Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or foil for easy removal and cleanup.
Prepare the Pretzels: Spread the mini pretzels in a single layer in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. You may break some of the pretzels to fit snugly, but try to cover the entire bottom of the dish.
Make the Caramel: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the brown sugar and stir constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved, and the mixture starts to bubble. Let it simmer for about 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
Pour the Caramel: Pour the caramel mixture evenly over the pretzels, ensuring all the pretzels are covered.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 10–12 minutes, or until the caramel is bubbly and slightly browned around the edges.
Add Chocolate Chips: Remove the dish from the oven and immediately sprinkle the chocolate chips over the hot caramel layer. Let them sit for 2–3 minutes to soften, then use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate into an even layer over the caramel.
Cool: Let the bars cool completely at room temperature or place them in the fridge for about 30 minutes to speed up the cooling process. Once cooled, cut them into squares or bars.
Serve: Enjoy these sweet, salty, and crunchy caramel pretzel crack bars!
