Red, White, and Blue Pretzel Bark: Easy No-Bake Patriotic Dessert for 4th of July
This Red White & Blue Pretzel Bark is an easy no-bake Fourth of July dessert made with crunchy pretzels, melted white chocolate, and festive red and blue candy toppings. A fun, sweet-and-salty snack perfect for patriotic parties, fireworks nights, or gifting.
Ingredients
Base:
- 3 cups mini pretzels
Chocolate Layer:
- 2 cups white chocolate chips or white candy melts
Toppings:
- ½ cup red and blue M&Ms
- ¼ cup patriotic sprinkles
- Optional: red and blue food coloring or candy melts for swirl effect
Instructions
- Line your trayCover a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out mini pretzels in a flat, even layer.
- Melt the chocolateIn a microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth. (Or use a double boiler.)
- Pour and spreadDrizzle the melted chocolate over the pretzels and spread it out evenly with a spatula to cover most of the pretzels.
- Add toppingsBefore the chocolate sets, quickly scatter the red and blue M&Ms and sprinkles over the top. Optional: drizzle colored candy melts or swirl in red and blue food coloring for extra flair.
- Chill and breakTransfer the tray to the refrigerator and chill for 20–30 minutes, or until completely set. Once firm, break into rustic pieces and serve!
Notes
Secret Tips for Red White & Blue Pretzel Bark
- Use Ghirardelli or baking bar white chocolate for a smoother melt: Skip the generic chips—high-quality white chocolate melts more evenly, tastes richer, and gives you a glossy finish that sets cleanly.
- Layer the pretzels with gaps for better chocolate spread: Instead of tightly lining up your mini pretzels, space them slightly apart. This lets the melted chocolate flow in between for even coverage and a better chocolate-to-crunch ratio.
- Melt chocolate slowly and stir often to prevent seizing: Microwave in 15- to 20-second bursts, stirring between each. Or use a double boiler for more control—this prevents clumps and keeps your chocolate creamy and pourable.
- Tint a small batch of white chocolate red and blue for swirling: For extra flair, reserve a few tablespoons of white chocolate and color them with gel food coloring. Drizzle and swirl them over the base layer for a tie-dye flag effect.
- Tap the tray before chilling: Gently tap your tray on the counter after adding toppings to help the candy and sprinkles stick better and eliminate any air pockets beneath the chocolate.
- Press toppings lightly into the chocolate before chilling: Use the back of a spoon or your fingertips to press the sprinkles and M&Ms into the soft chocolate. This keeps them from falling off when you break the bark later.
- Chill uncovered in the fridge for fast, even setting: Leaving it uncovered helps prevent condensation and keeps the toppings crisp—especially helpful for hot summer kitchens.
- Cut instead of breaking for cleaner presentation: Use a sharp chef’s knife to slice through the chilled bark into uniform pieces. It creates a more professional look, especially if you’re packaging them as edible party favors.