Halloween snacks should be as fun to make as they are to eat, and these pretzel and cheese “broomsticks” are my absolute favorite quick treat for spooky season. I first made them with my nephew last year—his little hands were perfect for inserting the pretzel sticks while I handled the knife work. Within minutes, we had a whole fleet of edible broomsticks ready for his class party. The best part? No baking required! Just cheese, pretzels, and a sprinkle of chives transform into the cutest, crunchiest snack. Trust me, even the most reluctant kitchen helpers will beg to assemble these.
Ingredients for Pretzel and Cheese Broomsticks
This recipe couldn’t be simpler – just three main ingredients and you’re ready to create a whole swarm of edible broomsticks! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, cut into small rectangles (about 1″ long and ½” wide)
- 20 pretzel sticks (the standard thin kind work best)
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped (the green tops only)
A quick tip – the cheese rectangles should be just big enough to hold the pretzel stick securely while still looking broom-like. If they’re too thick, they’ll overwhelm the pretzel “handle.” And don’t skip those chives! They add that perfect pop of color that makes these look like real little witch’s brooms.
How to Make Pretzel and Cheese Broomsticks
Trust me, these adorable broomsticks come together in minutes – but I’ve got a few tricks to make them look extra magical. The key is working with room-temperature cheese (cold cheese cracks when you try to cut it) and taking your time with those broom bristles. Let me walk you through each step:
Cutting and Assembling the Broomsticks
First, grab your cheddar block and slice it into rectangles about 1″ long and ½” wide – think the size of a domino tile. This gives the perfect broom head proportion to the pretzel handle. Now here’s the fun part: gently push a pretzel stick into the top center of each cheese rectangle, going about halfway through. If the cheese feels resistant, wiggle the pretzel slightly to widen the hole. Pro tip: Kids love helping with this step!
Creating the Broom Texture
This is where the magic happens! Lay your cheese-and-pretzel pieces on a cutting board. Using a small paring knife, make 4-5 vertical cuts about ⅓ of the way up from the bottom of the cheese rectangle. Don’t cut all the way through! Then gently fan out the “bristles” with your fingers. If they stick together, lightly dampen your fingertips to help separate them. The goal is a slightly messy, natural-looking broom end.
Adding the Final Touches
Now for the finishing flourish: grab those finely chopped chives and sprinkle them over the fanned-out cheese ends. The green flecks make them look authentically twiggy while adding a nice oniony kick. I like to gently press the chives into the cheese so they stick. And voilà – you’ve got a whole coven’s worth of edible broomsticks ready to sweep their way onto your Halloween snack table!
Why You’ll Love These Pretzel and Cheese Broomsticks
These adorable broomsticks aren’t just cute – they’re downright addictive! Here’s why they’ve become my go-to Halloween snack every year:
- They’re ridiculously quick – From fridge to table in 10 minutes flat when you’re scrambling before a party
- Perfect for little hands – Kids can help assemble (my nephew calls it “building magic brooms”) and they love the crunch
- Zero cooking required – No oven means more time for costume prep or pumpkin carving
- Endlessly customizable – Swap cheddar for pepper jack, add everything bagel seasoning, or use gluten-free pretzels
- Looks impressively festive – The chive “twigs” make people think you spent hours crafting when really… 10 minutes!
The best part? Even when the broomsticks get “broken” (read: devoured), the salty-sweet combo of pretzel and cheese always disappears faster than a ghost in the night. Trust me – double your batch if you want leftovers! For more fun snack ideas, check out our fruit salsa with cinnamon tortilla chips.
Tips for Perfect Pretzel and Cheese Broomsticks
After making these broomsticks more times than I can count (seriously, my friends request them year-round now), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks to make them absolutely broom-tastic every single time:
Room-temperature cheese is non-negotiable
I can’t stress this enough – cold cheese will crack and crumble when you try to insert those pretzel sticks or cut the broom bristles. Take your cheddar out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before assembling. If you’re in a hurry? No problem! Microwave the whole block for just 5-7 seconds to take the chill off – but don’t let it get warm or it’ll be too soft to hold its shape.
Storage smarts for broomsticks that stay fresh
These treats are best served the same day, but if you must prep ahead (hey, busy witches understand!), layer them between parchment paper in an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 2 days – any longer and the pretzels start to soften. Toss a silica packet or dry rice in the container to absorb moisture – it’s my secret weapon against soggy broom handles!
Spice it up with pepper jack
While classic cheddar is delicious, swapping in pepper jack cheese adds a fun kick that older kids and adults love. The jalapeño flecks even look like extra broom bristles! For a real showstopper, mix half cheddar and half pepper jack – the color contrast makes them look extra magical. Just be sure to warn any little ones who might not expect the heat!
One last pro tip: If your “bristles” keep sticking together when you fan them out, lightly mist them with cooking spray first. It helps the strands separate without making them greasy. Now go forth and create the most spellbinding snack table your coven has ever seen!
Serving Suggestions for Pretzel and Cheese Broomsticks
Now that you’ve crafted these adorable broomsticks, let’s talk about how to make them the star of your Halloween spread! I love arranging them standing up in a tall glass or mason jar – it looks like a whole bundle of enchanted brooms ready for takeoff. But the real magic happens when you pair them with dips that take the flavor to spellbinding new heights.
Here are my favorite ways to serve them:
- Mustard moat: Fill a tiny cauldron (or ramekin!) with spicy brown mustard – the tang cuts through the rich cheese perfectly
- Ranch potion: A classic pairing – I add extra dill to mine for that “witch’s herb garden” vibe
- Spiderweb platter: Arrange the broomsticks around a bowl of black bean dip with sour cream “webs” drizzled on top
- Witch’s brew board: Mix them with other spooky snacks like olive “eyeballs” and pepperoni “bats” for a full Halloween charcuterie
For kid parties, I’ll sometimes stick the broomsticks into a foam pumpkin or floral foam covered in moss to create an edible “broom patch.” Just watch those little goblins’ faces light up when they get to “pick” their snacks! Pro tip: If you’re transporting these, pack the dip separately and assemble on-site so the pretzels stay crisp. Now go cast a snacking spell on your guests!
