Reindeer Pretzel Rods are sweet and salty holiday snacks that are as easy to make as they are delicious to eat. This 5-ingredient, kid-friendly recipe is fun for little helping hands and creates festive munchable Christmas treats in only 10 minutes.
Cute Christmas Reindeer Pretzel Rods – An easy Christmas treat
These Reindeer Pretzel Rods feature our favorite red-nosed Christmas character, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, in an edible form. This recipe makes it so easy to keep up with the holiday hustle by preparing party-pleasing goodies without the hassle of baking.
Simply dip pretzel rods in melted chocolate and decorate with candy eyes, a red pearl nose, and pretzel antlers–it’s the cutest Christmas craft and a delicious dessert to eat.
The holidays wouldn’t be complete without spending time in the kitchen with the kids, decorating (and devouring) fun and festive treats. This recipe is perfect for the littlest of helpers who are looking to feed Santa on Christmas Eve and awaken to find the food gone and presents in its place.
Don’t let your “herd” go hungry this season!
Why We Love This Reindeer Pretzel Rods Recipe
- Quick and easy to make using only 5 simple ingredients.
- Festive, cute munchable holiday treats!
- Fun to make with kids and delicious for all to eat.
- Reindeer recipes are adorable and so simple!
- Make them in bulk for a school party, give them as homemade holiday gifts for teachers, or serve them on Christmas cookie trays.
- Perfect party favors, snacks, and centerpieces.
Ingredients / Shopping List
- Meltable milk or dark chocolate: These can be found in the baking aisle at craft stores.
- Large pretzel rods
- Candy eyeballs
- Red candy pearls: You can find these in the baking aisle at craft stores. If you cannot find them, red M&M’s, sixlets, or cinnamon candies will work too.
- Pretzel twists
Substitutions and Additions
- Reindeer Recipes: There are so many ways you can create your own reindeer treats. Using this same basic recipe, simply substitute the pretzel rod with your favorite foods. Some ideas include:
- Reindeer Pretzel Bites
- Chocolate Covered Oreo Reindeer Cookie
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Bark
- Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats
- Reindeer Cookies
- Reindeer Reese’s Cups
- Reindeer Cake Pops
- Christmas Cupcakes: Use these Reindeer Pretzel Rods as cupcake toppers or decorate your homemade cupcakes with candy eyeballs, red candy pearl noses, and pretzel twist antlers.
- Snowman Pretzel Rods: Dip your pretzel rods in white chocolate, then spear some marshmallows on top for a fluffy, friendly snowman!
- Dip And Decorate: Get creative! Dip your pretzel rods in chocolate and decorate with sprinkles, frosting, or coat them in crushed candy.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Microwave safe bowl
- Straight edge knife and cutting board
- Piping bag or sandwich bag
SEE FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD BELOW
How to Make the Recipe
Our Reindeer Pretzel Rods are a super easy holiday treat that only takes minutes to make! The perfect recipe to make with the kids!
- Melt chocolate in the microwave until completely melted.
Pro Tip: If you do not have meltable chocolate pieces, you can use chocolate chips and heat them over a double boiler until they’re melted and smooth. - Dip one end of the pretzel rods into the melted chocolate, covering about half of the rod.
Pro Tip: You can pour the chocolate into a tall glass or keep it in the microwave safe bowl.
- Place chocolate dipped rod on parchment lined baking sheet.
- Place 2 candy eyes and a red pearl nose on the chocolate of each rod and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
- Make the antlers by cutting pieces of the pretzel twists.
- Pour melted chocolate into a piping bag or sandwich bag and cut the tip off of the bag.
Pro Tip: If the melting chocolate has hardened, reheat it in the microwave in 30 second increments and then add it to a piping bag. When cutting the tip off of the sandwich bag, the cut should be very small. You only want a small amount coming out at a time. - On the back side of each rod, pipe a small amount of chocolate and place the pretzel “antlers” into the chocolate.
