It’s cold outside, so staying inside and having some cozy snacks is right up our alley. Here are 22 ideas to get you in the new year spirit. Plus, you can make these pretzel snacks while you watch the 2022 Winter Olympics that start in just a couple of days! Those skiers and skaters may look chilly, but you’ll be warm and cozy with a full belly while you watch curling on the couch. Go Team USA!
- What says comfort more than tomato soup! For snack-time, we like to serve it up in mugs with crushed Lemon Pepper Pretzels on top for a little crunch and added brightness. This pretzel snack idea is sure to warm you up on even the coldest day.ย
- For a healthy twist on the classic potato chip, make a batch of kale chips. This winter veggie is in season and crisps up for a fun, crunchy snack. We like to add a little parmesan cheese and pepper to ours for some saltiness and flavor.ย
- Set up a hot cocoa bar for the whole family to enjoy. It’s simple to do and so much fun! Make a big batch of your favorite hot chocolate and set out a bunch of mugs. To complete this pretzel snack idea, add small bowls full of yummy toppings. We like mini marshmallows, pieces of peppermint, white chocolate chips, cookies and, of course, crushed Sweet & Spicy OMG! Pretzels.ย
- Crostini are a great cozy snack because you can eat them while you’re wrapped in a blanket and add savory toppings to fill you up. A simple, yet satisfying combination is a thin layer of ricotta cheese, a dollop of pesto and a spoonful of sautรฉed mushrooms.ย
- We realize chai tea is a drink, but with the amazing spices and richness, we think it qualifies as a snack. And, if you want a crunchy accompaniment, try some Sweet Chili Pretzels to round out this uber flavorful pretzel snack experience.ย
- Zucchini muffins are a yummy way to add some veggies into snack time. Plus, their dense texture is perfect for a cold day. There are lots of easy recipes out there to make. If you want to jazz yours up, pull them out of the oven 5 minutes early, add some crushed Sweet & Salty Pretzels to the top and then put them back in the oven. The crunchy topping takes this pretzel snack idea to the next level.ย
- Popcorn may sound boring, but you can really make it flavorful with fun seasoning blends. Try olive oil and Herbs de Provence for a floral note or spice it up with some chili powder and paprika.ย
- Spiced nuts are a winter classic. Take some help from the store with your favorite mix or make your own with a simple blend of melted butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of brown sugar. This goes well on pecans, walnuts, or almonds. Then, bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or until the nuts are crisp.ย
- To calm that sweet tooth on a cold day, chocolate-covered pretzels are a delicious snack. It can also be a kid-friendly activity if you need to keep everyone busy for a while! This pretzel snack can be made with any of our sweet flavored pretzels, but two of our favorite combinations are dark chocolate on Sweet & Spicy Pretzels and white chocolate on Salty Butterscotch Pretzels.ย
- Packed with protein and fully-customizable, mini frittatas are a great snack any time of day. Make them in muffin tins and heat them up in the microwave whenever you need a pick-me-up. You can fill these eggy bites with whatever veggies, cheese or meat you like!ย
- When you just want a handful of something filling, try roasted chickpeas. There are so many flavorful varieties available if you don’t want to make your own. If you feel like taking the time to roast your own, we love giving these a Middle Eastern flair with zaatar.ย
- Honey mustard chicken bites are easy to make and a scrumptious pretzel snack idea that the whole family will love. Cut chicken breast into bite-size pieces and toss in a store-bought honey mustard to coat. Then, toss the chicken pieces in crushed pretzels โ we like Chesapeake Spice for this! Once the chicken is crusted, place the pieces on a sheet pan and bake them in the oven on 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.ย
- When you are chilled to the bone this winter, bone broth is the perfect cozy snack. It’s also full of protein to fill you up while being light. Need a little crunch with it? We get that! Grab a handful of your favorite OMG! Pretzels for the side and you’ll be in pretzel snack heaven.
- Pretzel nachos are a fun pretzel snack idea when you need to feed a crowd. Use Cheddar Jalapeno Pretzels as your base and then add your favorite nacho toppings and enjoy!ย
- A small, sweet treat is sometimes the best snack idea. Cheesecake bites can take care of that craving in a pinch. For this cozy snack, make a batch of cheesecake with a Sweet & Salty Pretzel crust. Instead of a round pie plate, build it in a square cake pan. Once the cheesecake has cooked and cooled, cut it into bite-sized pieces and store in the fridge for up to a week. For extra decadence, cover the bites in chocolate and crushed pretzel pieces.ย
- Puff pastry pinwheels are easy to make but look very impressive. Take some help from the store with ready-to-use dough. Once the dough is thawed, roll it out on a baking sheet. Add the cheese or spread of your liking – we like using store-bought pesto or shredded Swiss cheese. Roll the dough up, cut ยฝ inch pieces and bake them โ swirl side up โ for 25 minutes at 400 degrees.ย
- Embrace the kid in you with mini grilled cheese sandwiches. Keep them simple with the classic flavors or make them fancy with tomato and bacon or apple and arugula. Make them mini by cutting the sandwiches into four triangles or using a cookie cutter.ย
- Mozzarella sticks are warm and gooey, the perfect pretzel snack for a cold day. Use sticks of mozzarella coated in egg wash and then crusted in Garlic Pretzels. Place them on a sheet pan and bake them at 375 for about 15 minutes until the pretzels are golden and the cheese is warm. Serve with a side of your favorite marinara or ranch for dipping!ย
- Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are a winter favorite because the oats lend a heartiness to the cookies that sticks to your bones in the chilly weather. Here’s a recipe we love from the NY Times.ย
- Nut butter and fruit roll-ups are a great way to get the kids involved with pretzel snack time. All you need are some tortillas, nut butter, fruit slices and some crushed Sweet & Salty Pretzels. Spread the nut butter, layer on the toppings, roll up the tortillas, and then cut them in thirds to make them easier to eat. It’s a healthy and delicious cozy pretzel snack.ย
- There is something very cozy about fried ravioli. Maybe it’s the warm filling or maybe it’s the crunchy outside. Either way, we love this winter snack idea. Grab your favorite refrigerated ravioli for the store and shallow fry it in a pan. Be sure to drain the grease before serving with marinara or Alfredo sauce on the side.ย ย
- Sweet potato bites are a healthy and fun pretzel snack idea. It also takes minimal work on your part. Here’s how to make them.ย
What can we say? We love pretzel snacks! We hope these 22 cozy snack ideas keep you warm this winter.