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These mini pretzel pumpkins are a quick and festive treat that anyone can make. With just pretzels, candy melts, and a few simple decorations, you can create pumpkins that look party ready in minutes. They are easy enough for kids to help with! No special tools are required, just use what you already have in your kitchen.

A plate filled with pumpkin-shaped treats made from orange icing on pretzels, decorated with chocolate stems and orange sugar sprinkles, arranged in a white bowl.
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If you are looking for a simple, creative treat, these mini pretzel pumpkins are it. With candy melts, pretzels, and a few easy decorations, you can whip up pumpkins that look party ready without a lot of effort.

The best part is that they are easy for kids to join in on. I’ve shared plenty of seasonal ideas over the years, and these little pumpkins fit right in because they are festive, fun, and stress free. Teachers and parents especially love how quick they are to set out for a group activity.

A clear plastic bag tied with an orange ribbon is filled with pretzel snacks topped with orange frosting. The bag sits on an orange-and-white checkered cloth, with a few snacks placed outside the bag.

There is no need for fancy tools here. Use a plastic bag instead of a piping bag, or grab a spoon or butter knife to spread the candy. This is meant to be easy, flexible, and doable with what you already have on hand.

A bag of Meijer Tiny Twists pretzels, a share-size bag of Tootsie Roll candies, a container of orange sanding sugar, and a bag of Wilton orange candy melts on a wooden surface.

Ingredients + Substitutions for Pretzel Pumpkins

These adorable Fall-themed pretzels only require 3 ingredients. You can jump to the recipe card for the full recipe with instructions. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Mini Pretzels: You could also use circle pretzels
  • Tootsie Rolls: You could substitute for brown M&Ms, green M&Ms or green sour straws.
  • Orange Candy Melts: You could also use white candy melts or almond bark tinted orange with food coloring.
Rows of pumpkin-shaped cookies decorated with orange icing and sprinkles, each with a small chocolate stem, arranged closely together on a baking sheet.

How to Make Pretzel Pumpkins

Here’s an overview of how to make these pumpkin pretzels. You can jump to the recipe for the full instructions.

  1. Melt candy. Melt the candy wafers according to the package directions, or place them in a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 50% power in 2-minute intervals, stirring after each, until smooth.
  1. Fill pretzels. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat and arrange the mini pretzels with space between each. Use a small spoon to fill the centers with the melted candy, creating pumpkin shapes framed by the pretzels. If the candy starts to firm up, simply reheat.
A white plate with unwrapped and wrapped Tootsie Rolls, some cut in pieces, and small pieces shaped like poop. A knife lies nearby on a checkered napkin. Everything is on a wooden table.
  1. Make stems. Once all the pretzels are filled, allow them to set while you prepare the stems. Cut a very small piece off a Tootsie Roll, then cut that in half. Shape and twist the pieces into little pumpkin stems and set aside.
  1. Finish details. Then melt another package of candy melts and transfer it to a squeeze bottle or piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Outline the pretzels, then pipe vertical lines to mimic pumpkin ridges. Add a dot of melted candy where the pretzel arches meet.
  1. Add extra details. For extra detail, sprinkle orange sanding sugar over the outline while it’s still wet. Press a Tootsie Roll stem on the dot. Use a toothpick to adjust the position if needed.
  2. Let candy set. Let the pumpkins sit until the candy sets, about 30 minutes. Peel off the parchment.
Pumpkin-shaped pretzel treats topped with orange icing and sprinkles are arranged on parchment paper. Some feature chocolate stems and decorative icing outlining pumpkin details.

More Pumpkin Recipes

Pumpkin-shaped cookies with orange icing and red sprinkles are arranged on a baking sheet. Each cookie has a small brown stem, and red sugar crystals are scattered around them.
Pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies decorated with orange icing and sprinkles, arranged in rows on parchment paper. Each cookie has a chocolate stem and piped lines imitating a pumpkin’s shape.
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Mini Pretzel Pumpkins

By: Beth
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Setting Time: 30 minutes
These mini pretzel pumpkins are a quick and festive treat that anyone can make. With just pretzels, candy melts, and a few simple decorations, you can create pumpkins that look party ready in minutes. They are easy enough for kids to help with! No special tools are required, just use what you already have in your kitchen.

Ingredients

  • Mini Pretzels
  • Tootsie Rolls, 5
  • Orange Candy Melts, I recommend at least 2 bags
  • Orange Sanding Sugar
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Instructions 

  • Melt the candy wafers according to the package directions, or place them in a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 50% power in 2-minute intervals, stirring after each, until smooth.
    Orange Candy Melts
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat and arrange the mini pretzels with space between each. Use a small spoon to fill the centers with the melted candy, creating pumpkin shapes framed by the pretzels. If the candy starts to firm up, simply reheat.
    Mini Pretzels
  • Once all the pretzels are filled, allow them to set while you prepare the stems. Cut a very small piece off a Tootsie Roll, then cut that in half. Shape and twist the pieces into little pumpkin stems and set aside.
    Tootsie Rolls
  • Then melt another package of candy melts and transfer it to a squeeze bottle or piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Outline the pretzels, then pipe vertical lines to mimic pumpkin ridges. Add a dot of melted candy where the pretzel arches meet. For extra detail, sprinkle orange sanding sugar over the outline while it’s still wet. Press a Tootsie Roll stem on the dot. Use a toothpick to adjust the position if needed.
    Orange Sanding Sugar
  • Let the pumpkins sit until the candy sets, about 30 minutes. Peel off the parchment.

Notes

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pretzels.
To Store: Store in a ziploc bag or airtight container.
To Make Ahead: Prepare through step 2, then resume with step 3 when ready.

Nutrition Disclosure

All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

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About Beth

I believe that everyone should have a go-to dessert to bring to parties! With hundreds of recipes, I'll help you find yours!

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