Gluten and Dairy-Free Chocolate Covered Pretzels

These chocolate covered pretzels are a perfect gluten and dairy-free friendly dessert that are easy to make and delicious to eat! You definitely have to like dark chocolate to like this recipe, but its the perfect blend of sweet and salty without overloading on sugar. The higher the chocolate % (I usually go up to 95%), the less sugar the bar contains… and the less guilty you feel eating it!

Although an acquired taste, dark chocolate is one of my favorite treats. After I removed most sugars from my diet, that pretty much eliminated every dessert. If you are not used to dark chocolate, I recommend starting with 70-80% dark, because it can taste very bitter. If you are avoiding dairy, you usually have to be around 85-88% dark (but always check the ingredients list). Listed below are my three favorite dark chocolate bars. For this recipe I used the Lindt’s Excellence Bar, 90% Dark but any would do.

95% Wicked Dark Chocolate Bar

Endangered Species Chocolate, Panther 88% Cocoa Dark

Lindt’s Excellence Bar, 90% Dark

If you haven’t acquired a taste for dark chocolate yet, you could easily substitute with your favorite milk chocolate bar if you aren’t worried about dairy and the additional sugar.

Shopping List

• 1 dark chocolate bar
• 1 bag of Trader Joe’s gluten-free pretzels

Instructions

• Melt the chocolate bar on the stovetop using a double boiler. If you do not have a double boiler, you can also melt the chocolate in the microwave.
• Dip individually the gluten-free pretzels until completely covered then remove with a fork.
• Place on parchment paper to cool (you put them in the fridge to cool faster).

If you’ve never used a double boiler before, you are in for a treat! They are super easy to use and allow the chocolate to melt slowly so it stays smooth. Below are simple instructions on how to use a double boiler…

1. Add 1-2 inches of water to a medium pot and bring to a soft simmer.
2. Place the double boiler on top of the pot so that the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water. You want the steam from the water to gently warm the bowl.
3. Add the chocolate to the bowl and stir occasionally with a spatula until smooth and melted.

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