Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grab a large baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Step 2: Melt the ½ cup of butter in a microwave-safe bowl on medium-low power until fully melted. Set aside to cool down a bit.
- Step 3: Whisk the egg white and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into your slightly cooled melted butter until everything is well combined.
- Step 4: In a separate, medium-sized bowl, mix together your granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Stir it really well so the cinnamon is evenly distributed.
- Step 5: Place all your thick pretzel sticks into a one-gallon zip-top bag.
- Step 6: Pour your butter-egg white-vanilla mixture over the pretzels in the bag. Seal the bag (with some air inside) and gently shake and mix until every pretzel stick is evenly coated.
- Step 7: Now, add your cinnamon sugar mixture to the bag with the coated pretzels. Seal it up again and gently shake and mix until all the pretzels are completely and evenly coated in the cinnamon sugar.
- Step 8: Spread your perfectly coated pretzels in a single, even layer on your prepared baking sheet, avoiding too much overlap. Bake for 15 minutes, giving them a gentle stir with a spatula halfway through (around 7-8 minutes) to ensure even baking.
- Step 9: Once they're out of the oven, immediately give them another stir on the hot baking sheet to prevent any sticking. Then, let them cool completely on the parchment paper. As they cool, the cinnamon sugar will crisp up beautifully. Serve once fully cooled.
Notes
Tips for Success: Always cool the melted butter slightly before adding the egg white to prevent it from scrambling. Take your time to ensure an even coating of both the butter mixture and cinnamon sugar on all pretzels. Avoid overbaking; 15 minutes is typically sufficient to prevent toughness or burnt sugar. Stir the pretzels immediately after removing them from the oven to prevent sticking, and allow them to cool completely for the best crispy texture. You can prep the cinnamon sugar mixture ahead of time and store it in an airtight container.
Storage: Once completely cooled, transfer your Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Sticks to an airtight container. They will stay fresh and crunchy at room temperature for up to one week.
Variations: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the cinnamon sugar. Drizzle with melted white or dark chocolate, or salted caramel sauce after cooling. You can try mini pretzel twists, but thick sticks hold up best. Mix in finely chopped pecans or walnuts for a nutty crunch. For a savory alternative, swap cinnamon sugar for a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, and Parmesan cheese.