This Easy Seasoned Italian Pretzel Recipe is the perfect party snack and is seriously delicious. It’s an easy winner to add to your holiday snack recipe list. This simple snack is full of zesty Italian flavors with extra spice from the red pepper flakes added to the pre-packaged Italian dressing mix.

Spicy, salty, and easy snacks are always a hit at our football parties and holiday parties. But don’t wait to have a party to make these seasoned pretzels, they’re terrific for an easy-bagged school lunch or much-appreciated office munchies.

Overhead seasoned Italian pretzel recipe in a silver serving bowl with feisty cheddar mini crackers.

This is one of those seasoned pretzel recipes that can be made a couple of weeks ahead of time. Serve this delicious snack, instead of offering the same old boring cheese crackers or a plain bag of pretzels, set these out during the holidays and watch them disappear.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE SPICY ITALIAN SEASONED PRETZELS

These pretzel snacks are made with just 6 simple budget-friendly ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Packaged dry Italian Dressing mix, a large bag of hard pretzels, red pepper flakes, a few more ingredients and that’s it.
They’re great for a big fall game day celebration or a large bowl full of finger snacks on your holiday party table.
The best thing about this pretzel recipe is that there’s almost no effort involved. It takes 5 minutes to mix everything together. Then two more quick steps and you’ve got seasoned pretzel snacks that are a lot better than store-bought ones.

ingredients for easy seasoned Italian pretzels with labels.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED FOR THESE SEASONED ITALIAN PRETZEL RECIPE

Pretzels: 12 oz unsalted pretzels mini twists or regular size twists or pretzel sticks. A mix of all different shapes and sizes would make this perfect snack a fun bowlful of zesty, spicy yummy crunch!
Packaged Dry Dressing Mix: Italian Dressing Mix, 2 packages. Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning can easily be interchanged with the Italian Dressing Mix. I’d definitely use one package of Ranch dressing mix instead of two. If they’re not seasoned enough, you can always add more seasoning later.
Seasonings: red chili pepper flakes, garlic powder, dried oregano
Oil: canola oil, vegetable oil, or olive oil

HOW TO MAKE EASY SEASONED ITALIAN PRETZELS

STEP ONE – Mix seasonings and oil together in a small bowl or the glass liquid measuring cup you measured the oil in. Make sure the seasonings and the oil are well mixed and not clumpy.
STEP TWO – Place pretzels in a large mixing bowl and pour the oil-seasoning mixture over the pretzels. Gently stir with a large spoon.

mixing instructions pictures for easy season pretzel recipe.

STEP THREE – Transfer well-coated pretzel mix to a gallon-sized plastic zip lock bag and gently turn/flip every hour. Let “marinate” overnight or at least 4 hours.

marinated mini pretzels in a zip lock bag.

STEP FOUR – Line a large baking sheet with a cut-up brown paper bag as a liner or use newspapers or parchment paper.
STEP FIVE – Gently pour marinated pretzels out of the plastic bag onto the lined large baking sheet. Let “airdry” for at least 2 hours.

Marinated Italian pretzels drying on a large cut brown paper bag on a large baking sheet.

STEP SIX – If marinated pretzels are still greasy then bake on the same baking tray for 30 minutes at 250°. Gently stir baking pretzels after 15 minutes and then again at 25 minutes. Let cool.
STEP SEVEN – Place in an air-tight container until ready to serve.

MINI PRETZEL VARIATIONS

There are so many delicious spice variations that would be fun to try. Below are a few on my list:

Brown sugar and cinnamon
Honey mustard
Garlic and Parmesan Cheese
Ranch Flavor
Spicy Mexican
Italian cheese
Curry
Everything But the Bagel Seasoning

FAQ

Can this easy seasoned Italian pretzel recipe be made in an Air Fryer?

Yes, definitely. All Air Fryers are different, but I found 250-275^o degrees for about 4 minutes was the perfect setting for an individual serving.

Can this recipe go straight to the large ziplock bag step and skip messing up a large mixing bowl?

Yes, easily. Pour the pretzels into the large Ziplock bag and pour the seasoned oil on top of the pretzels. Zip the bag up and gently toss and kneed the bag. Make sure the bag is sealed tight and the ingredients are well distributed throughout the bag.

Will gluten-free pretzels work in this Italian pretzel recipe?

Yes! They might actually work better because most gluten-free pretzels have a dull coating. This would absorb the oil and spices very well.

PRETZEL SNACK SERVING OPTIONS

Serve these zesty marinated Italian pretzels in place of croutons for soups and salads.

Use with your favorite dips. My favorite to serve these with are Spicy Cauliflower Queso or Jalapeno Ranch Dressing.

Try mixing with other easy, make-ahead snacks like these Simple Everything Snack Crackers or Spicy Feisty Cheddar Snacks.

HOW TO STORE

Store in a large air-tight container or a fresh and clean large Ziplock bag.

overhead zesty Italian seasoned mini pretzels in a white bowl on a blue towel.

HELPFUL GADGETS

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Homemade Tomato Bruschetta…easy, yummy, low carb, and healthy!

Mexirolls…Watcher-friendly and perfect for the Airfryer!