- Once you have affixed all of the antlers to the rods, return the baking tray to the refrigerator and let set for another 10 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips
- If you have broken pieces of the large pretzel sticks, you can always turn them into “baby reindeer”.
- It is wise to get the 16-ounce package of pretzel twists due to many breaking incorrectly when cutting them for antlers. The leftover pieces can be used in other recipes or as snacks!
- When cutting the tip off of the sandwich bag, the cut should be very small. You only want a small amount coming out at a time.
Storage Tips
- To Store: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for as long as they will last!
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is one of the many great chocolate-covered treats that does very well stored at room temperature. Make sure to store your Reindeer Pretzel Rods in an airtight container. The pretzel components can still get stale if exposed to the air, so protect the crunch as long as you can!
A double boiler is a method of melting chocolate that keeps it from seizing or burning. You can buy a double boiler, or use items you already have in your kitchen to create your own double boiler.
In a small saucepan, pour about 1 cup of water in the bottom and place a larger, heatproof bowl on top. Place the chocolates in the heatproof bowl. Heat the water in the saucepan over the stovetop, with the bowl and chocolates on top. The steam from the boiling water in the saucepan will slowly heat and melt the chocolates in a way that will keep them from burning. Keep an eye on the temperature so that the water doesn’t boil out and burn you. It’s the surest way to melt chocolate, especially for those of us who dislike the microwave!
Other Easy Christmas Treat Recipes
- Melted Snowman Chocolate Bark
- Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups
- Christmas Tree Brownie Cups
- Chex Mix Christmas Crack
- Peanut Butter Penguins
- Melted Snowman Cookies
- Meringue Wreath Cookies
- Strawberry Santas
- Reindeer Rice Krispies Treats
- Christmas Mints
- Candy Christmas Trees
Reindeer Pretzel Rods
Ingredients
- 12 ounce package meltable milk or dark chocolate (these can be found in the baking aisle at craft stores)
- 20-24 large pretzel rods (about one package)
- Candy eyeballs
- Red candy pearls (found in the baking aisle at craft stores) If you cannot find these, red m&m’s, sixlets, or cinnamon candies will work
- 16 ounce package pretzel twists
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Place the meltable chocolate into a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval until the chocolate has completely melted. (If you do not have meltable chocolate pieces, you can use chocolate chips and heat them over a double broiler until they’re melted and smooth).
- You can pour the chocolate into a tall glass or keep it in the microwave safe bowl. Slowly dip one end of the pretzel rods into the chocolate, making sure to cover about half of the rod. Place the rod on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Place two candy eyes and a red pearl on the chocolate. Set them in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to harden. Set the melting chocolate aside, as you will use this later.
- While the rods are setting in the refrigerator, place a few pretzel twists on a cutting board. With a straight edge knife, gently cut pieces of the twists to make the antlers. Many pieces will break, but you’ll only need enough pieces so that each reindeer has two.
- After ten minutes, pull the baking tray out of the refrigerator and set aside.
- If the melting chocolate has hardened, reheat it in the microwave in 30 second increments. Once the chocolate has reheated, pour it into a piping bag or sandwich bag and cut the tip off of the bag. *see note in “tips” section.
- Turn the rod around to the back side and pipe a small amount of chocolate onto the back. Place the pretzel “antlers” into the chocolate and set the rod aside to harden once more. Once you have affixed all of the antlers to the rods, return the baking tray to the refrigerator and let set for another 10 minutes.
- Remove after 10 minutes and serve.
Jenn’s Notes
- If you have broken pieces of the large pretzel sticks, you can always turn them into “baby reindeer”.
- It is wise to get the 16-ounce package of pretzel twists due to many breaking incorrectly when cutting them for antlers. The leftover pieces can be used in other recipes or as snacks!
- When cutting the tip off of the sandwich bag, the cut should be very small. You only want a small amount coming out at a time.
what did you use in the bowl to stand up the pretzels so you can use it as a center piece?
That is sugar!