also make excellent choices.
Flavoring Ingredients & Their Importance:
- Oil (Vegetable or Olive): The oil serves as the adhesive that helps the seasoning mixture cling to the pretzel pieces. It also ensures even baking, resulting in that irresistibly crisp coating once toasted. I typically use olive oil.
- Honey: Honey delivers sweetness and richness, but moderation is key. In testing, excessive honey made the pretzels overly sticky and dense, so we reduced it to just the right measure: enough for flavor without compromising texture. Hot honey is a fun twist for those who enjoy a little spice.
- Brown Sugar: As we adjusted the honey quantity, a touch of brown sugar stepped in to help maintain the sweetness balance.
- Dijon Mustard: Dijon introduces the classic tangy, slightly sharp mustard essence that forms the base of the seasoning.
- Ground Mustard: Both Dijon mustard and ground mustard are essential! Ground mustard provides a deeper, more intense mustard flavor that truly embodies honey mustard. (Not just “honey with a hint of mustard.”)
- Onion Powder: This is a key flavor in the store-bought option and in our recipe! It adds savory depth, making the entire seasoning feel complete. Don’t omit it; the flavor difference is significant.
- Salt: A pinch of salt seasons the coating and balances the sweetness. The pretzels themselves are salty, so this ties all the flavors together nicely.
Step-by-Step Photo Guide: How to Make Honey Mustard Pretzel Pieces
Combine all the ingredients for the honey mustard coating in a bowl until emulsified:
Pour this mixture over the pretzel pieces and stir or toss to coat thoroughly:
The secret is to bake at a low temperature, stirring every 15 minutes. This allows the pretzels time to dry and crisp evenly while the honey mustard coating sets perfectly.
Make sure to cool them completely. Skipping this step is a no-go because they become even crisper as they cool down. Given the honey, expect them to retain a little stickiness even after cooling completely. (Deliciously finger-licking good!)
These pretzel pieces are a fantastic homemade gift (if you’re willing to share!). After cooling completely, package them in jars or bags, tie them with decorative ribbon, and add a personalized label. They also vanish quickly on snack boards alongside cheese, nuts, and olives.
