Pretzel crunch is one of my favorite make-at-home snacks. It’s sweet and salty, mostly crunchy but a little bit chewy. Adding dried orange amps it up, making it more of a crunchy/chewy toss-up, balancing the pretzel-malt, sweet/savory flavor with pops of bright, bittersweet, citrus. It’s so totally different – which is always a plus to my way of thinking – and hard to put down.
What you need to make 3 cups:
4.75 oz. (2 generous cups) mini pretzels
2 oz. (¼ cup tightly packed) light brown sugar
0.5 oz. (3 slightly generous Tbs) powdered milk
1.25 oz. (¼ cup) Nestle Carnation Malted Milk powder
3.5 oz. (7 Tbs) butter, melted
4 dried orange slices
How to do it:
- Preheat the oven to 275°F. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat.
- Use your hands in a mixing bowl to break the pretzels down into one-quarter of their size. Add brown sugar, powdered milk, malted milk powder, and butter and toss thoroughly. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
- Cut the orange slices into 8 wedges each. Toss with the pretzel mix.
Notes:
Pretzel crunch, minus the orange, makes a fantastic dessert crust. Although, depending on the context, you could finely dice or mince the orange and include in the crust.
I get dried orange slices at Trader Joe’s. I’m not in cahoots with TJ’s. I just want to help you out in case you want to make this, because dried oranges can be hard to find. They’re so good; I regularly eat them as-is, or use them in the same way that you’d any dried fruit … I toss them into my oatmeal, for instance.
Pretzel Orange Crunch
Credit for images on this page: Make It Like a Man! Thank you, Kesor. This content was not solicited by anyone, nor was it written in exchange for anything. Once again let me insist that Make It Like a Man! has no relationship with the incredible men and women at Trader Joes. Trader Joe’s is a very classy store; they’re doing a fantastic job. But there was no quid pro quo, let me repeat: no quid pro quo, folks.
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Wow. Well this sounds horribly addicting! I’d have to make it and have my husband hide it! A really nice mixture. Brilliant.
Mimi recently posted…Stracciatella
I like that strategy!
They look super duper delicious and addictive as well. I wouldprobably snack on them until they were all gone!
angiesrecipes recently posted…Pumpkin Chilli Mini Cakes with Nutritional Yeast and Herbs
That’s exactly what I did!
What a great snack and perfect timing for the holidays. Love Trader Joes, sadly we don’t have them in Canada yet. Looking forward to shopping there in November.
Eva Taylor recently posted…Chocolate and Almond Biscotti
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This sounds like a tasty crunchy treat jeff. Good work:-). Cheers sherry
Sherry recently posted…Chicken, Mushroom And Pearl Barley Soup
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The dried oranges in this are a unique addition. I love it! Also, the malted milk powder. I’m totally intrigued with this snack idea, Jeff. Also, do you think candied bacon would go well in this?
David @ Spiced recently posted…Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta
OF COURSE!!!
What a terrific idea! Fun ingredients, too — I haven’t had malted milk powder in ages, and never with pretzels. Brilliant flavor combo!
John / Kitchen Riffs recently posted…The Satan’s Whiskers Cocktail
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I buy those dried oranges at TJ (a lot!). In fact, it’s about the only reason I even go there. The slices are easy to eat and it’s hard to stop. Added to the rest of this snackable mix and you’ve got a bowlful of trouble. GREG
sippitysup recently posted…Simply Italian Great Wines: Pinot Grigio
Cool! You would love this, then.
What an unusual snack! I really mean it! even the name “pretzel crunch” sound exotic to me, not to mention the “orange” addition! It also looks and sounds delicious, so I must try it.
it reminds me of the fact that some foreign visitors who come and see our pretzel shops (in many train stations) assume their are crunchy snacks and not soft freshly baked breads (I love soft pretzels, especially with pumpkin seeds).
Sissi recently posted…Simmered Tofu, Korean Style (Dubu Jorim), with Onions and Sweet Peas
I’m with Greg, it’s a bowl full of trouble. In the most delicious possible way! Love the idea of this in a bowl for my next get together. Lovely with cocktails. 🙂 ~Valentina
What an unconventional yet compelling combination! I have to try this!
Hannah recently posted…Wordless Wednesday: All Shuk Up
love this recipe Jeff!
Gloria Roa Baker recently posted…Asparagus and brie quiche (Quiche de esparragos y queso Brie)
Ok, I am DYING!!!! This looks amazing, what a fantastic idea! I love dried orange slices. And I can totally see how without the orange this would be an addicting dessert crust. Sooo yummy, definitely making this!
I hope you do! It’s addictive!
This looks delicious, I’m definitely making this soon!
Not parisienne recently posted…Feuilletés individuels aux champignons et magret fumé
This looks so good – and dangerous! Not sure I would be able to stop after just a few.
The addition of dried orange is brilliant. 🙂
Ronit recently posted…Orange Marmalade Chicken Thighs
Thanks!