These Reindeer Pretzel Bites are cute snacks that are super fun to make! With salty pretzels, sweet chocolate, and festive toppings, they’re a holiday treat everyone will love.
I’ll admit, I can’t resist a good chocolate-covered snack! Plus, making these little reindeer is a great way to bring some cheer to any gathering. Grab your holiday sprinkles and enjoy! 🎄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Mini Pretzel Twists: These create the main face of the reindeer. If you can’t find mini pretzels, you can use regular-sized pretzels, but cut them to fit more easily.
Chocolate Candies: Chocolate-covered candies like Rolos are perfect for the heads. If you want a healthier option, consider dark chocolate for a richer taste.
Peanut Butter Drops: I love using peanut butter candies for the snouts, but if you have nut allergies, opt for caramel candies instead—they work just as well!
Candy Eyes: You can buy candy eyes or pipe your own using melted white chocolate and dotting with a black edible marker for a personal touch!
How Do I Assemble These Adorable Reindeer?
Assembling the reindeer might seem tricky, but it’s really fun! Follow these clear steps to ensure a successful build:
- Start by laying out the mini pretzel twists—this helps you visualize your reindeer assembly line.
- Gently press a chocolate candy onto each pretzel twist. Don’t press too hard or it might crack!
- For the antlers, use small pretzel pieces with branches and poke them into the top of the chocolate candy. Make sure they sit firmly.
- For the eyes, drop some melted chocolate for glue; stick the candy eyes in place carefully.
- Attach the peanut butter drop at the bottom of the chocolate candy to form a snout, then add a red mini M&M as the nose!
- Finally, let everything sit to harden. The fridge can speed this up, but room temperature works too.
Have fun creating your reindeer, and don’t forget to let your creativity shine—each one can have its own personality!
Reindeer Pretzel Bites
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Reindeer Faces:
- 24 mini pretzel twists (for the reindeer faces)
- 24 chocolate-covered candies or chocolate melts (such as Rolo or chocolate discs)
For the Antlers:
- 24 small pretzel pieces with branches (for the antlers)
For the Snouts and Noses:
- 24 small peanut butter drops or peanut butter candies (for the snouts)
- 24 red mini M&M’s or red candy-coated chocolates (for the noses)
For the Eyes:
- 48 candy eyes (found in baking/craft stores or made with icing)
- Melted chocolate or candy melts (to use as glue)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This fun and festive recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare, plus a little time to let the chocolate set. In no time, you’ll have a delightful batch of reindeer treats ready for sharing!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preparing the Base:
Start by laying out the 24 mini pretzel twists on a clean work surface or a baking sheet. This will make it easier to assemble your reindeer.
2. Adding the Chocolate Head:
Place one chocolate candy on each pretzel twist. Gently press it down so it sticks a bit but doesn’t crush the pretzel.
3. Attaching the Antlers:
Next, take two small pretzel pieces and place them at the top of each chocolate candy to resemble antlers. Press lightly so they fit securely.
4. Creating the Eyes:
Now, using a small dot of melted chocolate as glue, attach two candy eyes just above the center of the chocolate candy to make them look like adorable reindeer!
5. Forming the Snout:
Add a peanut butter drop or similar candy right below the chocolate candy to form the snout of the reindeer.
6. Finishing with the Nose:
Dab a bit of melted chocolate onto a red mini M&M and carefully place it on top of the peanut butter drop to finish off the nose!
7. Setting the Treats:
Allow the pretzel reindeer bites to set at room temperature, or to speed up the process, place them in the fridge briefly until the melted chocolate has hardened.
8. Serving Your Creations:
Once set and ready, arrange your festive reindeer bites on a pretty plate and serve them up at your next holiday gathering! They’re sure to delight everyone!
Enjoy your adorable and delicious Reindeer Pretzel Bites — they make a perfect treat for holiday parties or as a fun seasonal snack!
Can I Use Different Candies for the Snouts and Noses?
Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of peanut butter, feel free to substitute with caramel candies for the snouts. For the noses, any red candy like cherry sours or red gumdrops can work well too!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover Reindeer Pretzel Bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to stay fresh longer, you can refrigerate them, but let them come to room temperature before serving for the best taste.
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can! These treats can be made a day in advance. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh and prevent them from getting soggy.
What If I Can’t Find Pretzel Antlers?
If you don’t have small pretzel pieces with branches for the antlers, you can cut larger pretzel sticks into smaller pieces, or use mini pretzel rods for a similar effect. Get creative!