The Best Pickle Pretzels

Pickles and pretzels seem like a match made in heaven, especially if you like your snacks on the savory side. They’re both salty, they’re both relatively healthy when compared to finger foods on the sugary end of the spectrum, and they both have that signature crunch.

Combine them together, and these snacks are definitely greater than the sum of their parts. Those who really love dill pickles crave that signature tangy taste, which is the perfect pairing for the saltiness of the pretzel. And while sweet pickles impart a different taste, it can be just as complementary to the right palate.

If you’re concerned about your health, you could certainly do worse than pickle pretzels. Individually, pickles have some surprising health benefits, but only if they’re made with a saltwater brining process that encourages fermentation. That fermentation brings out benign bacteria that can guard against inflammation, and some cultures even tout pickles’ usefulness as a hangover cure. Even pickles made with vinegar can guard in a minor way against muscle cramps and diabetes symptoms.

Mind you, many of those benefits are lost when you’re just getting pickle flavoring through a pretzel, but it’s worth checking the ingredients to see how naturally those pretzels are flavored. Pretzels on their own are on the high side in carbohydrates, but they do contain some fiber and B vitamins. Also, they are generally made with wheat flour so there’s less processing involved.

All that aside, they’re snacks! Enjoy in moderation if you can — we know this double dose of flavor can get addictive pretty quick.

If you’re picky about your pickles, make sure your pretzels are flavored with the kind you like. Here’s a quick primer:

• Dill pickles, as you might expect, are generally made with a vinegar mixture that involves dill weed. The taste of the herb really comes through, and lightens the inherent sourness. Kosher dill pickles add saltwater into the brine, plus a bit of garlic.
• Sweet pickles are brined in a vinegar solution that includes sugar and spices, making them a big favorite among kids. Those “bread and butter” pickles you see pre-cut into slices for sandwich-making are probably a type of sweet pickle.
• Sour or half-sour pickles are made with a relatively pure saltwater brine. They tend to be healthier and definitely have that namesake sour kick.