Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Pretzel Tart (High Protein, Low Sugar)
If you love a sweet and salty combo, this recipe is for you. This Caramel Pretzel Tart has a protein shortbread cookie base, a rich 4 ingredient salted caramel topping, and crunchy chocolate pretzels on top. It’s definitely a dessert to get excited about, especially if you love salted caramel (even better if you love salted caramel AND chocolate). It’s made with just a few simple ingredients, comes together in no time, and is perfect when you want to impress last minute guests. It’s secretly high in protein, lower in sugar, completely gluten-free and dairy-free (but no one will ever guess.)
I’m not exaggerating when I say this might be in my top 10 desserts of all time—and that’s saying a lot, because I’ve made a lot of desserts. The base has the perfect texture, crisp around the edges with a soft center that practically melts in your mouth. The caramel? It’s made with just three main ingredients and turns out silky, rich, and is guaranteed to become your new addiction. Top it off with crunchy chocolate-covered pretzels and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, and you’ve got pure dessert nirvana. This high-protein salted caramel pretzel tart is also gluten-free, lower in carbs and sugar, and made with simple ingredients that I know you already have in your kitchen.
Watch Me Make The Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Pretzel Tart
I always love creating sweet treats that use minimal ingredients but taste ultra-decadent and look like they took way more effort than they did. These are the kinds of desserts I come back to again and again, but honestly, this salted caramel peanut butter pretzel tart has become my current obsession. It’s like if a Twix bar and a Snickers had a baby… and then tossed in some chocolate-covered pretzels for good measure. Okay, maybe not the most eloquent description, but I promise you—it blew my mind the first time I tried it. Make this the next time you’re craving a high-protein, lower-sugar dessert that still feels totally indulgent—or when you want to impress your friends and family with minimal effort on your part (don’t worry, I won’t tell).
You can absolutely enjoy this tart as-is, or have fun with toppings to switch up the flavors and textures. I think it would be so good with chopped nuts, crunchy granola, fresh strawberries, or even a hard chocolate shell topped with chopped peanuts—for more of a snickers vibe.
Why You’ll Love This
Sweet, Salty, and Satisfying – A crispy-on-the-outside, chewy-on-the-inside high-protein shortbread base, layered with sweet and salty peanut butter caramel, crunchy chocolate-covered pretzels, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt… do I really need to say more?
High In Protein –Each serving has over 10 grams of protein, not bad for a sweet treat if you ask me!
Dietary Friendly – Gluten free, dairy free, high in protein, lower in sugar and carbs.
Easy To Make - You only need a few simple ingredients, two bowls, and a springform pan to make this tart and there’s minimal clean up involved.
Twix-Inspired, Peanut Butter Lover Approved – A dessert dream come true if you love both!
What You’ll Need
Almond Flour - This is what give the tart base its chewy exterior and soft interior.
Vanilla Protein Powder - Adds protein, texture, and a little bit of sweetness to the base of the tart without adding extra sweetener
Coconut Oil - Adds a buttery flavor and texture to the base without any dairy or refined oils.
Maple Syrup - Adds a tiny bit of extra moisture and sweetness to the base and the caramel and is a lower glycemic option.
Peanut Butter - It makes up the bulk of the caramel, giving it that rich, silky texture and a delicious peanut butter flavor.
Almond Milk - It thins out the caramel just enough to make it more spreadable—without needing to add extra maple syrup.
Chocolate Covered Pretzels - You can use whatever brand you like but I love using Unreal brand for a lower sugar option.
Flaky Sea Salt - This is technically optional but highly recommended. If you’ve never topped your baked goods with Maldon Sea Salt let this be your sign.
How To Make
Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare an 8 inch springform pan with nonstick spray.
In a bowl, mix together the almond flour, protein powder, coconut oil, and maple syrup. Press the dough into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes until lightly golden around the edges and set in the middle. Let cool completely.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, maple syrup, and almond milk until thick (but spreadable) and smooth. Pour it over the cooled tart and spread to the edges with a spatula. Place in the fridge for 1 hour so that the caramel can set up a bit.
Remove the tart from the springform pan.
Press the chocolate covered pretzels into the caramel and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Cut into slices and enjoy!
Recommended Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes — this tart is perfect for prepping ahead. Bake the crust and layer in the filling up to 2–3 days in advance. Store covered in the fridge, but don’t add the pretzels until just before serving.
Do I have to use chocolate covered pretzels?
No! Feel free to use regular pretzels and just add a drizzle of melted chocolate over the whole tart. Or, feel free to leave out the chocolate if you prefer.
Is the caramel filling cooked?
No — it’s a no-cook caramel made with peanut butter, maple or date syrup, and a splash of coconut milk!
Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Pretzel Tart
This High Protein Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Pretzel Tart is dairy-free, gluten-free, and made with wholesome ingredients like almond flour and maple syrup. It’s the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and satisfying—complete with a soft baked crust, creamy peanut butter caramel layer, and a crunchy pretzel topping.
Ingredients
Instructions
Like This Recipe?
💡 More high protein recipes you’ll love: [Banana Chocolate Chip Baked Oats] / [High Protein Sugar Cookie] / [Chocolate Chip Hotcake]