These fun Reindeer Pretzel Bites are a delightful treat! Made with crunchy pretzels, chocolate, and a cute candy nose, they’re perfect for holiday snacking.
They’re super easy to make, and let’s face it, the kids will have a blast helping. I just love how they turn out cute and yummy! 🦌❤️
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Crescent Roll Dough: This is the base for your reindeer bites. If you want to go homemade, use your favorite dough recipe. For a healthier option, consider using whole wheat dough or biscuit dough instead.
Pretzel Twists: Any small pretzel works for antlers. You can swap mini pretzels for larger ones if that’s all you have. Just make sure they fit well on top!
Candy Eyes: If you can’t find candy eyes, you could use chocolate chips or even piped icing for the eyes. The look will be a bit different, but still adorable!
Red Candy-Coated Chocolates: Use red M&Ms or Skittles. If you want to get creative, try using small round red fruit snacks or even cherries.
How Do I Get the Dough Just Right?
Getting the crescent dough to bake well is key. Here are some tips to ensure your bites come out fluffy and golden:
- Make sure your oven is preheated properly; this helps the dough puff up nicely.
- Aim for a light brush of melted butter rather than drenching them. This helps them brown evenly.
- Keep an eye on them as they bake—every oven is a bit different!
These steps will help you achieve perfect reindeer bites every time. Have fun with the decoration part, as that’s where the magic happens!
Reindeer Pretzel Bites
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 tube (about 8 oz) crescent roll dough
- 1 bag (about 10 oz) small pretzel twists or mini pretzels (for antlers)
- 24 candy eyes
- 12 red candy-coated chocolates (such as red M&Ms or Skittles) for noses
- 12 small marshmallows (optional, for securing eyes and nose)
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1/2 tsp coarse sea salt (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe will take about 15 minutes of preparation time, plus an additional 10 minutes for baking. You’ll enjoy tasty reindeer treats in just about 25 minutes, including some cooling time. Perfect for a quick holiday snack!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First things first! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While that’s warming up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat to avoid sticking.
2. Prepare the Dough:
Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into triangles. Cut each triangle in half lengthwise, so you have smaller pieces to work with. This will make it easier to form the reindeer bites.
3. Shape the Dough:
Roll each small piece of dough into a ball and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure to space them about 1 inch apart so they have room to expand while baking.
4. Add the Antlers:
Take two mini pretzels and press them gently into the top of each dough ball to create the antlers for your reindeer. It’s starting to look festive already!
5. Butter and Season:
Brush each dough ball and pretzels lightly with melted butter. If you’d like, sprinkle a little coarse sea salt on top for that perfect salty-sweet combo.
6. Bake Them Up:
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until the bites are golden brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning!
7. Cool Off:
Once they’re done baking, take them out and let them cool for about 5 minutes. This helps set everything nicely.
8. Decorate the Faces:
Now comes the fun part! Using a little melted butter or marshmallow fluff, attach two candy eyes to each reindeer bite. Be creative and make them look adorable!
9. Add the Noses:
Next, place one red candy nose below the eyes on each reindeer. This will give them that festive touch we’re all looking for!
10. Let Them Set:
Allow the decorated bites to set so that everything sticks well. This shouldn’t take long at all!
11. Serve and Enjoy:
Finally, arrange your delightful reindeer pretzel bites on a serving plate, and they’re ready to shine at your holiday gatherings. Enjoy these adorable festive treats!
These little reindeer pretzel bites make delightful snacks for holiday parties or fun family gatherings!
Can I Use Store-Bought Dough Instead of Homemade?
Yes, using pre-made crescent roll dough makes this recipe super easy and quick! It’s perfect for a festive treat without the fuss of making dough from scratch.
What Can I Use Instead of Candy Eyes?
If you can’t find candy eyes, you can use small chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, or even pipe icing to create eyes. They’ll still look adorable!
How to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover reindeer bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also refrigerate them, but they might lose their crispiness.
Can I Freeze These Pretzel Bites?
Absolutely! You can freeze the baked reindeer bites for up to a month. Just be sure to let them cool completely, then wrap them tightly before freezing. Thaw them in the fridge and reheat for the best taste!