Storing and Reheating Pretzel and Cheese Broomsticks
Let’s be real – these broomsticks rarely last long enough to need storing! But if you somehow find yourself with leftovers (or want to prep ahead for a party), here’s how to keep them fresh:
The secret is an airtight container with layers separated by parchment paper. Stack them gently so the pretzel handles don’t snap and the cheese bristles stay intact. They’ll keep in the fridge for about 2 days – any longer and the pretzels start losing their satisfying crunch.
Now, reheating? Honestly, you don’t need to! These taste best cold or at room temperature. If you try microwaving them, you’ll end up with limp pretzels and melty cheese that loses its broomstick shape. Instead, just pull them out of the fridge about 15 minutes before serving to take the chill off.
One warning: The chives might lose some vibrancy overnight. If that bothers you, just sprinkle on fresh ones right before serving. And if your broomsticks seem a little dry, a quick spritz of water can revive the cheese’s appearance – though they’ll still taste delicious even if they’re not picture-perfect!
Pretzel and Cheese Broomsticks Nutritional Information
Now, I’m no nutritionist – just a snack enthusiast who believes treats should be fun and satisfying! Here’s the scoop on what’s in these adorable broomsticks (based on standard ingredients, but remember – brands vary so your mileage may differ):
- Serving Size: 2 broomsticks (because let’s be honest, nobody stops at just one!)
- Calories: About 120 per serving – perfect for a little energy boost between trick-or-treating
- Fat: 8g (4g saturated) – that’s the cheese doing its delicious work
- Carbs: 10g (1g fiber) – thank those crunchy pretzel handles
- Protein: 5g – enough to keep little witches and wizards going strong
- Sodium: 180mg – hey, it’s a snack, not a salad!
Quick disclaimer: These numbers are estimates based on average ingredients. Your exact nutrition will depend on the cheese brand, pretzel thickness, and how generously you sprinkle those chives. For dietary needs, you can easily swap in low-sodium cheese or gluten-free pretzels – the magic still works! If you’re looking for more kid-friendly recipes, consider these toddler-friendly hidden veggie mac and cheese bites.
What I love is that unlike many Halloween treats, these give you actual sustenance along with the fun. The protein and fat from the cheese help balance the carbs, so they won’t give you that sugar crash after eating. My nephew’s teacher actually thanked me for bringing something that didn’t have the kids bouncing off the walls – now that’s what I call kitchen witchcraft!
FAQs About Pretzel and Cheese Broomsticks
Over the years, I’ve gotten tons of questions about these adorable broomsticks from fellow Halloween snack enthusiasts. Here are the most common ones – with my tried-and-true answers:
Can I use other cheeses besides cheddar?
Absolutely! Pepper jack adds a spicy kick, while gouda gives a smokier flavor. Just make sure whatever you choose is firm enough to hold its shape when cut. Super soft cheeses like brie won’t work for the broom texture.
How far in advance can I make these?
They’re best assembled the same day, but you can prep the cheese rectangles up to 24 hours ahead. Store them layered between parchment paper in the fridge, then add pretzels and chives right before serving to keep everything crisp.
Are these broomsticks gluten-free?
They can be! Just use gluten-free pretzel sticks (several brands make great ones) and you’re all set. Double-check your cheese too – some processed varieties contain gluten additives.
Why do my broom bristles keep breaking?
This usually means your cheese is too cold. Let it warm up a bit more before cutting – room-temp cheese cuts cleanly without crumbling. Also, use a sharp knife and make swift, confident cuts.
Can I make these dairy-free?
You sure can! Firm vegan cheeses that slice well (like Violife or Daiya blocks) work surprisingly well. Just know the texture might be slightly different when making the broom bristles.
Got more questions? Drop them in the comments – I’m always happy to help troubleshoot your broomstick adventures! After all, every witch needs a trusty snack-making spell… and this one’s my favorite to share. You can also find more fun recipes on our Pinterest page.
Did you and your little monsters have as much fun making these pretzel and cheese broomsticks as we did? I’d love to hear about your Halloween snacking adventures! Drop a comment below to tell me:
- Which cheese variation was your favorite
- Any creative twists you added (I once saw someone use carrot shreds for extra broom texture!)
- How the kids reacted when they saw their edible creations
Better yet – snap a photo of your spooky snack spread and tag me on social media! There’s nothing I love more than seeing your kitchen magic in action. And if this recipe swept you off your feet (see what I did there?), I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a star rating. It helps other snack-loving witches find this recipe too! For more festive treats, try our apple snickerdoodles.
Now go enjoy your magical munching – and may all your Halloween treats be this easy and delicious!
25 Magical Pretzel & Cheese Broomsticks Kids Crave!
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 20 broomsticks
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A fun and easy Halloween snack featuring pretzel sticks and cheese shaped like broomsticks. Perfect for parties or a quick treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, cut into small rectangles
- 20 pretzel sticks
- 1 tbsp chives, finely chopped
Instructions
- Cut cheddar cheese into small rectangles.
- Insert a pretzel stick into the top of each cheese rectangle to resemble a broomstick handle.
- Use a knife to make small cuts at the bottom of the cheese to create a broom-like texture.
- Sprinkle chopped chives over the cheese for extra flavor and color.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Use room-temperature cheese for easier cutting.
- For a spicier version, replace cheddar with pepper jack cheese.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
